First Cichlid tank

[ws66370]

Well this is my first real fish aquarium since i was a little kid. here is what i have:
30 gal tank
rocks
gravel
1 fake plant
3 real plants
3 African cichlids

It was set up about 3 weeks ago and my test kit finally came in. here are my readings
PH: 8.2
temp: 80
Ammonia: .5
Nitrite: 5
Nitrate: 5
just want some advice on how everything looks? where i am in the cycle? how long before i can add a few more fish?

 

[ws66370]

and before everyone tells me i am going to need a bigger tank.....i know..... i got this one for free but plan on upgrading to one that is 75+ as soon as this one is out grown.

 

[FreshFish82]

looks like a good start to me. what are the species in there? and I would give it maybe 1 more week let amonia level get to 0 first b4 adding fish.

 

[b19fish]

awesome tank do u plan to add any catfish to u tank ???

 

[Spewn]

From what I've read and been told, you should see zero ammonia/nitrite before you can consider the cycle complete. At this time, you should be seeing only nitrates. As for what level to try and keep them at, there seems to be some debate and dependance on species.

 

[ws66370]

i am not completely sure on the species. i have been looking around but have not been able to identify them. one is orange with black spots another is black/gray with a little bit of orange on his fins and behind his gills and you can kinda see the yellow one in the picture. i will try to get a better picture of them so some one can help me identify.

i do plan on getting a catfish when i add more fish. think that is a good idea?

 

[kay-bee]

...you should see zero ammonia/nitrite before you can consider the cycle complete....

:iagree:

and before everyone tells me i am going to need a bigger tank.....i know..... i got this one for free but plan on upgrading to one that is 75+ as soon as this one is out grown.

You have a nimbochromis venustus in your tank (from what I can tell in the first and final pic). They're relatively fast growing, get large (~11") and are active swimmers.

I highly recommend getting a 6ft tank for it (which would mean eventually upgrading to 125+, rather than 75+). If you sell or trade the venustus you would only have to upgrade to 55+ if you stock only mbuna species.

 

[Coler]

i do plan on getting a catfish when i add more fish. think that is a good idea?

No, you are already overstocked for that tank, as you know.

Those ammonia and nitrite levels will kill your fish. Do water changes to keep below .25 ppm on each, at all times. Use a good liquid drop test kit to verify.

Your fish in particular as African Rift Lake cichlids are extremely intolerant of ammonia, nitrite above 0 and it will kill them.