Future RD tank-Should I weigh down the top lids?

[big train]

I think u need to put on a standerd glass top no weight my bigest and best devils grow from fry to 6" in 1 year and slow down alot after that i would also stock the tank with convicts for the cycle and as feeders get a couple of pairs and get them started asap lol.

 

[JeffLeMay]

i wouldn't necessarily bother with weighing down the lid, just make sure you have one on there. mine is always trying to jump out

 

[JESTERX626]

Oh, so they're not strong enough to break the lids nor move them? Good.

How do I go about feeding a fish that hopefully will be a glassbanger?

 

[large_cichlids]

I would go with the cichlid gold pellets which bring out colors in cichlids especially reddevils.some people dont recomend but rarely feed beefheart as i heard that rapidly increase growth,If it does become a glass banger,all i can say is watch your hands.I learned the hard way

 

[cichlid savage]

!!I also wonder, how would I gravel vac my tank if the RD tries to attack the siphon?

Very quickly and watch out for your fingers!!!

 

[cichlid savage]

On a serious note my RD's have grown at about 1" per month, the biggest 1 is about 9" now and has slowed down a bit, the smaller about 5" and still growing strong. As far as as feeding a variety of foods will help along with keeping on top of water quality. I feed hikari cichlid staple, gold, and bio gold to my fish along with krill and a wide range of frozen foods and the occasional feeder ( but only after i have kept them a week or so).

 

[Jason_S]

if you have standard glass lids then I don't see any reason to weigh them down. I've never had a problem with a larger cichlid jumping out of the tank except when being overzealous when I lift the lid at feeding time. :lol:

as for feeding, any type of quality cichlid pellet will do and you can add treats like blood worms, black worms, krill, raw shrimp or other seafood, earthworms etc.