getting started with cichlids

[flourman]

Been considering a cichlid-only tank for a while now, done loads of research on these amazing fish and I'm pretty sure I'll be setting it up soon. I've got a 55gal freshwater setup and I've nearly rehomed all my fish. The reason I'm switching to cichlids is I had a bad white spot outbreak and lost loads of fish, so instead of replacing them with the same old fish, I thought I'd try something new.

Found some potential stocking ideas, would these work?
- 12 cyprichromis leptosome (mpulungu)
- a pair of chalinochromis brichardi
- a pair of lamprologus tretacephaleus

Are these fish from Tanganyika or Malawi?

I've got a load of rock that was labeled tuffa but it looks more like tuff rock to me, also I've got sand substrate and 5kg of coflake sand to help keep the pH high. What else should I add to get the water perfect?

[fluxon4]

First off, let's look at the tank length - if it's 4 feet or more, it should be fine for the cyprichromis. I've never personally kept Chalinochromis brichardi, but from what I've heard, they're quite peaceful. Lamprologus tretacephaleus is one of my favorite Tanganyikans, but I'd advise against keeping a pair - they can be quite aggressive to their own kind and tankmates, especially if they spawn.

As for the decoration, I'd give the tuffa rock a miss - it's got loads of little holes that collect debris and has too many sharp edges. You can find better alternatives at local landscape centers; I've had good luck with yorkstone, which is pretty cheap, or Atlantic cobbles, which are a bit pricier but look really natural. I'd also recommend pool filter sand over coflake sand - it's a better choice for maintaining pH levels.

Do you know if your water is hard or soft? If it's soft, there are some affordable products you can use to get the parameters right.

[flourman]

Let's start with the length of your tank, if it's 4 feet or over it will be fine for cyps. I've never kept Chalinochromis brichardi, but by all accounts they're quite peaceful fish. Lamprologus tretocephalus is one of my favourite tangs, all three are Tanganyikans, but a pair, no, go for a single specimen. They can be very aggressive to their own kind and tankmates, especially if you get a pair m/f and they spawn.

Considering your thoughts on the Chalinochromis brichardi, I'd say Black fin calvus are a great alternative, they're lovely fish. As for the tuffa rock and coflake sand, I'd give them a miss. The tuffs have loads of little holes that collect all the crap, and they've got too many sharp edges. Local landscape centres sell better alternatives, yorkstone is quite cheap, I paid £3.50 for 25 kilos, or Atlantic cobbles, a bit more expensive, but very natural looking.

Ceramic plant pots could work, but make sure they're fully cleaned and free of any residue. Pool filter sand is a better choice than coflake sand, which does nothing for your pH. Do you know if your water is hard or soft? If you've got soft water, there are cheap products that can help you get your water to the right parameters.

[fluxon4]

Black fin calvus seem like a better choice to me, they should get along with the cyprichromis and lamprologus just fine. As for the ceramic plant pots, they can work as spawning sites, but to be honest, they don't quite fit in with the natural look I'm going for. My gold head comps have always spawned in the rocks, never really needed anything extra.

[flourman]

I'm thinking of going for a pH that's suitable for Tanganyikans, as I've got a few of those in my planned stock. I've heard pH needs to be around 8 or more for them to thrive, but I'm not entirely sure what the minimum would be.

[fluxon4]

Tangs seem to thrive in water with a pH of 8 or higher, to be honest. Your water hardness, measured by GH and KH, is just as crucial, though. You can easily raise and maintain these levels by adding Epsom salts and baking soda. By the way, whereabouts in the UK are you based?

[flourman]

I'm based in Barking, right on the border of East London and Essex.

[fluxon4]

I'm fairly sure the water in our area's pretty hard, should be able to check water quality on your local water company's website.

[flourman]

I've checked my local water company's website and the readings are a bit different to the aquarium test kits. My area's got a calcium range of 100-130 mg/l and 250-325 mg/l for CaCO3. This apparently means the water's hard to very hard. When I test the tap water, I get pH 6.8, KH 180 and GH 250-500.

[nerdy_9]

Considering your water stats, a possible solution could be adding limestone rock to your setup. This should help increase your pH, gH and calcium carbonate content, which would be more suitable for your Tanganyikans.