Need advice on first chiclid tank- 37 gallon

M

Misterfishy

Registered Member
Jul 17, 2001
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Rockford, IL
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I have a tall 37 gallon aquarium that was previously used for a high-light planted tank, but I got bored with the plants and decided to try something else. I have in mind a chiclid tank with the hard water types. I've never kept chiclids before (besides anglefish) so I don't know much about how many will fit in the aquarium, which ones are good for communities, or which ones to avoid getting.
I think I like the rocky setup best, but if there are other styles out there I'll check them out. I have to keep the budget low so no special gravels, but I'll have to order rocks since all they have here is limestone.
Before I start getting stuff ready, I need to know a few things.
1. If possible I'd like to grow some plants in the tank among the rocks, do chichlids eat plants or do you think it'd be ok.
2. I know about south american dwarf chiclids, but from what I've heard they need lots of plants, and I'd rather not get caught up on the mess of pruning, fertilizing, etc for large amounts of plants like I had before. Just too much work for me right now. Are there other types of chiclids that stay small or do they all get over 6" like the petstore labels say?
3. Lastly, how much time would you say you spend working on your chichlid tank compared to your other tanks? (Not assuming you only have one chichlid tank, just need to get an idea if these are high maintenance fish).

I'm sure I'll be back with more questions soon, so thanks for helping me out with getting started. The tanks all cleaned out and it's still dry so I can get rocks for it but I want to get started soon. Thanks again.
 
If you are interested in some cichlids without plants look into Lake Malawi, or Lake Tanganyika. I don't own any yet, but I too have asked tons of questions and am doing lots of research, hope this helps. You could also look at my post on my 29g tank. Loads of info there! Good Luck
 
the problem i see is that you have a tall tank and cichlids at least most of them like the bottom of the tank and establish their terroritories there. unless you want angels but i figured since you have kept them before you want to try something new. and since you have a tall tank you cant have too many terroritories and there for cannot have a full stock of cichlids.
 
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I just bought a 36 gallon bow front tank. I have a ll the same questions, so I moving this back to the top of the forum. Come on...there's got to be some good suggestions. What about rams or kribs or discus or........I don't know. Help us out!
 
A couple of Angelfish would be cool...or a couple of Festivums.
I love rams.....they'd lurk near the bottom, and would want some plants or rocks for cover. I haven't had them in a tank with Festivums, not sure how that would work. They were fine with Angelfish.
(I have 2 festivums....one is aggressive, but doesn't do any damage)
I think 2 Angelfish, with the intention of getting them HUGE.....and 2-4 rams......and 6-8 Cory cats would be nice.
I would want some tallish plants........
I had my 29G heavily planted, with plants bought on Ebay....
then I had to use some meds...and missed fertilizing a while.....and most died off.
There are a lot of smaller cichlids that will fit in 'medium' tanks.
I've had checkerboards.......they were cool.....and a few kribs.
(both like the bottom of the tank, and cover)
 
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I believe my tap water runs at roughly 8 for pH. But in this tank I hope to start some CO2, so the pH would end up lower. My gH in this area is about 7, I believe. But, I could test it again to be sure. Thank you for the suggestions. So, if I have rams can I have kribs with them? Is that strange. And, if I get either, it is ok to put cories in there, since they all like the bottem?
 
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