New 55G cichlid tank ideas

[anduknodis]

Hey guys i am planning on getting a 55G tank and making it a chiclid tank. First off i am planning on getting some Jack Dempsey's and maybe a few rams. I was wondering what would be some good numbers of these fish to put in. Also, what fish can live happily with cichlids, that arent cichlids, if there are any. I really think that cichlids are pretty cool fish and i just want a good looking tank without much agression in it. I think it would cool to get a blood parrot too, but i don't know if it would get too big or not work well with the cichlids. I am also planning on using sand as a substrate, coudl this potentially cause problems? Also, i know cichlids like their water close to 80 degrees or somewhere around there. Also, do they prefer higher ph's? The P.H. in my current tank is around 7.5-8.
Thank you very much for all your help.

[SKAPSYCHO]

Hello,

A few things jumped out at me with your last post. First of all, multiple Jack Dempseys (which can be very aggressive and reach 8") will not work well in a 55 gallon IMHO. Secondly, mixing even one Jack Dempsey with any type of ram (assuming you mean blue rams, gold rams or Bolivian rams) would be a bad idea, as they do not even pass 3" and are not nearly as aggressive.

I've seen many people get advice that says even a single Jack Dempsey (named after the legendary boxer, no less) may get too big to live happily and healthily in a 55 gallon aquarium.

As far as pH goes, it depends on the fish. African cichlids from Lakes Tanganyika, Victoria and Malawi need higher ph values (as well as other certain water requirements) to survive and thrive. South American cichlids, such as the rams you mentioned, need a slightly acidic pH and soften water to do well.

If you are just starting out, I'd probably recommened testing your tap water and checking the pH value before looking into fish. Assuming you're above a pH of 7 (my tap water is about 7.6), I'd suggest getting some informqation on the Julidochromis genus (example: http://www.aquariacentral.com/species/db.cgi?db=fresh&uid=default&ID=0289&view_records=1 ), aka "julies" as they are great characters and stay a bit smaller, so that several could get along well in your 55 gallon.

Just do your research and you'll be fine. Good luck and keep us posted on your tank progress!

~Skap

[Flowerhorn916]

Jack Dempsey's are a great fish you an esially get several in a 55gal I have 3 around 3" in mine right now with several other fish. They are very mean I had my last 2 in a 55gal for a # of years they grew to over 10" and eventually died around 12+ years old. I would suggest keeping jacks with Red Devlis and Flowehorns other very agressive fish NO RAMS that will not work any day!