After setting up quite a few tanks from 20 gallon to now working on an 850 gallon, I was thinking this morning about a few things I like & do not like for big cichla tanks:
I DO NOT LIKE:
(1) I do not like big tanks with built in overflows... The bigger the cichla get the more aggressive they get. Not to mention simple math will show you that the space from the top of the water to the support brackets of the tank (& the lids) becomes less & less when it is considered in relation to the size of the fish. What this means is the space is more when compared to a little fish breaking the water to eat, but is much less when considering a big fish breaking the water... plus the big fish are more aggressive & coming out of the water more. I have witnessed this in my 180 gallon where the fish are finally getting to a size where they are all swimming around with their heads & top of their bodies scraped up from hitting the top of the tank.
(2) I do not like Acrylic tanks with openings cut out on top & overflows built in. Same principal here as above (fish hit their heads), but also the acrylic is tougher to clean when having to reach through the openings to get multiple areas inside the tank. Plus the acrylic you have to use special pads for cleaning the acrylic & be extra careful to watch for any sand getting caught on the pad which will scratch the acrylic terribly. AND lets not forget how much more expensive acrylic is than glass!
(3) I do not like Too much decoration in the "Big Fish Tanks". I have gone through the labor of making a tank look great, just to see these monsters constantly sweep the decorations throughout the tank! I have found open space with driftwood, some nice size riverstones placed sporadically throughout pool filter sand on the bottom, & maybe some fake foliage for color STRATEGICALLY placed.
(4) I do not like A completely empty tank with nothing in it but fish. For my enjoyment, I need some sort of landscape or it just doesn't do it for me. Plus I feel the fish like it more just because it creates more things going on which I feel creates more potential to stimulate the fish.
I LIKE:
(1) I like A glass tank. They are heavier, but that's not a problem in my opinion once you get to the big big tanks they are all heavy!
(2) I like A glass tank with no cuts in it. This tank has much less potential to break when moving. It also is easier to clean with 4 solid walls. It does not scratch nearly as easy as acrylic.
(3) I like A closed loop system with proper flow rate & back wash capability. This set-up has kept my biggest tank the easiest of all to maintain & clean.
(4) I like A sump mechanical & cannister biological. This set up has seemed to work very well with keeping my parameters good on the tanks that have it. Plus they are easy to diagnose an issue & maintain.
(5) I like no overflows... This is a big one for me... In my big tanks which are glass, no overflows, & plumbed "over the top" I can adjust the water height for the fish to splash less (& they splash!) & create less potential for them to hurt themselves on the top brackets & top covers.
I'm sure I am forgetting some & I bet others can add onto both these lists!
I DO NOT LIKE:
(1) I do not like big tanks with built in overflows... The bigger the cichla get the more aggressive they get. Not to mention simple math will show you that the space from the top of the water to the support brackets of the tank (& the lids) becomes less & less when it is considered in relation to the size of the fish. What this means is the space is more when compared to a little fish breaking the water to eat, but is much less when considering a big fish breaking the water... plus the big fish are more aggressive & coming out of the water more. I have witnessed this in my 180 gallon where the fish are finally getting to a size where they are all swimming around with their heads & top of their bodies scraped up from hitting the top of the tank.
(2) I do not like Acrylic tanks with openings cut out on top & overflows built in. Same principal here as above (fish hit their heads), but also the acrylic is tougher to clean when having to reach through the openings to get multiple areas inside the tank. Plus the acrylic you have to use special pads for cleaning the acrylic & be extra careful to watch for any sand getting caught on the pad which will scratch the acrylic terribly. AND lets not forget how much more expensive acrylic is than glass!
(3) I do not like Too much decoration in the "Big Fish Tanks". I have gone through the labor of making a tank look great, just to see these monsters constantly sweep the decorations throughout the tank! I have found open space with driftwood, some nice size riverstones placed sporadically throughout pool filter sand on the bottom, & maybe some fake foliage for color STRATEGICALLY placed.
(4) I do not like A completely empty tank with nothing in it but fish. For my enjoyment, I need some sort of landscape or it just doesn't do it for me. Plus I feel the fish like it more just because it creates more things going on which I feel creates more potential to stimulate the fish.
I LIKE:
(1) I like A glass tank. They are heavier, but that's not a problem in my opinion once you get to the big big tanks they are all heavy!
(2) I like A glass tank with no cuts in it. This tank has much less potential to break when moving. It also is easier to clean with 4 solid walls. It does not scratch nearly as easy as acrylic.
(3) I like A closed loop system with proper flow rate & back wash capability. This set-up has kept my biggest tank the easiest of all to maintain & clean.
(4) I like A sump mechanical & cannister biological. This set up has seemed to work very well with keeping my parameters good on the tanks that have it. Plus they are easy to diagnose an issue & maintain.
(5) I like no overflows... This is a big one for me... In my big tanks which are glass, no overflows, & plumbed "over the top" I can adjust the water height for the fish to splash less (& they splash!) & create less potential for them to hurt themselves on the top brackets & top covers.
I'm sure I am forgetting some & I bet others can add onto both these lists!
