125G cichlid tank

[J0NESI]

I have been wanting to do this for a while now and i finally have the money to do it. I am buying a 125g tank for 300$ and building my stand.
(I have built stands before so i know its got to be strong for that weight)

My question is what to put in it and what filteration should i have. I have a 50g tank now with a 2" green terror and a 3" Nic, they are going in the 125, what else can i put in there.

Here is what I am thinking...
1- Nic
1- Green Terror(I can trade or sell him if need be)
2- Convicts(Pair)
1- Jack Dempesy
1- Blackbelt

(I have all these fish i one point but never together)

[Hound]

Can't comment about what fish would be good, but for filtration I'd be thinking of a good sized cannister (in the 150g range) along with a HoB filter rated for better than 100g.

[aknif]

You can see what I have in my 135g cichlid tank below. I have 2 Filstar xp3's on it.

I also have a 125g that has 3 Emperor 400's on it. I'm happy with both setups, so I guess it's just a matter if you're a canister or HOB fan.

I've never owned any of those fish that you have listed there... So i'm not sure what else you could put in there with them.

[VTwinFanatic]

At the LFS that I work at we have trade ins for fish that either get to big or are too aggressive. There is a Black Belt that has been there for atleast 6mths (the length of time ive been there) and he has to be seperated from the others for the most part...he beats up on everything from oscars, to jacks, to flowerhorns, to firemouths, to green terros, etc. There is only one that has been able to hold his own with him...A Midas is the only thing so far that has kicked his butt. I'd take precautions when stocking your tank. And the trade in tank is a 150 also.

[J0NESI]

thanks guys

aknif i have a Emperor 400 on my 50g and i am putting that one on the 125 so i may buy another, i've never use anything other than HoB filters

Do you think the Green Terror will be fine in there as long as I raise him with the rest of the fish cause i heard they get big and mean

Also do you think that is enough fish or could i get one or two more in there without overcrowding

or throw in an idea of a fish that i may on of thought of

[Debra Mark]

Maybe rethink the convicts...you may be overrun with fry....remember the formula....cons+water=babies....lol

[jason2894]

i would say everything should be just fine minus the black belt i have also witnessed them to be very aggressive. i also have a 125 with south americans and i currently run 3 AC 110's and i am planning on adding a fluval 404 to mix also. just remember that all the cichlids u have listed when they reach maturity will be pretty good sized and very messy as far as eating habits and waste production. not to mention if u get a breeding pair of convicts you'll have more fry than u know what to do with. so u may wanna keep that in mind also before u buy the convicts.

[carpediem]

How about a Malawi or Tanganyikan setup?

[J0NESI]

i havent really thought of doing an african tank, I have done that too but not this big. That would be cool.

[carpediem]

I just set up a 125 Tanganyikan and I'm going to move some fish over to it today. You can fit lots of hidey holes in a 125 ;)

[ceatwood]

I'll agree with excluding the blackbelt, and I wouldn't worry so much about the fry of the cons as the erst of them will clean those up for you, but the cons will force everyone one to the side when they spawn and make it a bit uncomforatble for them.

I would also think about canister filters for this in addition to the Emp 400, two Emp 400's alone won't cut it IMO.

2 Emp 400's and a XP3 would rock and two XP3's and a Emp 400 and you would have real nice water!

[carpediem]

Have you looked at the Fluval FX5? I'm putting one in for a client and it rocks.

[Salmang]

I have a 125 that I built my own stand for. It has a 5" mang.f, 5" slavini m, 2 blue acaras, 5 convicts, 2 fire mouths, 3 blood parrots, chinese alg. eaters, and 8" channell cat they all seem to get along to be getting along well that is unless my mang. and salvini decide to cross then I will probably lose some fish. hopefully convicts. LOL