Cichla Pond

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kendragon

kendragon

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MFK Member
Mar 23, 2009
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I need some suggestions.
I'm raising two farmie ocell in a ten gallon tank. Got it in May at 1" and is now 5". My original plan was to do a cichla pond so I got a 1600 gallon pond and 2000W titanium heater. Several aquaculture companies talked my out it due to heating cost. They probably didn't understand the hobby and is only looking at it from a cost bases. Well, the pond is installed and the heater is sitting in the garage.
Several weeks ago I bought a used 260gallon tank thinking that I can throw the two ocells in it. Problem is because I took so long polishing the tank and building the stand it won't have enough time to cycle before I leave for vacation. Family and friends won't know how to manage it while I'm gone.
I will be going home to Hawaii for four weeks. Hopefully I will have time to fish for cichla at Lake Wilson.
My choices are to trade it for credit at the LFS or put it in the pond and hope it can handle the San Diego summer. Pond temp is at 78 deg.
What should I do?.
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put them in the pond and stock it with a **** load of feeders! .. when you get back they are going to be tripple in size.
 
yea boostens idea is good but i was thinking what if they jumped. 1000 feeders will easiy last them a 2 weeks. maybe more.
 
well hey, they talked you outta the heater for long term usage.
so just put it on the pond for 4 weeks while your gone and then setup the 260gallon when you return.
;)
 
CichlaRyan;3255371; said:
yea boostens idea is good but i was thinking what if they jumped. 1000 feeders will easiy last them a 2 weeks. maybe more.
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they sell nets if your worried...
 
Thanks for the help guys. I installed a net over the pond which should also help me from losing anymore fish to preditors. I've lost four hi fin sharks over a few months.
I transported the two cichla from inside in an ice chest. Worked great as I mixed the pond water into it. After about an hour, in they went. They went straight to the bottom and sat for about 5 minutes. A 5" fish on the bottom of a four feet pond looks very small. The two guys are swimming at about mid level. I wish I had more cichla because they look ready good schooling. The color on them appears to be less stressed as they were in the tank. It's dark now so I won't attempt to feed them. I hope they don't eat my hi fins which are about three inches. Will post some pic when I get the chance.
 
FISHY FINGAZ;3265894; said:
you didnt need to put them in the pond just yet, it takes around 24 hours to cycle a freshwater tank!
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sorry but that is incorrect it can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 weeks sometimes more
 
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