Oh no....

ss · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 6

Please keep a watchful eye on your new cichlid tank. It typically
takes more than 2 weeks to cycle a tank, and yet you have thrown in 15
cichlids in just that time, which are typically more sensitive than
trops.

watch the nitrite/nitrate levels

cheers

On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 22:35:13 GMT, "Gary"
wrote:

>OK guys,
>
>Setup my 100 litre 3ft tank two month ago, has a variety of Guppies, Neons
>and Mollies. A catfish or 2, as well. Had good fun with it, really enjoyed
>setting it up.
>
>Bitten by the bug, 2 weeks ago, I get my 300 litre 4ft bow front aquarium,
>which now houses 15 cichlids of various descriptions. Not only is the
>aquarium much more stunning than its younger brother, but the fish are so
>much more beautiful than anything in my little 3ft baby tank. I am now
>feeling demotivated with the first setup, and want to advance my cichlid
>hobby even further Sad

.
>
>I am tempted to put an ad in the paper offering the fish for free to anyone
>with a suitable tank, and then get even more cichlid for the 3ft tank
>(Obviously not as many!).
>
>Anyone else experience this? Hopefully it will pass, and I will start
>enjoying the smaller tank and its occupents again....but those cichlids,
>WOW!
>
>Regards,
>
>Gary.
>

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>cichlids

NetMax · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 614

"Gary" wrote in message $Ar5.2929@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> OK guys,
>
> Setup my 100 litre 3ft tank two month ago, has a variety of Guppies,
> Neons and Mollies. A catfish or 2, as well. Had good fun with it,
> really enjoyed setting it up.
>
> Bitten by the bug, 2 weeks ago, I get my 300 litre 4ft bow front
> aquarium, which now houses 15 cichlids of various descriptions. Not
> only is the aquarium much more stunning than its younger brother, but
> the fish are so much more beautiful than anything in my little 3ft baby
> tank. I am now feeling demotivated with the first setup, and want to
> advance my cichlid hobby even further Sad

.
>
> I am tempted to put an ad in the paper offering the fish for free to
> anyone with a suitable tank, and then get even more cichlid for the 3ft
> tank (Obviously not as many!).
>
> Anyone else experience this? Hopefully it will pass, and I will start
> enjoying the smaller tank and its occupents again....but those
> cichlids, WOW!
>
> Regards,
>
> Gary.

I suggest you keep the smaller tank. It'll come in handy with cichlids,
for quarantining new arrivals, for convalescence of injuries, for
spawning purposes, for separating quarrelsome fish, for raising fry etc
etc. You should in fact be looking for more tanks. I think I'm down to
7, but at work I was up to about 108 and when they were all full, I was
still wishing I had more!
--
www.NetMax.tk

Gary · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

OK guys,

Setup my 100 litre 3ft tank two month ago, has a variety of Guppies, Neons
and Mollies. A catfish or 2, as well. Had good fun with it, really enjoyed
setting it up.

Bitten by the bug, 2 weeks ago, I get my 300 litre 4ft bow front aquarium,
which now houses 15 cichlids of various descriptions. Not only is the
aquarium much more stunning than its younger brother, but the fish are so
much more beautiful than anything in my little 3ft baby tank. I am now
feeling demotivated with the first setup, and want to advance my cichlid
hobby even further Sad

.

I am tempted to put an ad in the paper offering the fish for free to anyone
with a suitable tank, and then get even more cichlid for the 3ft tank
(Obviously not as many!).

Anyone else experience this? Hopefully it will pass, and I will start
enjoying the smaller tank and its occupents again....but those cichlids,
WOW!

Regards,

Gary.

Shamrock · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

I got into the hobby 3 or 4 years ago, and got a 10 gallon tank and, like
you, put guppies and played with various livebearers. After gaining more
experience, I ventures with the cichlids and got totally hooked.
I now have a 33 gal tank in my living room with a breeding pair of angels,
and various other fish (platys, painted glass, harlequin rasboras, neons,
catfish and plecos) and I still have my 10 gallon with nothing but guppies
in my bedroom. I also have a 5 gallon nursery with nothing in it yet
(hoping for angel babies). I just got another 33 gallon tank and it's now
cycling and getting ready for yes, more cichlids.
Have fun.

"Gary" wrote in message $Ar5.2929@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> OK guys,
>
> Setup my 100 litre 3ft tank two month ago, has a variety of Guppies, Neons
> and Mollies. A catfish or 2, as well. Had good fun with it, really
> enjoyed setting it up.
>
> Bitten by the bug, 2 weeks ago, I get my 300 litre 4ft bow front aquarium,
> which now houses 15 cichlids of various descriptions. Not only is the
> aquarium much more stunning than its younger brother, but the fish are so
> much more beautiful than anything in my little 3ft baby tank. I am now
> feeling demotivated with the first setup, and want to advance my cichlid
> hobby even further Sad

.
>
> I am tempted to put an ad in the paper offering the fish for free to
> anyone with a suitable tank, and then get even more cichlid for the 3ft
> tank (Obviously not as many!).
>
> Anyone else experience this? Hopefully it will pass, and I will start
> enjoying the smaller tank and its occupents again....but those cichlids,
> WOW!
>
> Regards,
>
> Gary.
>
>

Gary · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

Forgot to mention, all the Cichlids are of the Lake Malawi variety.

Gary.

Gary · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

> I suggest you keep the smaller tank. It'll come in handy with cichlids,
> for quarantining new arrivals, for convalescence of injuries, for spawning
> purposes, for separating quarrelsome fish, for raising fry etc etc. You
> should in fact be looking for more tanks. I think I'm down to 7, but at
> work I was up to about 108 and when they were all full, I was still
> wishing I had more!

Yes, I definately want to keep the tank. Its the fish in the smaller tank,
they are not as impressive as the cichlids.

Gary.

Gary · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

"ss" wrote in message @4ax.com...
>
> Please keep a watchful eye on your new cichlid tank. It typically
> takes more than 2 weeks to cycle a tank, and yet you have thrown in 15
> cichlids in just that time, which are typically more sensitive than
> trops.
>
> watch the nitrite/nitrate levels

Definately. I did ask numerous people about this and read various books
before jumping in. They all said that with LM Cichlids, you must put a
large number of your total stock in to begin with, the local fish shop said
50% of the total fish. I was advised in doing so, a pecking order could be
established early on.

I am testing water daily, and doing a 30% - 40% change each time I see any
rise in Nitrite, Nitrate & Amonia.

Regards,

Gary.

Mary Burns · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

I have 2 juwel tanks the same, and my bowfront is spectacular and in the
lounge!! But, it's been up and running for 4 months now, and however
beautiful it is, maintance and gravel vacuuming is still easier on the 100
litre!! For the first few weeks, I was mesmerized by the new tank, but as
time has gone by, I still love my 100 litre and all the fishies in it.
I am looking at getting another big tank for Lake Malawi cichlids, to expand
my knowledge and hobby, and whilst doing my homework, it was suggested that
mbunas need at least a 4' front tank and therefore my 100 litre is not big
enough in the long run. Mary
"Gary" wrote in message $Ar5.2929@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> OK guys,
>
> Setup my 100 litre 3ft tank two month ago, has a variety of Guppies, Neons
> and Mollies. A catfish or 2, as well. Had good fun with it, really
> enjoyed setting it up.
>
> Bitten by the bug, 2 weeks ago, I get my 300 litre 4ft bow front aquarium,
> which now houses 15 cichlids of various descriptions. Not only is the
> aquarium much more stunning than its younger brother, but the fish are so
> much more beautiful than anything in my little 3ft baby tank. I am now
> feeling demotivated with the first setup, and want to advance my cichlid
> hobby even further Sad

.
>
> I am tempted to put an ad in the paper offering the fish for free to
> anyone with a suitable tank, and then get even more cichlid for the 3ft
> tank (Obviously not as many!).
>
> Anyone else experience this? Hopefully it will pass, and I will start
> enjoying the smaller tank and its occupents again....but those cichlids,
> WOW!
>
> Regards,
>
> Gary.
>

Gary · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

Hi Mary,

The larger Juwel is a nightmare to maintain, you might want to get one of
this "Python" cleaners, they clip to the bath and are between 25 and 100 ft
long.
The also have a reverse flow to fill the tank, but I am not sure how to
remove the nasties in the water when doing it this way.

Gary.

Mary Burns · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 7

Vacuuming is only way for nasties!! On bow tank, doing a quarter of the
gravel removes about 15/20 percent of water. By the time I did the last
quarter nearest the filter is was messy, and nearly 4 months since it was
set up...so I'm going to do some every week now and tyr to only take out 15
percent.
On your previous post for cichlid id, try
http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/index.php as it is a very good forum, and
"fishie mama" who moderates the cichlid section is great and knows loads
about mbunas. Her photos in the picture part are cool and hilarious. Mary
"Gary" wrote in message $Ar5.1956@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Hi Mary,
>
> The larger Juwel is a nightmare to maintain, you might want to get one of
> this "Python" cleaners, they clip to the bath and are between 25 and 100
> ft long.
> The also have a reverse flow to fill the tank, but I am not sure how to
> remove the nasties in the water when doing it this way.
>
> Gary.
>

Gary · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 31

"Mary Burns" wrote in message $0k6.296@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
> Vacuuming is only way for nasties!!

What I mean is, the Python Gravel vaccuum has a reverse flow action which
puts the water back in the aquarium (from your tap). But I am not sure how
to put the chemicals in to be on the super safe side.

Gary.

steve · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 102

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:30:08 -0000, "Gary"
wrote:

>
>"Mary Burns" wrote in message
>$0k6.296@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>> Vacuuming is only way for nasties!!
>
>
>What I mean is, the Python Gravel vaccuum has a reverse flow action which
>puts the water back in the aquarium (from your tap). But I am not sure how
>to put the chemicals in to be on the super safe side.
>
>Gary.
>

Gary,

You don't need special gadgets or chemicals. I kept and bred Malawi
and Tanganyika Cichlids for about thirty five years. Sometimes 50
tanks were being used. Just keep the water clean and on the alkaline
side. Malawi is alkaline but not particularly hard. Tanganika is hard
& alkaline. You don't need any chemicals to produce those conditions
unless your water supply is acid. That is not likely in the UK apart
from a few areas. Ask your supplier.

Steve
--
EasyNN-plus. The easy way to build neural networks.
http://www.easynn.com

Nikki Casali · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 48

steve@tropheus.demon.co.uk wrote:
> On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:30:08 -0000, "Gary"
> wrote:
>
>
>>"Mary Burns" wrote in message
>>$0k6.296@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>>
>>>Vacuuming is only way for nasties!!
>>
>>
>>What I mean is, the Python Gravel vaccuum has a reverse flow action which
>>puts the water back in the aquarium (from your tap). But I am not sure how
>>to put the chemicals in to be on the super safe side.
>>
>>Gary.
>>
>
>
> Gary,
>
> You don't need special gadgets or chemicals. I kept and bred Malawi
> and Tanganyika Cichlids for about thirty five years. Sometimes 50
> tanks were being used. Just keep the water clean and on the alkaline
> side. Malawi is alkaline but not particularly hard. Tanganika is hard
> & alkaline. You don't need any chemicals to produce those conditions
> unless your water supply is acid. That is not likely in the UK apart
> from a few areas. Ask your supplier.
>

Those chemicals are chlorine and chloramine, straight from the faucet or
tap.

Nikki

SkyCatcher · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 13

try living in northern ireland surrounded by peat bog and pure acid
straight from the tap is what you get!!

neededless to say i get through a fair bit of bi-carb!

sky
wrote in message @4ax.com...
> On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 15:30:08 -0000, "Gary"
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Mary Burns" wrote in message
>>$0k6.296@newsfe1-win.ntli.net...
>>> Vacuuming is only way for nasties!!
>>
>>
>>What I mean is, the Python Gravel vaccuum has a reverse flow action which
>>puts the water back in the aquarium (from your tap). But I am not sure
>>how
>>to put the chemicals in to be on the super safe side.
>>
>>Gary.
>>
>
> Gary,
>
> You don't need special gadgets or chemicals. I kept and bred Malawi
> and Tanganyika Cichlids for about thirty five years. Sometimes 50
> tanks were being used. Just keep the water clean and on the alkaline
> side. Malawi is alkaline but not particularly hard. Tanganika is hard
> & alkaline. You don't need any chemicals to produce those conditions
> unless your water supply is acid. That is not likely in the UK apart
> from a few areas. Ask your supplier.
>
>
> Steve
> --
> EasyNN-plus. The easy way to build neural networks.
> http://www.easynn.com

steve · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 102

On Wed, 22 Dec 2004 16:39:31 +0000, Nikki Casali
wrote:

>
>Those chemicals are chlorine and chloramine, straight from the faucet or
>tap.
>
>Nikki

Maybe I missed something but I got the impression that Gary was
wanting to know how to add chemicals not how to take them out.

Chlorine is easy to remove. Chloramine is more difficult but the first
thing to find out is if your water supplier uses it. I haven't checked
recently but the last time I asked my supplier didn't use it.

Steve
--
EasyNN-plus. The easy way to build neural networks.
http://www.easynn.com