Relatively inexperienced looking for tanganyikan advice

George · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

Hello,
I'm sure this question has been asked before, as I've found from looking
in various archives, but this has a bit of a twist. I have a Oceanic 60
gallon cube tank and am interested in putting cichlids in it. Most of the
posts I've seen refer to tanks that are traditionally rectangular. This
tank is a cube of dimensions 24"x24"x24". I would like to do cichlids and
wanted to make sure the tank as set up is appropriate for long term
residency. I did keep a variety of peacocks (about 5 individuals in it for
several months before moving them to a 55g. My wife has approved frontosa,
and I know I'd have to move them to another tank eventually (she has ok'd a
120 down the line). She however really likes Brichardi (especially
daffodil) and I'm rather partial to the other tanganyikans myself. Would
frontosa be OK with a mix until I move them out. If I did strictly
frontosa, how many would it support and how long? If I don't do the
frontosa, what kind of mix would be appropriate. If this tank were your's,
what would you do. The filtration is a hang on back reef type with dls
spool that did yeoman's service when the tank was a marine environment. It
can support a pretty large bioload. I've set a page so you can see the tank
if that would help.
http://www.geocities.com/chrismonster2001/tank.html?1059762967030 The large
rocks structure is hollow on the interior built around pvc and eggcrate.
Thanks very much for your advice and suggestions.

George

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>cichlids

Andre · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

I would use a single species like 5 daffodils and perhaps a trio of
Synodontis petricola or Syno multipunctatus for your tank because of the
limited territories. The daffodils should stay at the mid to top and the
Synodontis will mostly stay on the bottom. If possible, try to insert some
clay pots in the cave openings to prevent the fish from fighting inside the
structure.
I would keep the number of fish to a minimum because of the amount of fish
poop and uneaten food that will enter the structure and will be difficult to
remove when cleaning.
Andre

"George" wrote in message$On2.369600@twister.tampabay.rr.com...
> Hello,
> I'm sure this question has been asked before, as I've found from
looking
> in various archives, but this has a bit of a twist. I have a Oceanic 60
> gallon cube tank and am interested in putting cichlids in it. Most of the
> posts I've seen refer to tanks that are traditionally rectangular. This
> tank is a cube of dimensions 24"x24"x24". I would like to do cichlids and
> wanted to make sure the tank as set up is appropriate for long term
> residency. I did keep a variety of peacocks (about 5 individuals in it
for
> several months before moving them to a 55g. My wife has approved
frontosa,
> and I know I'd have to move them to another tank eventually (she has ok'd
a
> 120 down the line). She however really likes Brichardi (especially
> daffodil) and I'm rather partial to the other tanganyikans myself. Would
> frontosa be OK with a mix until I move them out. If I did strictly
> frontosa, how many would it support and how long? If I don't do the
> frontosa, what kind of mix would be appropriate. If this tank were
your's,
> what would you do. The filtration is a hang on back reef type with dls
> spool that did yeoman's service when the tank was a marine environment.
It
> can support a pretty large bioload. I've set a page so you can see the
tank
> if that would help.
> http://www.geocities.com/chrismonster2001/tank.html?1059762967030 The
large
> rocks structure is hollow on the interior built around pvc and eggcrate.
> Thanks very much for your advice and suggestions.
>
> George
>
>

The Madd Hatter · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 25

I've never kept fronts, butthey do require a lot of swimming room
especially at the sizes they attain... You could get them at a really
small size, but if you put them in there w/ brichardi of the same
size, keep in mindthat the brichardi will breed... They go nuts when
they breed. I don't think baby frontswill be able to competwe... They
are too slow and clumsy, compared to a pair of brichardi protecting
their young... The brichardi will try to take as much territory as
possible, which brings me to the next problem I see... The wy your
tank is setup right now, i fthe interior is one big hollow space,
whoever claims it won't share it... You'll have the rest of the fish
out in the open battling for room... I would go w/ the brichardi's and
maybe some julie's... Trets look nice too, If you want the look of the
fronts...

I'd wait for posts from people who've kept Fronts though for a more
accurate picture...

Sorry bout all the typos guys... My keys are sticking (coffee and
electronics don't mix well!)

On Fri, 01 Aug 2003 19:08:09 GMT, "George"
wrote:

>Hello,
> I'm sure this question has been asked before, as I've found from looking
>in various archives, but this has a bit of a twist. I have a Oceanic 60
>gallon cube tank and am interested in putting cichlids in it. Most of the
>posts I've seen refer to tanks that are traditionally rectangular. This
>tank is a cube of dimensions 24"x24"x24". I would like to do cichlids and
>wanted to make sure the tank as set up is appropriate for long term
>residency. I did keep a variety of peacocks (about 5 individuals in it for
>several months before moving them to a 55g. My wife has approved frontosa,
>and I know I'd have to move them to another tank eventually (she has ok'd a
>120 down the line). She however really likes Brichardi (especially
>daffodil) and I'm rather partial to the other tanganyikans myself. Would
>frontosa be OK with a mix until I move them out. If I did strictly
>frontosa, how many would it support and how long? If I don't do the
>frontosa, what kind of mix would be appropriate. If this tank were your's,
>what would you do. The filtration is a hang on back reef type with dls
>spool that did yeoman's service when the tank was a marine environment. It
>can support a pretty large bioload. I've set a page so you can see the tank
>if that would help.
>http://www.geocities.com/chrismonster2001/tank.html?1059762967030 The large
>rocks structure is hollow on the interior built around pvc and eggcrate.
>Thanks very much for your advice and suggestions.
>
>George
>

Alan Silver · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 70

In article , George
writes
>The large rocks structure is hollow on the interior built around pvc
>and eggcrate.

How did you build that ? It looks like the sort of thing I'd like to do.
Any more info would be helpful.

TIA

--
Alan Silver