help with new 40 L tank setup ?

[leigh]

help with new 40Ltr tank setup ?

hi there ,

i have recently aquiered a 40Ltr tank (10.5 u.s gallons) for my bed room being not a very big tank im having problems deciding what to put in it ! i really like the idea of cichlids so if any one has any ideas what i can put in it i would really be very grateful. failing that i have a pair of kribs in my 120L set up i could transfer over but what if anythink could i put with them.

many thanks , leigh.

 

[PumaWard]

Is this a 40 liter tank or a 40 gallon long tank?

 

[leigh]

it is a 40 Litre tank

 

[PumaWard]

Okay, I wasn't sure .

I would look into the smaller apisto species, A. cactuoides would be a good place to start. A pair would probably work.

Another option is to have a 1m/2f trio of dwarf shell-dwelling tangayikans, such as N. brevis or L. occelatus (sp?)

HTH

 

[leigh]

I have looked into your suggestions and am hoping i can find these cockatoo dwarf cichlids at one of my lfs i am now wondering obviously due to the size of the tank i can not put to many fish in it how many would you recommend, a pair (1 male / 1 female )
or 2/3 f to 1 male
how many could i keep could i put any think else in with them??
thanks again in advance.

 

[PumaWard]

I would only do a pair in a 10g mainly because females are territorial between themselves and only allow the male to pass in their territory. In a 10g there's only space for one territory.

For tank mates, I would keep them limited. Maybe 2-3 otos or a small shoal of surface dwelling fish (maybe 2 male guppies, shorter fin varieties).

HTH

PS, it was A. cacatuoides , sorry .

 

[leigh]

great , I can't wait now to get it up and cycling , I do hope I can get them from my lfs . would using water or gravel from my other tank help to cycle the water other then doing a fish cycle, i prefer to do it the fishless way.
thanks for your advice.

 

[coolwade]

would using water or gravel from my other tank help to cycle the water other then doing a fish cycle

Absolutely, I do that all the time. I cycled my 56 Gallon in just over a week with gravel from my smaller tank and some of the filter scum.

I have heard plants will speed a cycle as well.

 

[leigh]

brilliant thanks!

 

[PumaWard]

Just a tip,

The water out of your cycled tank won't help as it lacks very much, if any, of the nitrifying bacteria. Gravel and filter material is where the bacteria is at .