Planning for a cichlid tank

[Sheldon]

Hi

I'm new so apologies if you have an area for these type of questions and I'm not in the right spot.

I'm planning for a cichlid tank. I've got a 90L aquaone 620 that should be here next week. I've done some research on cycling tanks and am going to use ammonia to fishlessly cycle the tank.

I would like to keep about 2 - 3 electric yellows, 2 of another small compatible cichlid and a bristlenose. Total 5 - 6 fish.

I understand that rock is good in the tank especially Texas holey rock and that driftwood is needed for the bristlenose.

I know nothing about hardness but that it is important for the PH and that is where the rock comes into play.

So my question is is there anything blaringly wrong with the above? I took a walk through my lfs today and there were so many buffers and conditioners and salts for cichids that I'm scared that I'm missing something important.

Any assistance gratefully appreciated. I've killed too many fish in the past so I want to make sure I have everything right before I get started this time.

Thanks

[frankenstrat]

youve got the right idea roughly.

use coral sand as a substrate and add a piece of holey rock and youll be fine with ph, you could also add a small piece of driftwood for the BN to chew on, i personally couldnt give a toss what my hardness is...i also use coral sand and holey rock.

i use seachem prime water conditioner

and i add 1/2 tsp of sea salt and 1/2 tsp of epsom salt per 20 litres and thats about it.

other than that you will need good biological and mechanical filtration.

as for fish, one of the other placid mbuna would be good, but i would keep it to about 6 fish in a tank that size unless you have filtration that is overkill.

[Link2Hell]

Hi Sheldon

welcome to ACE

good thinking to get your basics right first so we need to know

what are the water parameters in your area, there is no suburb listed

what filtration will you be using

what substrate

once these are known then you will have a idea of what you will need to buffer

there are some good products and every one has their preferred brands

Seachem and Aquasonic are my preferred or you can make your own

the tank is basically a tall 2' so the fish holding may be best as a single species

of 5 or 6 and some bristlenose cats

make sure there is enough room for the fish to swim so use THR as a central structure

without filling the tank with it

a piece of driftwood won't worry the water parameters once the tank is buffered and

an alkaline substrate is used

your right about the hardness as it is the calcium in hardness buffing that stabilizes the pH

[Sheldon]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in the Illawarra. I'm not sure what the tap water properties are other than that it has a PH higher than my basic kit. I'm getting a master kit for when I cycle so I will have a better idea then.

Filtration is a trickle wet / dry system that is supplied with the tank incorporated into the lid.

I've looked into substrate and I'm pretty sure I'm getting argonite or crushed coral. Need to double check with my lfs.

Been checking out the cost of THR - gosh that stuff is pricey! might just be a small piece to start with

[mace990]

Hi Sheldon,

We enjoy pretty good water here in the illawarra, the PH is good straight from the tap, I use coral sand substrate (about1.5in thick layer) and this keeps the PH happy in between water changes.

As for the hardness, I find that the GH (general hardness) is okay, but the KH (carbonate hardness) is a little low.

Although the KH is low, I have successfully held fish without increasing it with KH salt or whatever.

I do weekly 20 percent water changes and add some aquasonic rift lake salt at the same time. Also I now use Aquasonic carbonate hardness generator, but like I said I have skipped the latter in the past.

These are all available locally and online, PM me if unsure.

Good luck with the cycling.