?'s from a non Cichla owner

[Footballref50]

Ok first of all im addicted before owning! I need to know the min. tank size i can keep a single specimen in A. B: What kind of filtration/water parameters will it require? And lastly just out of curiousity but how do you guys clean your VERY large tanks? Thanks guys!



Ref

 

[Morledzep]

well.. for a single cichla.. the smallest species.. which would be cichla orinocensis, i would say 240 or 300 gallons. smallest foot print would be 8' x 2'.

for the larger sized cichla you would naturally want to increase the foot print of the tank...

as for cleaning..i have a REALLY long gravel vac, i have 55 gallon barrels, and 5 gallon jugs for doing water changes and a step stool. i have some type of algae eating creature in most of the tanks so i really don't have to do much glass cleaning except on the outside of the tank.

 

[Footballref50]

Awesome feedback! I want one so bad but i know i cant have one due to my minimum tank space, so sad! But i'll eventually be able to keep these jaw dropping beauties one day!!!! I will not be denied!!!! LOL! BTW how many recognized "species" (or whatever) of Cichla are there?

 

[Morledzep]

Awesome feedback! I want one so bad but i know i cant have one due to my minimum tank space, so sad! But i'll eventually be able to keep these jaw dropping beauties one day!!!! I will not be denied!!!! LOL! BTW how many recognized "species" (or whatever) of Cichla are there?

check the stickies.. i think silver dragon just redid the list of recognized species. i think there is somewhere around 15 now. there are a few that i probably won't get. lol

 

[Footballref50]

Yea i thought there were only three (now obviously more informed) Hell i got in trouble for calling em "peacock bass" LOL! What size tank/s do you have? And what can you keep with Cichla?

 

[silverdragon]

Morledzep has given you some good information, the bigger the tank the better, i for exapmle have a 6x3x2.5ft 340gal tank.. my filtration consists of a 4ft sump and a powerhead and airstones. check out this thread http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50367 for i.ds on the different sp's, not all ofcourse are available for home aquaria but you never know what the future holds for cichla keepers
to the addiction by the way

 

[Footballref50]

not quite a member lol! But i am bitten hardcore my money once i get it will go to a HUGE tank not the bikes/cars/toys that i want. I dream of a huge tank and that's it!!!!!! I will eventually enjoy a 5000 gal tank one day i guarentee it only barring paying for my kids to have the best education when i have em! But ill get my monster tank, i will! LOL! BTW at least i know better than to think i can keep one in my 90 gal. I keep trying to explain this to my friend who keeps a temensis i believe in a 55 gal. (LUCKILY i have a buddy who owns a LFS and has a 300 gal for it) But i still have to teach my buddy....oh well!

 

[blurock]

Morledzep has given you some good information, the bigger the tank the better, i for exapmle have a 6x3x2.5ft 340gal tank.. my filtration consists of a 4ft sump and a powerhead and airstones. check out this thread http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50367 for i.ds on the different sp's, not all ofcourse are available for home aquaria but you never know what the future holds for cichla keepers
to the addiction by the way

Some great info here already, and it's just the first page of the thread. But could someone explain a bit more on the subject of water parameters for these guys? Where do you keep your chichlas params?

Oh and cleaning big tanks? I have fun and end up with most of the water on me! up to my shoulder and fighting with fish... its quiet the entertainment for friends and family.

 

[Footballref50]

Thanks for the reply blu! I'd like you all to post your tank sizes if you dont mind. And i am quite interested in the water parameters and what other fish can be kept with cichla. Thanks again guys!

 

[blurock]

Thanks for the reply blu! I'd like you all to post your tank sizes if you dont mind. And i am quite interested in the water parameters and what other fish can be kept with cichla. Thanks again guys!

Right now my two big tanks are a 75w and a 300g, and hopefully sometime soon I will be adding a 180 to the mix... but thats after a while of saving...