Africian Cichlid Advanced Advice
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 pre-drilled 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 maintenance
So far we have yet to locate an affiliate for our aStore from which tanks can be purchased, primarily 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.
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 pre-drilled 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 maintenance
So far we have yet to locate an affiliate for our aStore from which tanks can be purchased, primarily 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 the most important decision you will need to make. Take your time and make sure to make a choice that will work best for you.
Basically the more filtration you can provide the better. A word of caution; cichlids are diggers and can disturb under gravel filter systems. In addition, under gravel filters tens to trap bad materials, and cause problems over time. If you want to use anything, under your gravel, we recommend building your own under gravel Jet system with PVC pipe and power heads.
Under gravel jet systems are more efficient than under gravel filters, and eliminate the need to clean your gravel weekly. They require the use of PVC pipe,and power heads. A great example of how to build such a system is an article entitled: 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. Bio Bags materials are now available for these type filters as well. This great addition, helps your aquarium to cycle naturally and are very beneficial. Bio Bags should be rinsed every three months to recharge them. Beware, however, do not rinse more than one filer's bio bag, or more than two of the three elements in any one filter at the same time. Never rinse your filter and do a water change at the same time either. Too much change at one time can be deadly for your fish.
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 excellent biological filtration as water constantly runs over their bacteria covered bio balls. These type filters work best with pre-drilled tanks. In addition to the bio balls, 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 additional mechanical hanging filters to provide this type filtration.
All three styles of the above filters, as well and power heads are available through our aStore.
Another option is to use a drip system in combination with Sponge filters. For more information about the drip system, I use, go to my Drip System page.
This may be the most important decision you will need to make. Take your time and make sure to make a choice that will work best for you.
Basically the more filtration you can provide the better. A word of caution; cichlids are diggers and can disturb under gravel filter systems. In addition, under gravel filters tens to trap bad materials, and cause problems over time. If you want to use anything, under your gravel, we recommend building your own under gravel Jet system with PVC pipe and power heads.
Under gravel jet systems are more efficient than under gravel filters, and eliminate the need to clean your gravel weekly. They require the use of PVC pipe,and power heads. A great example of how to build such a system is an article entitled: 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. Bio Bags materials are now available for these type filters as well. This great addition, helps your aquarium to cycle naturally and are very beneficial. Bio Bags should be rinsed every three months to recharge them. Beware, however, do not rinse more than one filer's bio bag, or more than two of the three elements in any one filter at the same time. Never rinse your filter and do a water change at the same time either. Too much change at one time can be deadly for your fish.
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 excellent biological filtration as water constantly runs over their bacteria covered bio balls. These type filters work best with pre-drilled tanks. In addition to the bio balls, 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 additional mechanical hanging filters to provide this type filtration.
All three styles of the above filters, as well and power heads are available through our aStore.
Another option is to use a drip system in combination with Sponge filters. For more information about the drip system, I use, go to my Drip System page.
Illness
Despite every ones best efforts, occasionally an African Cichlid will develop an illness. Some of the more common illnesses that can occur with these fish are ICH and Bacterial infections. For ICH, little white spots that are parasites, I recommend using Quick Cure. This blue liquid will normally work quickly; but will destroy your bio filtration as well. It also kills catfish, so they will needed to be moved and treated with
Ruby Reef Kick ICH instead. Do not combine these medications.
Ruby Reef KicK ICh is supposed to eliminate ICH completerly over 13 days. ICH has a cycle, free swimming parasites infect they fish, than reproduce into a spore like structure that settle into the substrate, rock or plants in the aquarium. The spores then mature into more free swimming parasites. To the best of my knowledge, all other ICH treatments kill the swimming parasites; but not the spores; allowing the ICH to return at a later time. Kick ICH, on the other hand, claims to kill both the swimming parasites and the spores without harming fresh water fish, marine fish, corals, or invertebrates. However, I have found that it does not seem to work on infected African Cichlid Fish. Do not mix these treatments or you will kill all of your fish.
What I do for an ICH outbreak is: remove all stones and treat them with a large dose of Quick-ICh and table Salt (no Iodine). Empty 90 to 95% of the tank water. Refill the tank water with fresh water mixed with Ultimate water conditioner. Return the stones to the tank and begin Quick Cure treatment at one drop per gallon.
Ruby Reef also makes Rally which can be used to treat bacterial infections as well. Both KICH ICH and Rally is cooper free. They can be purchased individually or in a combo pack. Rally has no harmful side effects on the fish. It treats both the fish and the aquaria. Rally is safe on freshwater fish, plants, invertebrates, marine fish, and corals. Neither Rally nor KICH ICH harms biofiltration. Near contain cooper or harmful dyes. Ruby Reef Rally can be used in combination with Kick-ICh; but can not be used with Quick Cure. If a bacterial attack occurs after using Quick Cure, you will need to completely drain the tank, and restart with fresh water before being able to use Ruby Reef Rally.
These three products go a long way in solving most of the fish illness problems that can occasionally occur with fish keeping.
Despite every ones best efforts, occasionally an African Cichlid will develop an illness. Some of the more common illnesses that can occur with these fish are ICH and Bacterial infections. For ICH, little white spots that are parasites, I recommend using Quick Cure. This blue liquid will normally work quickly; but will destroy your bio filtration as well. It also kills catfish, so they will needed to be moved and treated with
Ruby Reef Kick ICH instead. Do not combine these medications.
Ruby Reef KicK ICh is supposed to eliminate ICH completerly over 13 days. ICH has a cycle, free swimming parasites infect they fish, than reproduce into a spore like structure that settle into the substrate, rock or plants in the aquarium. The spores then mature into more free swimming parasites. To the best of my knowledge, all other ICH treatments kill the swimming parasites; but not the spores; allowing the ICH to return at a later time. Kick ICH, on the other hand, claims to kill both the swimming parasites and the spores without harming fresh water fish, marine fish, corals, or invertebrates. However, I have found that it does not seem to work on infected African Cichlid Fish. Do not mix these treatments or you will kill all of your fish.
What I do for an ICH outbreak is: remove all stones and treat them with a large dose of Quick-ICh and table Salt (no Iodine). Empty 90 to 95% of the tank water. Refill the tank water with fresh water mixed with Ultimate water conditioner. Return the stones to the tank and begin Quick Cure treatment at one drop per gallon.
Ruby Reef also makes Rally which can be used to treat bacterial infections as well. Both KICH ICH and Rally is cooper free. They can be purchased individually or in a combo pack. Rally has no harmful side effects on the fish. It treats both the fish and the aquaria. Rally is safe on freshwater fish, plants, invertebrates, marine fish, and corals. Neither Rally nor KICH ICH harms biofiltration. Near contain cooper or harmful dyes. Ruby Reef Rally can be used in combination with Kick-ICh; but can not be used with Quick Cure. If a bacterial attack occurs after using Quick Cure, you will need to completely drain the tank, and restart with fresh water before being able to use Ruby Reef Rally.
These three products go a long way in solving most of the fish illness problems that can occasionally occur with fish keeping.
African Cichlid Advice Page Links: Drip System Compatibility Chart Information on Other Cichlids
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