Returning to hobby - looking for 180 gallon ideas

[MDH]

Hey there,

Getting back into the hobby after 8 years of major life changes, including getting married and having 2 kids. I was once an avid hobbyist who had 6+ tanks on the go, ranging from 10g rescue to a 75g showpiece tank. I've only ever been into new world cichlids, and am already convinced this hasn't changed.

I want my setup to be as natural of a setup as possible. I'm thinking of a simple big rocks and driftwood setup.

I'm already shopping for the tank. Ideally I can pull this off completely before end of March (I like deadlines!).

I'll likely keep it well understocked. 2-3 breeding pairs of different species would be ideal. I've been wanting a breeding pair of Nandopsis tetracanthus since I left the hobby, so that's my only strong feeling so far.

Would love to hear some other ideas on how to setup this tank, or for stocking ideas! Also, I've been away from the hobby for so long that I'm probably not even thinking basics here.

 

[tlindsey]

Hey there,

Getting back into the hobby after 8 years of major life changes, including getting married and having 2 kids. I was once an avid hobbyist who had 6+ tanks on the go, ranging from 10g rescue to a 75g showpiece tank. I've only ever been into new world cichlids, and am already convinced this hasn't changed.

I want my setup to be as natural of a setup as possible. I'm thinking of a simple big rocks and driftwood setup.

I'm already shopping for the tank. Ideally I can pull this off completely before end of March (I like deadlines!).

I'll likely keep it well understocked. 2-3 breeding pairs of different species would be ideal. I've been wanting a breeding pair of Nandopsis tetracanthus since I left the hobby, so that's my only strong feeling so far.

Would love to hear some other ideas on how to setup this tank, or for stocking ideas! Also, I've been away from the hobby for so long that I'm probably not even thinking basics here.

Welcome back!

Get the group of Cuban Cichlids and add some livebearer's. Biotope Setup.

 

[MDH]

Welcome back!

Get the group of Cuban Cichlids and add some livebearer's. Biotope Setup.

Thanks! Looking forward to diving back in. I like your suggestion too, thank you.

 

[FIU Panther]

I'll likely keep it well understocked. 2-3 breeding pairs of different species would be ideal. I've been wanting a breeding pair of Nandopsis tetracanthus since I left the hobby, so that's my only strong feeling so far.

I don't have a ton of experience on South or Central American cichlids, but I think you may run into issues running 2-3 different breeding pairs even in a 180g unless you went with specimens that stayed small. I had a breeding pair of angels in a planted 125g and those guys were a terror to the other angels and they weren't even full grown.

 

[Carter020108]

A group of red tiger mota

 

[ragin_cajun]

I am starting to like the idea of smaller size fish in larger tanks. And mixing fish size. So...I’d suggest a big Vieja mixed with smaller pairs like Sajica, Multispinosa, and a crew of small clown loaches.

 

[duanes]

A mated pair of tetracanthus would dominate a 180 gal themselves, and probably not allow for any other cichlids,
I agree with the others, dithers that were suggested would be better than other cichlids, although they must be large enough to not be prey.
I have kept pairs of tetracanthus in the past in a similar size tank, and they would not allow any other cichlids to live in that amount space (especially during spawning periods).
I have a 180 running at the moment, it has about a dozen cichlids living fairly comfortably, but they are not loners like Nandopsis or Parachromis would be with that size foot print. More social Central American species would IMO work better, groups (shoals) of Thorichthys or Cribroheros could work, and make a stunning display, also with surface dwelling dithers, and "not"create a bloodbath, like many aggressive centrals would, in the space allowed .
Below, a shot ofmy 180 (I don't consider it a large tank, when it comes to territorial cichlids, with a dozen Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, some tetra dithers, and a goby,

 

[TheWolfman]

Welcome back, I don’t have any stock suggestions, but I will say go with your gut. If you don’t your going to have another tank in your future. I took a break just like you and ended up right back where I left off. Since you don’t have the tank yet why not just go for the 220, better dimensions for a display tank and same footprint.

 

[MDH]

I don't have a ton of experience on South or Central American cichlids, but I think you may run into issues running 2-3 different breeding pairs even in a 180g unless you went with specimens that stayed small. I had a breeding pair of angels in a planted 125g and those guys were a terror to the other angels and they weren't even full grown.

Good advice - I will stick to 1 pair if I go with a larger CA.

A group of red tiger mota

I've owned these in the past, great fish!

I am starting to like the idea of smaller size fish in larger tanks. And mixing fish size. So...I’d suggest a big Vieja mixed with smaller pairs like Sajica, Multispinosa, and a crew of small clown loaches.

I've never owned any of these fish, will do some research. Thanks!

A mated pair of tetracanthus would dominate a 180 gal themselves, and probably not allow for any other cichlids,
I agree with the others, dithers that were suggested would be better than other cichlids, although they must be large enough to not be prey.
I have kept pairs of tetracanthus in the past in a similar size tank, and they would not allow any other cichlids to live in that amount space (especially during spawning periods).
I have a 180 running at the moment, it has about a dozen cichlids living fairly comfortably, but they are not loners like Nandopsis or Parachromis would be with that size foot print. More social Central American species would IMO work better, groups (shoals) of Thorichthys or Cribroheros could work, and make a stunning display, also with surface dwelling dithers, and "not"create a bloodbath, like many aggressive centrals would, in the space allowed .
Below, a shot ofmy 180 (I don't consider it a large tank, when it comes to territorial cichlids, with a dozen Andinoacara coerleopunctatus, some tetra dithers, and a goby,
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Beautiful tank! I'm leaning more and more with going for a single pair of Cubans w/dithers. I'm also considering Beani If I can find them easy enough.

Welcome back, I don’t have any stock suggestions, but I will say go with your gut. If you don’t your going to have another tank in your future. I took a break just like you and ended up right back where I left off. Since you don’t have the tank yet why not just go for the 220, better dimensions for a display tank and same footprint.

I hear you on the gut thing. My initial thought was to get a 75g and stock it, but I've always wanted a 180g tank. I was actually at a local pet store this past weekend ready to buy the 75g, and my gut told me to go 180g so here I am. Will do the same for stocking as well, once I get there.

 

[duanes]

I have also kept beani, I had a pair in a 150, that killed all other cichlids that I tried in the tank by the time they reached 5", they then spawned, if they could not kill others, they seemed to bloat up and die from the stress.
When you think about how they live, both beani, and tetracanthus are the only cichlids endemic to their respective habitats, so a cichlid community setting is not in either ones instinctual psyche.
Large Mexican live bearers like sail fin mollies, or Gambusia, would be natural cohabitants in beani habitat,
And Cuban killi's like Cubanichthys cubensis, or live bearers like Limia for tetracanthus, although all would be prey. unless sufficiently large.