Would this tank work well with Large Cichlids?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
If you're set on the curved bow front kind of tank, then go ahead and buy it.

However, if you don't mind that much, my advice is to not buy it and wait for a standard 6x2x2 - 180G.
These secondhand should be significantly cheaper than 700CAN (you may be able to get tank and cabinet new for that). They will house any large cichlid, don't have the extra annoying height to make maintenance/gravel vaccing a PITA, and there are so many accessories that go better with standard sized aquariums. The main thing is that it is 24" wide throughout, so that large fish can use the full length and turn around, rather than swim to the end in a continuously narrowing corridor then be forced to turn around in a cramped dead end. They will also have significantly larger footprint = better gas exchange at water surface so better oxygenation, and also slightly more territory for cichlids to claim. Extra height above and beyond 24" in a cichlid tank is not that useful whereas extra width most certainly is.
 
THQ said:
If you're set on the curved bow front kind of tank, then go ahead and buy it.

However, if you don't mind that much, my advice is to not buy it and wait for a standard 6x2x2 - 180G.
These secondhand should be significantly cheaper than 700CAN (you may be able to get tank and cabinet new for that). They will house any large cichlid, don't have the extra annoying height to make maintenance/gravel vaccing a PITA, and there are so many accessories that go better with standard sized aquariums. The main thing is that it is 24" wide throughout, so that large fish can use the full length and turn around, rather than swim to the end in a continuously narrowing corridor then be forced to turn around in a cramped dead end. They will also have significantly larger footprint = better gas exchange at water surface so better oxygenation, and also slightly more territory for cichlids to claim. Extra height above and beyond 24" in a cichlid tank is not that useful whereas extra width most certainly is.
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Aquariums are real expensive in Canada.

$800-1000+ seems to be the going rate for a basic used 180 gallon with cheap welded metal stand and really simple wet/dry setup.
I'm pretty sure I've seen new 180 gallons aquariums going for a couple grand. And that is just the glass aquarium, wood stand, and pre-drilled holes for a wet/dry setup.
 
Oscar or red devil would be fine in there depending on stock, of course not likely to work together.

Tank looks great, I don't believe the fish will be overly bothered by the narrowing ends, one oscar with silver dollars, smaller cichlids, pleco and oddballs would make that a lovely setup. If you want to try an aggressive community hold out and get a dd 300g, even a standard 180g isn't really enough to cohabit red devil with anything other than a female.
 
Maybe stuff is more expensive up there but honestly that seems high to me for a used setup. I've not priced 180's but a 125 complete setup with stand, hood, glass covers can be had for under $600 USD new.

The width would not really concern me as it's only that narrow on the very ends and looks to be 18"+ through most of the length.
 
A lot to think about! That is a beautiful bowfront from the pictures you posted and it is a show tank. If you are putting this in a high traffic area it will get a lot of complements for sure. If you have to deal with a wife, she will likely approve the set up. It really is a great tank but like pointed with more limitations than a standard 180g. If you want a showpiece based more on the tank than the bowfront is the way to go.

Im mentioning this aspect but it might not apply here. My bowfront was acrylic so that might be the reason. Anyway when empty everything looks normal but when filled with water there were some viewing angles that due to the curved glass distorted the view of the fish a bit. So not the greatest tank to watch the fish. Might be different if its a glass bowfront but just something else to consider.

Like I mentioned earlier I quickly sold off my 72g bow and replaced it with a standard 75g due to the footprint. I loved the look of that bow but when you see your fish struggle at the ends of the tank to turn around it changes your view of the tank quickly.
 
I ended up buying it :).

It is glass not acrylic. Looked really nice.

Maybe I'll post some pics when I have it up it running.

Thanks for your help.

Hey, as you know, I love larger Cichlids and Catfish. If you had an aquarium this size, how would you ideally stock it? I think the one Cichlid I want is either plain-jane Midas/Red Devil or FlowerHorn. What would get along with that in this tank?

And I was thinking maybe a couple Striped Raphael Catfish at the bottom.

Also, for a well stocked aquarium, what do you think would complement the Fluval FX5? A Fluval FX6? Eheim 2262?
 
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Quickstrike said:
Damnit. That sucks.

Yeah, I was looking at Oscars as a possible tankmate too.

Arrgh. It is longer and taller than traditional 180, why did they have to skimp on the width?! lol

So, most larger fish would be happier in a traditional 6x2x2 180 Gallon?

I made an appointment to check it out.. it is a couple hours drive from where I live.. I so wanted to buy it.... So, what is the max length fish that would be OK with 15.5" width? and as I was thinking, most fish turn around at the ends, not in the my spacious middle section?
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lol I'll take it if you don't want it :D
 
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