New Tank !

[Matt_B]

Just bought a new tank and am so proud , its 48"x12"x18", it contains two bulbs both 38 w.

I already have convicts, currently housed in a 3ft tank and will soon be moved to this one. I'm wondering if you ppz can help me out on what else I can have in here or whether its better to just keep it as 1 species tank.

I also want to have a planted tank and already have java moss and fern in my old tank and am looking for some suggestions.

 

[SkiFletch]

well, I dont know anything about convict cichlids but I do know that most cichlids either eat plants or dig them up. hopefully someone else here knows about plant compatibility with Convicts.

as for good plants to use, try perhaps some species of anubias (nana, barteri, or gigantea), perhaps some hygro species, vallisineria, various sword types, or maybe a compacta amazonia. the general rule of thumb is the darker green the leaf and the wider and bigger the leafs the easier it is to grow. red plants and light green leafy varieties are tough. also, anything with very small leaves with the exception of java moss and glosso are extremely difficult to grow. hairgrass is really tough to keep (know from experience)...

are you going to fertilize and/or use CO2?

 

[Matt_B]

Dont think ill be using CO2 or fertiliser seems to be a bit expensive.

I think for substrate ill be using coral sand (new) mixed with some play sand from my 3ft aquarium.

Still got to buy a cabinet yet though... Anyone know how much the standard 48"x12" are sold for in the average LFS?

 

[yvez9]

coral sand is not a good idea with convicts as it will raise the pH while convicts prefer a lower pH. They'll probably still be ok, but there's no point in doing it!

as for plants, any cichlid, save for some swarf cichlids, wil tear up plants. You could maybe get away with java moss or java fern as they are tougher but still, cichlids like a sand, rock and wood environment!

as for keeping other fish with the convicts, in that size tank, it will be hard to keep anything alive if your pair starts breeding, which is just a matter of time. any fish big or tough enough to survive them will either have no chance in that tank or will shred up the convicts within a few days... breeding convicts should be kept by themselves in a species tank unless you have a massive tank, like 200 gallons, and other tough fish that can hold their own

 

[Matt_B]

Ok ill leave out the coral sand as I dont want to harm any convicts