400 Gallon Stocking ?
- Thread starter Sam Theis
- Start date
6-300 unles you know what fish you want no one can say. there are small ones and big ones..... why dont you go to your lfs and check out what they have. write down the names and come back and look up the names.
What kind of cichlids?
Mixed African -> A couple hundred, but they will breed like rabbits, most likely hybrids which should not be released to the hobby.
Frontosa colony -> 15-20 and breed them.
South American -> Really depends on size, but you could have 3 each of 4/5 different aggressive species plus a lot of dither fish.
Mixed African -> A couple hundred, but they will breed like rabbits, most likely hybrids which should not be released to the hobby.
Frontosa colony -> 15-20 and breed them.
South American -> Really depends on size, but you could have 3 each of 4/5 different aggressive species plus a lot of dither fish.
If you keep south Americans, you can probably keep a decent number if it is different eartheaters, since they are not that aggressive.
severum, festivum, and angels would be good choices for an Amazonian themed tank, and you could add in a couple of urau to spice it up, for they are pretty uncommon.
a breeding colony of calvus would be a great choice for an African cichlid tank
a breeding colony of calvus would be a great choice for an African cichlid tank
I'm sure we all know this, but I have to share anytime I have a chance cause there is toooo much $$ at stake w/ this hobby. My bckgrnd includes owning a FS for a short time a while bck, so this is said w/ more than a bit of authority. To stock any tank specially 1 your size can break the best bank account (unless your last name is Gates) so make sure NOT to hesitate ordering EVERYTHING aside from your tank ONLINE. Average mrk up for equip in your LFS is 300-500%, fish is on average 1200-1500% & that's if you find what you want after you find out what is really available
Here are a few site's I use ANYTIME I need ANYTHING
All site's have VERY respectable return policies, many better than your LFS or LPS. For fish, in your case these will all be Cich site's & in no particular order ( http://www.davesfish.com/ )
( http://www.oldworldexoticfish.com/ )
( http://www.tntcichlids.com/MALAWI.htm )
( http://californiacichlids.com/ )
( http://africancichlidsforsale.com/ )
( http://www.bluechipaquatics.com/ )
( http://www.cichlidstore.com/shipping.html )
( http://www.rivercityaquatics.com/index.php )
( http://www.dykemyster.com/ )
Most all of these site are run by long time hobbyist & or AMA members ( http://www.cichlid.org/TP.html ) & can also be fond on
( http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?fwcichlidsmp&&&&&&&pb=100 )
Rather w/ fish or equip, shipping may look intimidating, don't let it be it can be done w/ amazing ease & as far as price's just divide shipping into item's/fish being purchased. And discounts for "LARGE/BULK" fish order's (usually 12-15 or more at a time) & extra fish for FREE is NOT unheard of & happens allot
For equip it's hard to beat ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Shop.cfm?N=2004 )
maybe ( http://www.aquariumsuppliesforless.com/ ) just haven't found the selection & usually make large purchases once every 3-4 mnths. for chem.'s, test kits, food, ect. & if I find something on the last site they don't always have the whole list so I usually end up going w/ drsF&S.
The best, but not the last. I'm sure you know, but JIC to help maintain buffer capacities I load up my Cich tanks mostly w/ crushed coral for substrate( see drsF&S ) unless your going w/ sand of course either way I pack as much Holey Rock as I can afford
The first & last stop I make is ( http://stores.ebay.com/RockArtSource_Holey-Rock_High-Quality_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ2497591QQftidZ2QQtZkm ) just couldn't say enough about Wayne & Beth @ RockArtSource they really run a first class op as do all the site's above mentioned. Not that you would have allot in a African tank, but RockArtSouce also has an incredible selection of Driftwood & many other specialty item's so it's a def site for me. Everything is cured & GUARANTEED 100% SAFE for any aquarium no ? it doesn't get better, my ONLY ebay site.Many of the fish site's also offer a great way to get to know ALL the genus's that are available, but also 1 last site for incredible profiling of your fish & all round great info ( http://www.cichlid-forum.com/index.php ) Spend allot of time here, they even have a product new review sec & their link's are 1st rate.
All right, I'm sure that's way TMI
but I can't not share givin the forum, so here you go & there you are. If not you, I hope this might help someone, somedayCan't wait to see PIC's during & once you set up, should be most excellent
MY Quote: Any day we can LEARN something new is a GREAT DAY & this is a GREAT DAY
along that same line of thought, you can go to petsmart.com - if their prices are better than others you see online, print out the pages for stuff you need and bring them into the store - they will always price match their online prices, and then you save on shipping as well. most things are about 40% less than the in-store price, based on things i have bought - filter, heater, and other accessories.