I just picked up 4 cichla that i have in a 40 gallon tank. I am going to buy a 180 for them. I was going to get 2 fluval fx5 for filters and two 300w heaters. Do you think that would be a good setup? Any suggestions?
Help me set up my new cichla tank
- Thread starter Hardhead
- Start date
Just back from the store think i am going to go with a 220 since its the same footprint. I will add a circulation pump and air pump.
They r hiding from me still. I will get a pic when I can. 3 of the 4 ate so far. Gave em guppies since that is all they will eat right now.
Set up sounds good to me man. I don't mind feeding the fish live food, and it's not "bad" for them at all. What do you plan on keeping water temp at? Don't let people convince you your fish are going to get ick for LFS feeders... Especially if your temp is above what ick can live at (82+). Your fish are built and designed to break down the fish and bacteria and pull all needed nutrients from them while doing it fast enough to avoid serious health issues. Don't forget, in the wild these guys don't have "healthy packed flakes".
Good luck with the set up!
may need to add another 300 watt heater especially if you go to the 220. I would also add some sort of air or forced circulation to the tank. What do you want to keep your temp at? i would say keep it above 84 at least
Got the temp at 86 right now. I think 3 heaters sounds good that room it will be in is a little cooler then the rest of the house since it is on a slab. Girl at lfs told me to keep the water at 75 to 78 
I will most likely add a bubbler of some type. Never used a circ pump?
I will most likely add a bubbler of some type. Never used a circ pump?Not too worried about this as well. I just havent had a fish that eats others since i had my snakehead about 25 years ago. I had him for 5 years and thats is all he would eat until he decided to launch himself out of his tank. More of a convience thing. The tank they r in now could be used for a feeder tank not sure how the wife would go with that though
Yeah 86 is what i keep mine at as well. And 2 300 watt e series heaters cant keep it up there. Had to add abother 300.