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Tank Selection:
To get the most out of the colors that African Cichlids offer, you will need at least a 75 Gallon Tank. With these fish, think, the bigger the tank, the better. Glass or Acrylic does not matter. Depending on your choice of filtration, you may, or may not want to purchase a predrilled tank. Be sure, however, to choose a tank that is best for your individual situation, and that will look good for years to come. A word of caution, if you choose a tall tank style, be sure that you can reach the bottom of the tank to perform proper maintainance.
So far we have yet to locate an affiliate for our aStore from which tanks can be purchased, primarly due to the difficulty, and expense involved, in shipping larger size aquariums. If you live in the Harrisburg, Lancaster, or York, PA area, a good place to purchase aquarium tanks is That Fish Place in Centerville, PA. Filtration:
This may be be the most important decision you will need to make. Take you time and make sure to make a choice that will work best for you.
Basically the more filteration you can provide the better. Start with an undergravel filter or better yet an Undergravel Jet System . For under gravel filters, decide if you want to use two power heads, or four air bubbling lines. There are advantages to either. Power heads provide the most water flow. Air, however, is a necessity for these fish as well. The advantage to using air lines is not having to add air through seperate air stones. Personally, we recommend the power head method fo undergravel filters. A word of caution; cichlids are diggers and can disturbe undergravel filter systems.
Better yet is the use of an undergravel jet sytem. These systems are more efficent than undergravel filters, and elimate the need to clean your gravel weekely. They require the use of PVC pipe, Power heads, and powerhead filters.
A great example of how to build such a system is an article entiltled: Constructing Under-Gravel Jets by Marc Elieson, located at www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php.
Next you must choose what type of main filter(s) you will use. There are basically three styles of filters: Hanging, Canister, and Wet Dry.
If you choose to go with the hanging style filters, we suggest using Aqua Clear 300 or 500 models. If you choose to use this style filter, it should turn the full volume of water in your tank, at least 8 times per hour. For a 75 to 90 gallon tanks this means using three Aqua Clear 300 (300 x 3 = 900 GPH), or two Agua Clear 500 models (500 x 2 = 1000 GPH).
The sponge portion of these filters will need to be washed out weekly. Carbon packs need to be changed once every three months.
Canister models are more efficient than hanging filters. They require less rinsing, usually about once a month. Carbon lasts about three months. However, these models can be difficult to access. If you choose to use this method, be sure to choose a model that is both easy for you to clean, and is large enough for your tank size.
Wet Dry filters provide excellant biological filtration as water constantly runs over their bateria covered bioballs. These type filters work best with predrilled tanks. In addition to the bioballs, choose a Wet Dry filter that also contains an area for carbon, and either a sponge, or other filter material that can be rinsed, or replaced when needed. Other wise you will need additonal mechanical hanging filters to provide this type filtration.
All three syles of the above filters, as well as undergravel filters, and power heads are available through our aStore. |  | | aStore |
Water Changes
Weekly 10 to 15% water changes are a must. One of the best ways to do this is though the use of a spyfin that hooks directly to your sink elimating the need for carrying Buckets to remove dirty water. The best way to add water is to have a spare reserve tank with water that is similar in temperture and PH. This can be done by adding cichlid stones to this tank or buy using buff to condition the water. A heater should be used as well in order to keep the water temperture the same as it is in your cichlid tank.Heating: Cichlids need a tank tempature no lower than 76 F, or higher than 80 F. The best way to accomplish this is by use of submersible heaters. These heaters should have a hard cover, not glass, that is not easily broken. Remeber cichlids are active and they often bump into heaters. For this same reason, hanging heaters will not work in a cichlid tank.
Two heaters are better than one, in case one fails, or gets stuck in the on possition.
The best therometer for a cichlid tank is a digital one that works off a thin prove wire attached to the inside of the tank by a suction cup. Hanging, and floating therometers are likely to break, when bumped by these active fish.
Lighting:
There are a number of lighting sytems on the market to choose from. The closer the light provided is to natural sun light, the better it is for your cichlids. However, newer T5, and other style lighting can be very expensive, and are not necessary. The older fluoresecnt strip lights, with a full spectrum bulb, will still do an adequate job, without breaking your budget.
All lighting should be placed above a glass canople unless its part of a built-in canople, or hood unit.
A glass canople, built-in canople, or hood unit is also necessary, to prevent cichlid fish from jumping out, of the aquarium.
A timer should be used to provide 10 to 12 hours of light.
Ornaments, and, or rock are needed as well to provide both hiding places, and shade areas.
Gravel, Sand, and Ornaments
There are a number of excellant African Cichlid gravel mixes on the market today. In addition to these mixes, crushed coral can be used in a cichlid tank. Some cihlids may require sand in a portion of their tank.
Both specialuty mixes and crushed coral help to maintain proper cichlid PH. You can find several gravel mixes in our aStore.
Cichlids must have places to hide from their agressive tank mates. Rocks, rock wall and cave ornaments are the best way to provide these hiding places. Cichlids are territorial. For this reason, it is best to move these items around, when you do your weekly gravel vac. We recommend Ultimate Aquarium Gravel Vac kits, found in our aStore for this dirty job. They elimate the need to carry away waste water in heavy buckets.
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