Setting up my African Cichlid Tank

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Goodcreature

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Sep 9, 2011
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I bought my 55 gal. tank about a year and a half ago with a plan already made for stocking, aqua-scape, and breeding. In short: it didn't go exactly as I planned, as most first-time tanks tend to for some reason.:wall: About nine months ago, I made another plan; six months ago I bought the light I needed for the plan; three months ago, I bought the driftwood that I wanted; yesterday, I bought some plants that I would need; today, I put it together!

Right now I just added the driftwood and the sand, so it's a bit cloudy. photo(8).JPGphoto(9).JPGphoto(11).JPGphoto(13).JPG

My fishies saw me get close to the tank, so they were glass-surfing to get food. They're always hungry... Just in case anyone asks, they're Peacock cichlids.

I'll take some more pictures tomorrow when the tank clears up, then I can start actually getting all the plants that I need and placing them where I want them.

photo(8).JPG photo(9).JPG photo(11).JPG photo(13).JPG
 

Goodcreature

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Sep 9, 2011
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Okay, took more pictures. The tank has really cleared up, but it's still a little cloudy. I also got some shots of the fish. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get fish to stay still.:)

Just a note: I would really appreciate some thoughts on how I could make the tank look nicer, since this is my first true attempt. I don't mind complements, but what I would really like to hear is advice on how to improve the tank. Please don't feel as if you need to be polite.;)IMG_20121105_090443.jpgIMG_20121105_090524.jpgIMG_20121105_090554.jpgIMG_20121105_091120.jpgIMG_20121105_091458.jpgIMG_20121105_093823.jpgIMG_20121105_093934.jpgIMG_20121105_094316.jpgIMG_20121105_094341.jpgIMG_20121105_094501.jpg

The one with the light blue in his dorsal fin is what appears to be the dominant male in the tank. These aren't any particular breed; I bought the mother (OB Peacock) while carrying her fry from an lfs. She was in a mixed Peacock tank, but I think the father was a Red Shoulder Peacock. I don't know.

Don't worry, breeders: I'm not going to sell them as purebred.;)

IMG_20121105_090443.jpg IMG_20121105_090524.jpg IMG_20121105_090554.jpg IMG_20121105_091120.jpg IMG_20121105_091458.jpg IMG_20121105_093823.jpg IMG_20121105_093934.jpg IMG_20121105_094316.jpg IMG_20121105_094341.jpg IMG_20121105_094501.jpg
 

Goodcreature

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Just an apology to the moderators. I'm sorry I posted my thread on the wrong sub-forum; didn't mean to give you guys more work to do...:)
 

Pittbull

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A lot of Peacocks we see in the hobby are Hybrids, there are also some that are not so do not feel as to apologize for these, I would apply a dark background and add some rock structures on each side of the tank as these guys prefer some hiding spots if not with rock add some more wood..
 

Goodcreature

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Great, thank you! I definitely plan on adding some rock to the left side of the tank, I just haven't quite yet decided which ones and how. I have some different layouts in my head and I'll see if I can get some pictures of them tomorrow. I wanted to attach either some Java fern or Anubias to the rock, so right now I'm testing them in the back of the tank. Also, I don't plan on keeping all of these fish once they mature. In fact, I might only keep one of the males, but definitely a few of the females. I have one other mature male that I'd like to move into this tank; I'm just waiting for these guys to get bigger or be sold before I do. (He's eaten some of them. There are 12 now; there used to be 21...) With that being the case, I don't believe I'll need a whole lot more hiding places than I already have, but I definitely want some more.

I'll see if I can find some black or dark wrapping paper to tape to the back of the tank. You're right; I think that would look very nice! It'd be a good contrast with the (eventual) colors of the fish and the plants (once I actually plant them).

Just wanted to mention that I caught a male trying to mate with a female today, and later I saw another one digging a spawning hole. I didn't think that they would begin to be sexually active this early!
 

Glabe

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May 10, 2011
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Just wanted to mention that I caught a male trying to mate with a female today, and later I saw another one digging a spawning hole. I didn't think that they would begin to be sexually active this early!
kids these days...
 

Pittbull

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LOL.... Well most Mbuna Malawi will start to breed or go through the motion of spawning around 2" whether or not their successful is another thing.. As for backgrounds i paint all of mine with black latex paint with a roller brush.. Anubias will look nice to attach to your decor.. As for hiding spots its always nice for whoever is getting the wrath of the dominant fish to escape..
 

Goodcreature

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As for hiding spots its always nice for whoever is getting the wrath of the dominant fish to escape..
I was wondering about that. Do you think there would be more bullying/harassing in a breeding harem or in an all male tank? In the harem, I'd prefer to have about 4-5 females, but I've never tried all males before.
 

Pittbull

ALL BOW DOWN TO THE FIN GODS
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Its either or, if it is an all male setup there will def be aggression and a need for retreat to shelter and the same for females if the male breeds with her and she is not ready again he will harass her to a point of exhaustion or may harass another female, thats why it is important to provide shelters for each fish so that they know they can escape.. Usually a fish that is harassed is a fish that is stressed and can bring on disease..
 
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