Cichlids tank setup

[Sunny.C]

i just got a new tank, 40 gallons.
Ok can someone please explain what steps i need to take to step up this tank properly and than how to take the new fish from old to new tank in a safe way.
1.Do i was the new tank with tap water???
2.Do i was the gravel in tap water before i put it in?
3.What kind of ojbects should i put in the tank???plants?? rocks??
4.How long before i put the fish in from old tank???


By the way the fish are currently small 4-5cm max i will move to bigger tank later.

 

[skye4jc]

might wanna post this in the cichlid section... you will get detail there

but i can advise you on a few of your questions...

1) yes, but no soaps or harsh detergents ... just filter foam and water (or something not treated with soap, like a dish rag or a dish sponge)

2) yes... make sure it is dust and dirt free before adding to the tank. soak it in warm, then rinse rinse rinse. then soak it in cold, and repeat the rinsing. make sure its not giving off anything. ps type of substrate depends on what cichlids you have, so make sure you research. calcium/limestone based substrate makes your tank water harder and the PH higher, which some african varieties perfer... B)

3) cichlids, from what i have learned, like rocks with hiding space or holes, and you can add plants if you so desire. silk may be the best bet... im not entirely sure on this one.

4) tank will need to be cycled unless you can add some bacteria (either from filter media or gravel etc) from old tank to new one, which might mean you can have them in there after a few days?? a week?? i dont know this for sure... amybe someone else can back me up here? how long does added bateria need before you can add fishies to a new tank??


anyhow, hope this helps you some... at least getting the process rolling. enjoy your nice new tank... good luck!

 

[StarOrbs]

Couple things to add..
If you are going to get Chiclid like Severums or Dempseys or any larger fish in the Chiclidae family will probally destroy your plants. If you are just going to get fish such as Angelfish, Firemouths, and Dwarf Chiclids you should be alright with live plants.

Cycling--> Is the devil
You may want to read up on fishless cycling.
Here is some information: http/malawicichlids.com/mw01017.htm

Depending on what fish you get, well I feel that sand is better looking it requires a lot of work to wash it but I feel that it's worth it.

I'm not sure what you mean by live rock I'd assume that's coral but I'm not sure.

Slate Rock will work fine too to build a cave and other structures too.

Also.. Make sure you have a dechlorinator like Aquasafe unless of course you have no chlorine in your tap water which is unlikely. Make sure you have a test kit or you will have trouble doing fishless cycle. I found that Aquarium Pharm. makes the cheapest and best testing kit. Tetras test kits are also good. Good Luck.

 

[nshockeyplaya]

Well regardless if you put helpfull bacteria from your old tank or not, you still need to cycle it. If you use some bacteria from your old tank it could shorten the process, but you still have to cycle ot.

Umm as far as plants and such goes, i have heard that cichlids like to dig up plants and move gravel and such so i dont know if you would want to put live plants in the tank, i wouldnt if i were you.

Just my 2 cents

 

[CFC]

By adding mature filter media and gravel from a existing tank you do not have to cycle the tank, once you have added the mature media you MUST add a few fish straight away or the bacteria will die off within 24 hours without a ammonia source to feed on.

Almost all Cichlids will destroy plants either by eating them or pulling them up for fun, generally if you want a Cichlid tank then you have a unplanted tank.

 

[StarOrbs]

I just got some more fake plants that look great and you don't have to spend time and money on lighting, Co2 and other things. Plus you can have some good looking silk plants that you couldn't normally have unless you have really high lighting.

 

[Vip]

By adding mature filter media and gravel from a existing tank you do not have to cycle the tank, once you have added the mature media you MUST add a few fish straight away or the bacteria will die off within 24 hours without a ammonia source to feed on.

Almost all Cichlids will destroy plants either by eating them or pulling them up for fun, generally if you want a Cichlid tank then you have a unplanted tank.

But! dont worry about the cycle to much, cichlids are very stong fish i just chuck mine in with new tanks.

What fish are they?

 

[Sunny.C]

what do you mean by the filter media??? the actually white tube thing under the filter pads???
my fish are 1. Green terror 2.bumble bee 3.electric yellow 4.red forest jewel? 5.Bristle Nose 6.electric blue 7.MELANOCHROMIS AURATUS dont know the name of other one.

Yes i know now some fish are not meant to be in there.