calling all cichlid experts...

tidioute06

tidioute06

AC Members
Mar 11, 2008
346
0
16
Glendale, AZ
So I have done some research on what I need to do for a cichlid community tank. I'm planning a Lake Malawi tank.
Here's what I have discovered in my journey around the net.

Ph: should be between 7.4-8.6. I plan on using crushed coral in the sump to achieve the desired PH levels. I'm shooting for 8.0 which seems to be the "norm" for a cichlid tank.

Temp: I've seen anywhere from 74f to 80f. I plan running around 76f.

I have a 125gallon tank with a 75 gallon sump. I plan on doing water changes ever Monday, Wednesday, Friday each being around 25%.

The structure of the tank will be a sand bottom with little pea gravel in certain area. I plan on planting a few swords some vals and java fern/moss.
I've put a few large granite boulders in the tank and have a nice structure built up for "caves" I plan on adding more rock to make atleast 1 more cave.
I understand the cichlids love to thrash plants but i'm determined to try and plant this tank out atleast some.

I plan on buying from www.bluegrassaquatics.com. Any feedback from anyone who has used this company would be helpful.
If any of this info is wrong or if anyone knows anything else I should know about these beauties that would be great!
Thanks folks.
 
I designed the system to make water changes really easy. takes about 10min to do 25% and I dont have to haul any water. The hardness of my well water is **** near perfect from what i've been reading (300ppm). The ph though is lower than I would like (7.2-7.6 depending on how much rain we've had).
 
You can google for few types fof plants that will do well in hard water as most plants wont do well even w/o Vegetaians. I could only think of just few as it has been few decades since trying plants in hard water (Anubias Sp, Sagittaria Sp, Echinodorus Sp. Some Aponogeton Sp, Some Crpt Sp. but never at 8.0)

Good Luck and post pics when ready!
 
I keep all my plants with pH a little over 8.0 without problems. Plants are not affected by water chemistry within a certain range.

Vals, java ferns, and anubias have done well for me with africans.

And 3x a week is nothing compared to some tanks that get changed daily.

With your GH you are fine. It's hard enough for the cichlids and pH doesn't have an effect on fish anyways.
 
lol actually I have that and AC open atm. kinda going back and forth. Hope the boss doesnt bust me!
I'm amazed that folks are saying I can put 30-40 cichlids in this tank...seems like a ton to me.
 
If you are referring to the cookie cutters, they are not well thought out IMO. Too stocked. I never really ask around in the forums so I can't say if there are certain people who really know their stuff...but the articles are written well.
 
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