American Cichlid Tank setups

[Bill83]

Hello first post here,

I currently have three tanks 125, 135 and a 4x2 120 gallon.

Looking to setup a south or central american cichlid tank in the 4x2 120 gallon tank

Any suggestions on stocking ?

I know oscars will destroy plants and pretty much anything else they can dig up but do you guys know of any other setups i can do with a planted tank ?


Thanks
Bill

 

[tlindsey]

Hello first post here,

I currently have three tanks 125, 135 and a 4x2 120 gallon.

Looking to setup a south or central american cichlid tank in the 4x2 120 gallon tank

Any suggestions ?

I know oscars will destroy plans and pretty much anything else they can dig up but do you guys know of any other setups i can do with a planted tank ?


Thanks
Bill

Welcome aboard
Do you know what your PH have tested water GH, and KH coming from your tap? That will make suggestions easier for us.

 

[Bill83]

Welcome aboard
Do you know what your PH have tested water GH, and KH coming from your tap? That will make suggestions easier for us.

Mid to high 7s for PH, i have an overstocked mbuna tank so for africians it works out nice. If i can keep plants then ill inject Co2 and it will help lower the ph to low 7s. To be honest i am all over the place with what i wanna do i really like the idea of maybe a pair of red terrors. I mainly do reef tank stuff so i honestly forget what my GH/KH is out of the tap because i have been using rodi water in the reef tanks for so long but if i remember correctly my KH was also low for plants

 

[Bill83]

i also think like maybe a small school of some threadfins would be cool with plants try to make it a "peaceful tank" or at least as peaceful as possible

 

[tlindsey]

GH/KH is

I suggest testing because I was going to suggest Apistogramma or Rams for the planted aquarium.
Also the Oscar would be prone to hole in the head disease if the water parameters aren't suited for them.

 

[Bill83]

Also the Oscar would be prone to hole in the head disease if the water parameters aren't suited for them.

I was under the assumption that hole in head was from lack of filtration

 

[tlindsey]

threadfins

Threadfin as in Geo Heckelii?

 

[Bill83]

i have 1 FX6 i can use and i would buy another if needed if i did decide to do an oscar would i just do 1 in the 120 ?

 

[Bill83]

Threadfin as in Geo Heckelii?

yeah i know my LFS always has the albino ones but i have seen the regular non albino ones for sale as well.

Threadfin Acara

 

[tlindsey]

I was under the assumption that hole in head was from lack of filtration

Filtration also can play a part if not kept free of waste.
Waste will contribute to Nitrate. Proper water changes and aquarium maintenance is crucial.