I currently have three uarus, six keyholes, one anglefish, two discus, one geophagus surinamensis, nine cory cats, six rosy barbs and six zebra danios which i am currently housing in a 55 gallon. I would like to know what size tank i should upgrade to or if i do at all. I just want to make sure my fish have enough swimming room and space i do water changes regularly but i still feel like my tank might be too small for these cichlids especially if they decide to pair off. Any help is much appreciated.
Cichlid Accommodation
- Thread starter LIflynn
- Start date
For long term, full growth of these cichlids, you need a minimum 5ft 125g tank, the Uarus get very big and alone would need something along the lines of a 75g, the G.surinamensis, will need for full growth (10") a 75g, so along with all the others, a 125g would be a nice size.
Thanks for the help the uarus are about 5cm. Discus about 10cm, angelfish is about 10 cm also and the geophagus is about 8cm. my tank is currently in my bedroom and i am trying to upgrade my tank to a 125 gal but its gonna be heavy so i need to distribute the weight. I was wondering when i upgrade to the 125gal if i could throw in about three more discus two more uarus and four more geos but i think that would really be pushing the limit. Could anyone estimate how much the 125gal should go for thank you for your help.
Flagtail
Fish Crazy
I'd say an upgrade is need asap. 125-150 is needed. Uaru get big. You are overstocked as well.
So an upgrade would make the fish feel comfartable.
Post some pics of your uaru.
So an upgrade would make the fish feel comfartable.
Post some pics of your uaru.
Now I know it is only a rough guide but here is what ##144### says:
Warning: Your selected species may eventually require 114% of your aquarium space. You may need to deal with territorial aggressions later on. Try removing some of (Uaru amphiacanthoides, Geophagus surinamensis, Corydoras adolfoi, Puntius conchonius) or get a larger tank.
Warning: Water temperature requirements are not fully compatible between all selected species.
=> 24 - 30C: Uaru Cichlid
=> 28 - 31C: Discus
=> 24 - 27C: Red Striped Eartheater
=> 22 - 27C: Adolfo Cory
=> 18 - 25C: Rosy Barb
=> 18 - 24C: Zebra Danio
[Display in Farenheit]
Recommended pH range: 6 - 7.2.
Recommended hardness range: 5 - 10 dH.
Recommended water change schedule: 71% per week. (You might want to split this water change schedule to two separate 46% per week)
Your aquarium stocking level is 186%.
Your tank is overstocked. Unless you are an experienced aquarist who can meet the maintenance/biological needs of this aquarium, lower stocking levels are recommended. [Generate Image]
Basically you are way over stocked and need to go for 125 gal minimum for your current stock, if you want to add another three more discus two more uarus and four more geos you are going to need a mammoth of a tank!
Warning: Your selected species may eventually require 114% of your aquarium space. You may need to deal with territorial aggressions later on. Try removing some of (Uaru amphiacanthoides, Geophagus surinamensis, Corydoras adolfoi, Puntius conchonius) or get a larger tank.
Warning: Water temperature requirements are not fully compatible between all selected species.
=> 24 - 30C: Uaru Cichlid
=> 28 - 31C: Discus
=> 24 - 27C: Red Striped Eartheater
=> 22 - 27C: Adolfo Cory
=> 18 - 25C: Rosy Barb
=> 18 - 24C: Zebra Danio
[Display in Farenheit]
Recommended pH range: 6 - 7.2.
Recommended hardness range: 5 - 10 dH.
Recommended water change schedule: 71% per week. (You might want to split this water change schedule to two separate 46% per week)
Your aquarium stocking level is 186%.
Your tank is overstocked. Unless you are an experienced aquarist who can meet the maintenance/biological needs of this aquarium, lower stocking levels are recommended. [Generate Image]
Basically you are way over stocked and need to go for 125 gal minimum for your current stock, if you want to add another three more discus two more uarus and four more geos you are going to need a mammoth of a tank!
thank you i decided to stick with what i have then and not get anymore cichlids or fish i should just upgrade my tank and leave things the way they are. Do you know what a 125 gallon would run me money wise. Ill probably try to sell my 55gal and stand to get closer to getting the 125gal. Since they can be pretty expensive i was thinking about buying a used one. The LFS is selling one for 280 dollars for just a bare tank new and i was wondering if that was a good deal i was even maybe considering building the tank but i have no experience in making tanks so i should probably just buy from the store. Any advice would be very helpful thanks
hamfist
Fish Herder
Not quite sure of the prices over there in the USA, but a used large tank should not be too expensive. The bigger cost is actually the ready made stand/cabinet. SO if you can get together a homemade stand, and look out for a used tank, then it should not be too much. Unfortunately, you then need to look at filtration for the larger tank which will not be cheap.
What is sure is that you seriously need a bigger tank for those fish ion the long term. Just a trio of Uaru into adulthood need a 125 gallon. They are active, large fish, and need the correct amount of space to be happy and to reach their potential.
What is sure is that you seriously need a bigger tank for those fish ion the long term. Just a trio of Uaru into adulthood need a 125 gallon. They are active, large fish, and need the correct amount of space to be happy and to reach their potential.
Thanks for all the help and replies even with the uarus still being young i want to transport them to the 125gal by next month. I can tell that they are going to grow rather quickly due to their endless appetite. They greet me when i walk into the room to get fed and i heard these guys can be shy but mine seem to already have adjusted i just got them about a week ago and once they were let out of the bag they were active and wanting food. They still have the juvenile white blotches on them i cant wait to see them grow into nice specimens.
hamfist
Fish Herder
They sound great ! The uaru I had also had very good appetites and were very personable, although took a few days to settle in. They were much bigger than yours though and, I suspect, wild caught so that was no surprise. Are yours captive-bred ?
I'm actually not sure.. i should have asked but i got so excited to see them and in such healthy conditions. I hear they need more of a veggie diet but mine are hooked on frozen blood worms but i do include frozen seaweed tablets. I don't like feeding tubifex worms at all and the fish definitely like the blood worms better. I should throw in some brine shrimp every once in awhile to mix it up. I'm quickly becoming to like my uarus over my discus even though they are said to have bland coloration. My second favorite cichlid are the severums but I'm gonna have to pass them up due to over crowding and even when i get the 125gal next month i wont be able to add them i rather be safe with giving my fish more room then not enough of it. Would you happen to know what kinda of accessories like heaters filtration and aeration ill need for the 125gal. On my 55 i currently have a fluval 305 and a box filter for a 60gal and i was wondering if that was effective enough just to transfer over to the 125. For a heater i have a rena 300 watt so maybe that could also transfer but i might need to get another one. Im trying to have the upgrade run me less then four hundred dollars and the tank alone is 280 dollars so its gonna be very difficult.
Flagtail
Fish Crazy
Yes 280 is a good price. I paid 1,000 for my 150 with lights, stand , tank, filter, and more.
Flagtail
Fish Crazy
I have 2 canister filters running on the 150. Then I have 2 Biowheel Pengiun filters hang on the back filters working on the back. I use Emhiem heaters as they are sturdy and non destructable.
I think 300 watts should be plenty for a 125.
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