29 gallon wet pet cichlid ideas

[FINWIN]

Bit of an update on the convict. He’s still stressed out, colors still washed out too. I’m keeping the tank lights off for most of the day. He’s getting better though, I’ll sit by the tank for a few seconds, trying to be at his level or lower, not above him and he will come and look at me. He also ate some Northfin Veggie pellets today no problem, I just had to stand away from the tank a little. Trying to be patient with him. Anyone else have a convict like this? He seems much different and more observant than my Carpintis which I actually find really interesting.

Get some fake lily pads (amazon) for doppled effect and shade off some brightness. You can also try a long silk repti vine that he can explore along the bottom, darting in and out.

You may have to sprinkle a darker color into your substrate too, to bring it 'down' a bit.

 

[Matth05]

Actually, they will thrive even as low as 68F.

Wow didn’t think they can withstand temps that cold. I lowered the temp to around 76-77. Gonna keep it right at that, don’t want to keep changing water temps.

 

[Matth05]

Get some fake lily pads (amazon) for doppled effect and shade off some brightness. You can also try a long silk repti vine that he can explore along the bottom, darting in and out.

You may have to sprinkle a darker color into your substrate too, to bring it 'down' a bit.

Okay, I’ll look into those. I actually have a spare bag of black gravel I can probably sprinkle in once he gets a little more comfortable.

 

[FINWIN]

My fish love these.

 

[Matth05]

My fish love these.

Cool, thanks. Would you just suction them onto the glass?

 

[FINWIN]

Cool, thanks. Would you just suction them onto the glass?

You can, or you can just scrunch them and let them hang mid level to bottom. In my biggest tank I just let them tangle and even my big fish like just 'hanging' in them or under. The smaller fish are always darting through. Really calms a tank of squabbling cichlids.

 

[FINWIN]

These are some pics showing the versatility of silk vines. I layer mine for the most natural effect. The less perfect the better.

 

[FINWIN]

Some of the silk leaves are covered in algae making them seem most natural. The piece in the center (first pic) is actually a plastic garland which has faded perfectly.

 

[FINWIN]

Lots of possibilities. I have some free floating, some sinking. My acara Jazz likes to nest in cover.

 

[FINWIN]

I have two vines hanging off the back wall, secured by wrapping them around heater and powerhead cords. They bend into nice shapes too, like the arch in the second pic. My fish will swim under it. I also use the 3ft fake bamboo plants. Some I plant and some I cut up to float.