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Posted by swarvegorilla on August 5, 2007, 8:25 pm
Please log in for more thread options Tank sounds fine.
Malawi cichlids are VERY easy.
They also come from rocky, sandys and muddy based places.
For decoration you can use anything, most tanks look like a messy jumble to
provide enuf seperate territorys.
All your current fish would have to go, sorry
as a first fish try electric yellows
they are the most chilled out.
it gets more aggro from there on.
:)
So yea I'd move accross the old fish and move in some africans
your water sounds fine but maybe consider adding a bit of
shellgrit/marble/limestone/coral to the substrate so the nice high pH stays
that way.
> Hi..
>
>> I have had my 55gal freshwater tank for about 8 months
>> now. I have kept various tropicals in it with varying
>> levels of success.
>
> Hmm..
>
>> Currently, I have 5 neon tetras, 3 corys, 2 platy's and 1
>> female betta.
>
> Okay..
>
>> My water is good (no ammonia/nitrite, and currently about
>> 20-30ppm
>> nitrate).
>
> In my mind no prob..! What's about GH/KH..?
>
>> PH is around 7.8 - 8.2.
>
> Hmm.., why is the PH so high..?
>
>> Tank is planted with
>> various artificial plants, and some pieces of driftwood to
>> create some hiding
>> spots. Substrate is a 50/50 mix of regular size gravel
>> and some smaller sized gravel.
>
> What's about life plants, lighting..?
>
> What's regular size gravel..? And what's some smaller sized
> gravel..?
>
>> Now to my question.
>> I am interested in getting some cichlids for my aquarium,
>> particularly
>> the Malawian variety.
>
> Okay..
>
>> Now I realize some (if not all) of
>> the fish I have currently may not be compatible, which is
>> fine, I have another home
>> for them if need be.
>
> Well all of the old fish might be incompatible..!
>
>
>> But I am wondering about the
>> suitability of the rest of the aquarium setup for Malawian
>> cichlids.
>
> Me, too..
>
>> I understand that Malawian cichlids like a higher pH,
>> which is no
>> problem because my pH (and local tap water) have a higher
>> pH as is.
>
> Okay..
>
>> But what about the substrate?
>
> Pool sand - or fine gravel (~0.1")..
>
>> I understand that these fish like a sandy substrate. Are
>> they fine with a substrate like mine, or would I need to
>> change it to make it suitable for them?
>
> In my mind Sand would be great..!
>
>> Regarding plants and decor, I figure I would need to get
>> some rock like structures to provide hiding
>> spots/territories for males, but what about
>> plants? Are the artificial plants okay?
>
> Depending on lighting there were several life plants
> available for your tank..
>
>> What about the
>> driftwood?
>
> Real driftwood shouldn't be a prob..
>
>> Anyways, some help would be great, as I would love to get
>> into cichlids, but do not want to jump in if my setup is
>> not sufficient.
>
> Agreed.., cichlids are great pet fish but there are several
> other cichlids beside Malawians..
>
> Ever tried TFA..?
> http://groups.google.com/group/The-Freshwater-Aquarium
> --
> cu
> Marco
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> now. I have kept various tropicals in it with varying
> levels of success.