75gal cichlid tank

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Z

Zari

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 9, 2011
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Aurora,Colorado
Ok here with in a week I'm starting my first job and I figured what better way to reward myself then buying a fish tank? :D Anyways after my first pay check or 2(maybe 3?) depending I'm going to buy a 75gallon tank with hopes of making it a cichlid tank. My LFS has a couple tanks of Assorted African Cichlids which I quite like and was thinking about getting for my 30 then I came home and did a lil research and a 30 isn't enough. >.<
Anyways I was just wonder what I should know about em. I'm not 100% sure on the species but it looks like the main ones in the tanks are, Electric Yellows, Electric Blues, and Red Zebras? I could easily just be blowing smoke out my ass tho. all I really know for sure is there are solid yellow solid blue and orange ones -shrug-.

Anyways I'm totally open to advice on filter heater and even stock. This will be my first "large" tank aside from my turtle pond which is a totally different story.
 
I have a 65g with 13 Malawi's in it, I have an Eheim 2217 with an in line heater. Depending on how much the 3rd check is, you may need to wait until the 4th or 5th, but don't cheap out on components, you will only end up replacing them with the ones you should have bought in the first place. Also, I would get a crushed coral type substrate as to avoid mixing buffers into your water to get the ph where it needs to be. Lastly, Africans tend to look better with "reef" style lighting, that is a mix of 10k and actinic. I have three 10k with one actinic on mine and they look fantastic.
 
joecoulson;4955698; said:
I have a 65g with 13 Malawi's in it, I have an Eheim 2217 with an in line heater. Depending on how much the 3rd check is, you may need to wait until the 4th or 5th, but don't cheap out on components, you will only end up replacing them with the ones you should have bought in the first place. Also, I would get a crushed coral type substrate as to avoid mixing buffers into your water to get the ph where it needs to be. Lastly, Africans tend to look better with "reef" style lighting, that is a mix of 10k and actinic. I have three 10k with one actinic on mine and they look fantastic.
Click to expand...

I dont plan on cheaping but since I don't have anything else to spend the money on right away(3 cheers for living at home) I hope it doesn't take more then 2 paychecks, I'm guessing they will be around 350-380ea if that helps?
I know I want to get at least the tank filter and maybe heater first so I can start cycling it
and I dont plan on buying a stand ill probably just find a free desk on craigslist or if push comes to shove make one
 
FYI, 75g filled with water and substrate and avg number of decorations/rocks will weigh over 750lbs, not many "desks" will support that.

Items list:
Eheim or Rena filter
Jager heater
T5 light (NO or HO)
Aragonite
Something sturdy (you can make your own, see Mike Dunagans DIY thread for great ideas)
 
joecoulson;4956052; said:
FYI, 75g filled with water and substrate and avg number of decorations/rocks will weigh over 750lbs, not many "desks" will support that.

Items list:
Eheim or Rena filter
Jager heater
T5 light (NO or HO)
Aragonite
Something sturdy (you can make your own, see Mike Dunagans DIY thread for great ideas)
Click to expand...

I wasn't planing on using some whimpy desk I'd make sure I'm comfortable putting all the weight on it before I already know it would have to be something a lot more solid then a standard computer desk.

on the t5 lighting part whats the (NO or HO) part mean, pardon my lack of knowledge
And for clarification Aragonite sand right? That's to keep the PH up right? is there anyway to go with play sand and keep the PH up easily? or no?
 
My tip would be, if there are any in your area, to get your stock from a local breeder / fish club. We had a swap here last weekend and I picked up a 75 gal myself (used, but working fantastic) for about 100 bucks.

It includes
7 yellow labs (awesome strain)
7 Red Zebras
7 Maingano
10 White top hara
5 Ps. "Flavus"
10 Lab. "Perlmutt"

All juvies now, will be thinning out the pack later. But you can't beat 4 dozen fish for $100, especially when compared to LFS prices sadly.
 
NO = Normal Output Less expensive but less light output
HO = High output

If you get reg sand (don't get Play Sand, get pool filter sand) then you will have to use something else in the water to buffer the PH high for the Africans

If you get Aragonite (which is essentially crushed coral) it will buffer the water ideally for you and it will be hassle free. It also helps to maintain consistency with water changes and maintenance.
 
olsonwa07;4956152; said:
My tip would be, if there are any in your area, to get your stock from a local breeder / fish club. We had a swap here last weekend and I picked up a 75 gal myself (used, but working fantastic) for about 100 bucks.

It includes
7 yellow labs (awesome strain)
7 Red Zebras
7 Maingano
10 White top hara
5 Ps. "Flavus"
10 Lab. "Perlmutt"

All juvies now, will be thinning out the pack later. But you can't beat 4 dozen fish for $100, especially when compared to LFS prices sadly.
Click to expand...

Well I'm hoping to pick up the tank at least of craigslist hopefully 75-100 for it otherwise im stuck buying one new and so far the cheapest I found is 200 >.<. As for stock I think I'm stuck buying from the LFS(4 Sm. for $10) I don't know any breeders or fish clubs around here.
 
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