Stocking help needed

[zyno]

Hi All!,
I'm new to this forum and say "Hi" to everyone!

I have a question and need some help.

I'm in the process of constructing a new tank and have a couple of CA cichlids (juvies)I recently bought and need some stocking ideas? I would like to stay with CA cichlids.

I'm in the process of joining two 55 gallons tank end to end. This will create an eight foot tank. Not sure if this qualifies as a monster tank?

My current juvies are one EBJD and one Salvini. I also have a chocolate pl*co (5").

My thoughts are to additionally stock the tank with 3-4 Nics., and maybe 3-4 Rainbows (CA cichlid)? I'm open to suggestions! I know it is only 110 gallons, but I was thinking the eight foot length would compensate somewhat.
I've used 33 gallon four foot tanks with AC and would keep as many in it as I would in my 55's with similar results. Obvious great filtration and large water changes are standard with my tanks. I'm kind of a fan of overstocking to spread out the aggression.

I also like the Escondido, but know nothing about this fish.

So basically I would like to know if my stocking ideas are valid. 8-10 CA cichlids does seem like a lot!


Thanks in advance!
Tony

 

[rmcder]

So you're taking out the "middle" glass and somehow physically joining the ends to make a continuous open space 8' long? Interesting.

No pairs? Assuming fish that don't get too large, but are at their full-grown size, I would guess that you could get away with 8-10 mellow fish, or 6-7 more feisty ones. The problem (for me) is that you're talking about multiple nics and rainbows, so there WOULD be pairs in all likelihood. That, in my mind, moves the tank to "feisty".

 

[zyno]

Well I now have an 8 ft. tank. So far so good!
I bought three Rainbow cichlids to go with my EBJD and Salvini. All sizes are about 2-3 inch's. I think I will get a Firemouth and call it quits unless I can find two female Nics? How does that stocking list look?
Currently the tank is cycling and the cichlids are in other established tanks.
To summarize; I bought two used 55 gallon tanks and then removed one end from each. I bought some cinder blocks and 3/4" plywood for my stand. After assembling the stand I joined the two tanks together with silicone and a couple of glass strips across the seams for strength.
My total cost so far is about $140.

Here is a couple of photos of the tank. Since this is in my basement (soon to be fishroom) I'm not overly concerned about the "look" of the tank. I know it is kind of ugly!

 

[Nik]

Whoaaaa don't get a firemouth!!!! It will quickly get the life beat out of it by your other cichlids. I would go for a breeding convict pair instead, and when you other cichlids get bigger a green terror or maybe a pike cichlid or two

 

[sick_lid]

Rainbows aren't the most aggressive cichlid, but having the length that you have can definitely be suitable for a firemouth as well. They're really not as tough as most think, more bullying than actual physical aggression. As far as the Escondido, no. A good sized male can get atleast a foot long, and although you do have 8' in length, the 12" in width is definitely going to lower your cichlid choices. To tell you the truth, I think with the 6 cichlids you have in mind, you shouldn't add anything else. Maybe get some more mollies and such dither fish to lower the aggression you might get.

Also, hopefully the new seams work out for you. I personally would have done something different with the cinder blocks, especially in the center, but hopefully there's not to much stress on there. Pretty cool idea joining them, but I could never rest assured! Maybe adding some sort of air curtain/stone in the middle could take away from the handyman look!