I Have An Empty 29G Tank

Spider_Song said:

I have an empty 29G tank that I would like to turn into a cichlid tank. It's nowhere close to being set up but I would like advice as to what cichlids would do well in a 29G tank. To cycle it I would like to do a fish in cycle rather than a fishless cycle. What would be the best way to go about that?

All advice is welcome, thank you!

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Do you have another tank running? seeding the new tank with bacteria from another tank would be ideal.. just move over some filter media or something.

maybe have a good read through this thread also :-

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?84598

Cichlids in a 29..gotta stay with dwarves, apistos,..or two or three angels.

I'll echo my comments on fish-less vs. fish cycling that I already posted in your 20g thread...

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?277765-New-20G-Tank-(8-Viewing)

And add that the link doug posted lays out the actual process pretty well.

In addition to the suggestions by Captain Jim, I'll also add that there are quite a few smaller species from Lake Tanganyika (rift lake) that would fit in a 29g...but that would be a completely different layout.

To be safe, I would stay well away from just about any Lake Malawi/Mbuna species, any of the larger and more aggressive Central/South American species, discus, etc.

I'd be hesitant to suggest a fish in cycle with cichlid's particulary SA cichlids as most are very sensitive to water conditions.

if you attempt fish in maybe start with a a school of small fish or a single cichlid but.. you will need to be ready to do large water changes daily until the tank cycles.

Heavily planted tank with 2 pairs of GBR's, 6 or 7 Cherry Barbs, and 5 Panda Cories.

As for cycling, start with plants first. Cherry Barbs are inexpensive so once plants are set and growing, add a few. Once you get the number you want, add the Cories. After they've settled in, add the Rams. If you allow 4 weeks between each phase, you shouldn't have any problems.


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Jpappy is probably referring to shelldwellers? Forgot them..they would be fun.

"Shellies" would probably be the better option IMO if you're going for a Tanganyika tank, mostly because I'm a big fan of them...but there might be some other Neo/lamprologus that would work, or some of the smaller Julidochromis species maybe.