New setup questions

[troubleshootn]

I have a 40 gal column aquarium with black tahitian moon sand. I usually do native species but Id like to try cichlids. ANy recs on what would look great with that substrate and could stay in a 40 gal without outgrowing?

Thanks

Oh and Ill be adding rock for cover, with vegatation.

 

[Cross127]

So it's a tube tank? do have demensions?

 

[FishingOut]

Add a cave, not a rock. 40gal column is not a very big tank. I would probably stick with some dwarf cichlids or have a pair of breeding marble cons or something. Definatly no cichlid that grows over 5in.

 

[Sab_Fan]

most cichlids prefer tanks that are tall, not long . . . maybe angels would take to it?

 

[Cross127]

Wouldn't even go angels. Do dwarf cichlids like Apisto or Microgeophagus with some small characins.

 

[Sab_Fan]

still the same problem . . . most cichlids prefer middle- and lower-levels of a tank, so in a column tank that upper level space is wasted . . . but maybe you're right, the characins can fill that gap . . .

 

[Sarah88]

i would do a pair of angels with some hatchet fish for the top and maybe some other dither fish for more activity in the middle of the tank, or you could do some dwarfs or something, like previously said most fish need more horizontal length rather than vertical, so the shape of the tank really lowers your choices

 

[Cross127]

still the same problem . . . most cichlids prefer middle- and lower-levels of a tank, so in a column tank that upper level space is wasted . . . but maybe you're right, the characins can fill that gap . . .

Thats why I had mentioned characins exactly. It would be more appealing of a tank with cichlids bobbing in and out of driftwood and plants with characins kinda going all about. I actually have a 45 hex that i have never setup and I am stocking it with dwarf cichlids and 2 schools of tetra species.

 

[troubleshootn]

Great info guys, I like the sound of a dwarf cich tank, with the charicins. Ill give that a try and post some pics. Its actually a pretty tank and I know my opt were limited with the size but it still sounds like a nice setup with the species mentioned.

 

[Cross127]

Try some Laetacara dorsigera and some Microgeophagus Ramierezi for the cichlids.