Any Ideas - For A N00b Cichlid Keeper?

[mikebig]

Hey guys, just got my second tank up and running. Its about 140L it is 39"+16" and 14" deep (water level). With a Fluval 205 filter. I would love a cichlid tank, sand as substrate and plenty of stacked rocks too. What will be my best choices for stocking fish? Quick note, my tank has been cloned from an older established one so on cycle is needed.

Thanks in advance.

 

[freddyk]

my tank has been cloned from an older established one so on cycle is needed.

But you haven't moved the bacteria over yet right

What will be my best choices for stocking fish?

Have you seen anything you like? How is the tank set up? What's your water like?

 

[mikebig]

Well what i have done is taken the filter from my smaller tank and put it in the new tank. Along with the fish (5 plattys and 1 betta) from the small tank to kick start the new filter. When the new filter is ready i will but the 6 fish back into thier origaonal tank when i get new fish for the new tank! (hope that is an acceptable way of doing things).

My ph is always around 7.2 nowadays. The tank has sand substrate with built up rock structures on one side and a more planted area to the other side, leaving quite a nice open area in the middle. I have not really seen much i like as of yet so i am here asking for some advice/ideas. I dont mind changng things about a bit in order to get myself a nicer looking tank with better suited inhabitants.

 

[freddyk]

Judging by the layout and water I think the Riverine cichlids would be best, like Kribensis or Jewels.

 

[karuna]

In terms of ph that is fine although dont know from first hand experience about the jewels but the kribs would prefer a dark substrate with lots of plants. However, kribs are indigenous to an area of the niger where subsiduary rivers meet therefore they are quite hardy and exist in habitat that naturally is varied so ur water quality is not critical to successfully keep them and they should love all the hiding places the rocks provide =) As long as ur gonna plant the tank as well it sounds like ur on to a winner.