What Tank To Buy

[kaivalagi]

The standard filter that comes with the Roma 125 is an internal Fluval U3, 2 of the 3 settings don't agitate the water surface, so I doubt you'd really notice it if using those. If you do I am sure after a short while you'd get used to it.

Alright

the more i see your firemouth the more I want one

edit: Best place to get API testing kit?

I found "API LIQUID FW MASTER TEST KIT" and "API LIQUID SW MASTER TEST KIT" but whats the difference between FW and SW?

the website was www.theaquariumshop.co.uk

You know you want one You ought to have atleast one fish from the [font="arial][size="2"]Thorichthys family, elloti's are nice too. Have you looked at the selection of pics of my juvi cichlids (see link in my sig)[/size][/font]
[font="arial] [/font]
[font="arial][size="2"]BTW You should be able to find the freshwater master test kit for under £20 + low P&P. FW = freshwater, SW = saltwater[/size][/font]
[font="arial] [/font]
[font="arial][size="2"]Salifert kits are said to be the most accurate of the hobbyist kits, but you have to buy one of each test...i.e. NH3, NO2, NO3, pH, KH, GH...they are a bit more expensive but do provide quite a lot more tests that other kits I think. The next tests I buy when I run out will be these...[/size][/font]

 

[PDSimon]

The standard filter that comes with the Roma 125 is an internal Fluval U3, 2 of the 3 settings don't agitate the water surface, so I doubt you'd really notice it if using those. If you do I am sure after a short while you'd get used to it.

Alright

the more i see your firemouth the more I want one

edit: Best place to get API testing kit?

I found "API LIQUID FW MASTER TEST KIT" and "API LIQUID SW MASTER TEST KIT" but whats the difference between FW and SW?

the website was www.theaquariumshop.co.uk

You know you want one You ought to have atleast one fish from the [font="arial][size="2"]Thorichthys family, elloti's are nice too. Have you looked at the selection of pics of my juvi cichlids (see link in my sig)[/size][/font]
[font="arial] [/font]
[font="arial][size="2"]BTW You should be able to find the freshwater master test kit for under £20 + low P&P. FW = freshwater, SW = saltwater[/size][/font]
[font="arial] [/font]
[font="arial][size="2"]Salifert kits are said to be the most accurate of the hobbyist kits, but you have to buy one of each test...i.e. NH3, NO2, NO3, pH, KH, GH...they are a bit more expensive but do provide quite a lot more tests that other kits I think. The next tests I buy when I run out will be these...[/size][/font]

Yeah I saw the other 3, really nice fish, I just ordered it of amazon for simplicity and price wasn't so bad either.

I'm not sure about how friendly they are, would have to research into it. A firemouth would be to aggresive toward smaller fish like guppies? I imagine there are some cichlids that are friendly though

 

[kaivalagi]

Yeah I saw the other 3, really nice fish, I just ordered it of amazon for simplicity and price wasn't so bad either.

I'm not sure about how friendly they are, would have to research into it. A firemouth would be to aggresive toward smaller fish like guppies? I imagine there are some cichlids that are friendly though

Don't keep guppy's with any cichlids is my opinion...people have and it has worked but if you're starting a new cichlid tank then if I were you I'd make sure it's just cichlids (well those and a cleaning crew of sorts). Any cichlid is still a cichlid no matter what temperament they have or what size they are they still want to be the boss!

 

[PDSimon]

Yeah I saw the other 3, really nice fish, I just ordered it of amazon for simplicity and price wasn't so bad either.

I'm not sure about how friendly they are, would have to research into it. A firemouth would be to aggresive toward smaller fish like guppies? I imagine there are some cichlids that are friendly though

Don't keep guppy's with any cichlids is my opinion...people have and it has worked but if you're starting a new cichlid tank then if I were you I'd make sure it's just cichlids (well those and a cleaning crew of sorts). Any cichlid is still a cichlid no matter what temperament they have or what size they are they still want to be the boss!

I don't think I could commit to just one type for my first tank even if they do look nice

 

[kaivalagi]

I don't think I could commit to just one type for my first tank even if they do look nice

Fair enough, just be weary of aggression in your tank affecting some fish, that's if you go with cichlids...

Just for info, a friend of mine who is new to the hobby started a tank with guppies, neons, cory, danios and a fighter several months back. She then decided she wanted to keep cichlids too so moved her fighter to a small tank and added a baby firemouth initially which was fine at the time. She then proceeded to add a Geo which was fine too. For a while the cichlids and other tank mates left in the main tank got on okay...but as the cichlids got a little bigger (think teenager years) then came the problems. All fish bar the cichlids and cory had to be moved into a smaller tank for their own safety.

She now has 1 x Blue Acara, 1 x Firemouth, 1 x Geo (redhead), 1 x Nicaraguan and 9 cories in a fairly big tank.

I personally think it's worth while making the sacrifice and keeping pretty much just cichlids. The variety available is immense and the behaviour is far more interesting than a bunch of guppys and tetras...IMO! Please no flame war from guppy lovers!

 

[Curiosity101]

There are plenty of dwarf cichlids that are peaceful, and by peaceful I mean only ever show agression to their own species, and that's only if you stock them too densely.

For example...
Bolivian rams
German blue rams
Keyhole cichlids
Several apistogramma species
And possibly even dwarf flag ciclids

I do agree with you kaivalagi by the way 'typical' tropicals just don't interest me anymore.
If I weren't about to switch from fish to shrimp I'd be changing my set-up to a cichlid only I think. They have such little characters. Real personality fish.

 

[PDSimon]

interesting read from both of you

 

[Curiosity101]

I'm not disagreeing with kaivalgi by the way. They're right. Most cichlids bigger than the ones I've mentioned are much more agressive. And the larger they get the harder it is to find peaceful species.

But if you want a community tank please don't rule out cichlids (that was my point).
A couple as a centerpiece make a love personality filled addition.

My two rams shy away from me when I go to the tank cause I'm at uni most of the time so I'm not the main feeder. When my dad is infront of the tank they come flying forward wiggling their tails at him.
Also, my big ram doesn't like cameras, second it comes out his stress stripes come out. However the little one doesn't mind cameras, just so long as you don't point it directly at him.
Such funny little characters!

 

[PDSimon]

I'm not disagreeing with kaivalgi by the way. They're right. Most cichlids bigger than the ones I've mentioned are much more agressive. And the larger they get the harder it is to find peaceful species.

But if you want a community tank please don't rule out cichlids (that was my point).
A couple as a centerpiece make a love personality filled addition.

My two rams shy away from me when I go to the tank cause I'm at uni most of the time so I'm not the main feeder. When my dad is infront of the tank they come flying forward wiggling their tails at him.
Also, my big ram doesn't like cameras, second it comes out his stress stripes come out. However the little one doesn't mind cameras, just so long as you don't point it directly at him.
Such funny little characters!

Thats awesome definate personalities... I shan't not rule them out thanks for the info

 

[kaivalagi]

I must admit I haven't keep dwarfs, apart from a mistake very early on in the hobby when I bought a German Blue Ram after listening to an LFS who didn't take want to note my tank parameters. My tank has never had a pH below 7.5 so wasn't really suited, especially for such a fragile fish. If I'd have known more then I would have gone for a Bolivian Ram instead which would have fared better and could co-exist better with other fish...but they obviously didn't have as good a profit margin for the LFS as Blue Rams...

Anyway, C101 I agree, Apistos could work as they are, from what I've read, quite timid and stick to their own kind. I guess I just find it odd to have any cichlid, big or small, in a tank with guppys and a like. Tetras at a push but not guppys, it just isn't right in my mind as nothing remotely similar would happen in nature...

I am very interested in Apistos myself and have just this week started reading what I can find on the subject. Once I have upgraded my current tank for my medium sized cichlids (5ft seabray arriving in a about a week, I'm so excited!), I shall use the old Roma 125 to host Apistos, probably Cockatoo Dwarfs (1 x M, 3 x F). I managed to talk the wife around to let me move the old tank into our bedroom rather than sell it on, quite appropriate for a potential breeding tank to be in the bedroom Bottom line is I really want some breeding cichlids and I think I am ready for it, especially if they do all the hard work of looking after the young for me, but I can't achieve that with all various bachelor males in the same tank.

Whatever you decide on doing PDSimon, if you're unsure post on these forums and you'll get a good idea of what is and isn't possible. There might be some disagreements or personal bias from some *clears throat*, but considering the amount of feedback you are likely to get you'll be able to make a good judgement call on the matter like in this case. If you do go for cichlids I promise you will not regret it one bit, even if it was just a cichlid tank so you could have nice big ones!

 

[OldMan47]

Please let us know how it comes out mixing apistos and guppies. I have always admired the Apistogrammas but have been reluctant to bring any into my fish room because I have always kept tanks with nothing but livebearers or with livebearers and a cleanup crew of cories. Apistogrammas always struck me as being among the more difficult cichlid types that would not get along well with my fish. If I have been wrong, I would be very happy to find that out because I love the looks of them.

 

[PDSimon]

I've got my API test kit - came quickly I've also got household ammonia from boots. Just awaiting my tank now! Should get it end of this week/early next week

I must admit I haven't keep dwarfs, apart from a mistake very early on in the hobby when I bought a German Blue Ram after listening to an LFS who didn't take want to note my tank parameters. My tank has never had a pH below 7.5 so wasn't really suited, especially for such a fragile fish. If I'd have known more then I would have gone for a Bolivian Ram instead which would have fared better and could co-exist better with other fish...but they obviously didn't have as good a profit margin for the LFS as Blue Rams...

Anyway, C101 I agree, Apistos could work as they are, from what I've read, quite timid and stick to their own kind. I guess I just find it odd to have any cichlid, big or small, in a tank with guppys and a like. Tetras at a push but not guppys, it just isn't right in my mind as nothing remotely similar would happen in nature...

I am very interested in Apistos myself and have just this week started reading what I can find on the subject. Once I have upgraded my current tank for my medium sized cichlids (5ft seabray arriving in a about a week, I'm so excited!), I shall use the old Roma 125 to host Apistos, probably Cockatoo Dwarfs (1 x M, 3 x F). I managed to talk the wife around to let me move the old tank into our bedroom rather than sell it on, quite appropriate for a potential breeding tank to be in the bedroom Bottom line is I really want some breeding cichlids and I think I am ready for it, especially if they do all the hard work of looking after the young for me, but I can't achieve that with all various bachelor males in the same tank.

Whatever you decide on doing PDSimon, if you're unsure post on these forums and you'll get a good idea of what is and isn't possible. There might be some disagreements or personal bias from some *clears throat*, but considering the amount of feedback you are likely to get you'll be able to make a good judgement call on the matter like in this case. If you do go for cichlids I promise you will not regret it one bit, even if it was just a cichlid tank so you could have nice big ones!

Sounds good, best of luck with your new tank I guess I just want to explore various species first thanks for the info!

Please let us know how it comes out mixing apistos and guppies. I have always admired the Apistogrammas but have been reluctant to bring any into my fish room because I have always kept tanks with nothing but livebearers or with livebearers and a cleanup crew of cories. Apistogrammas always struck me as being among the more difficult cichlid types that would not get along well with my fish. If I have been wrong, I would be very happy to find that out because I love the looks of them.

I shall make a blog for my fish-less cycle and I will be sure to post about what fish i'm getting and what not. I have no idea what i'm getting yet though it might not be cichlids or guppies

 

[PDSimon]

Question

What exactly is mature 'media'? My brother has a fish tank and if it is ok with him I could probably take this media from it. Do you just take one of the sponges out of the filter and put it in your filter?

 

[kaivalagi]

Question

What exactly is mature 'media'? My brother has a fish tank and if it is ok with him I could probably take this media from it. Do you just take one of the sponges out of the filter and put it in your filter?

Yep, you got the idea. Mature media is a piece of filter sponge or other bacteria holding media from an existing tank setup that has been established and proven to do the deed. If used in conjunction with a fish-less cycle it can speed up the process dramatically.

I am no expert but I wouldn't assume adding mature media to new filtration will stop any cycle from happening, any cycle should be much more short lived though, IME. Maybe I've been unlucky but that has been the case for me.

Hopefully some of the more experienced guys will give you a more thorough explanation and maybe give some tips on introducing mature media to a new filter in a fish-less cycle...

 

[PDSimon]

Question

What exactly is mature 'media'? My brother has a fish tank and if it is ok with him I could probably take this media from it. Do you just take one of the sponges out of the filter and put it in your filter?

Yep, you got the idea. Mature media is a piece of filter sponge or other bacteria holding media from an existing tank setup that has been established and proven to do the deed. If used in conjunction with a fish-less cycle it can speed up the process dramatically.

I am no expert but I wouldn't assume adding mature media to new filtration will stop any cycle from happening, any cycle should be much more short lived though, IME. Maybe I've been unlucky but that has been the case for me.

Hopefully some of the more experienced guys will give you a more thorough explanation and maybe give some tips on introducing mature media to a new filter in a fish-less cycle...

Excellent, I've read a bit about the cycles just wasn't entirely positive on quite what people were referring to when they said media.

All I need know is a bucket and I imagine some sort of measuring device (pipette?) for the ammonia? Another stupid question sorry but people always say add but not how

Thank you!