considering a switch to cichlids

[seaburst]

I'm having a right old struggle with my south american themed tropical set up since moving house in June. The move really knocked my fish for six and I lost a few, which I suppose is to be expected but it's still bloody annoying.

The main reason I'm thinking of switching things up is the water's gone from being reasonably soft to hard as nails - 7.9ph to be exact. I've been doing some reading and it seems this is perfect for cichlids, but it's been a nightmare for my current stock and plants. I've lost a few fish and the plants are dying off, which I'm pretty sure is down to the water.

Having a 2 month old daughter doesn't help, either. I just don't have the time to look after the plants like I used to, so it's all getting a bit much. Cichlids seem like a good option, though - the tanks are just rock work and easy to maintain, with a regular clean to get rid of waste. No dosing ferts or pruning required. My daughter's starting to take an interest in the tank, too, so the bright colours of cichlids would be great.

I've got a 3' Juwel Vision 180 aquarium and I've been to my LFS - they've agreed to take back my remaining tropical stock so I can swap to cichlids. But how do I actually do it? I've started buying rocks and decorations, but the substrate's proving tricky. I've got a small grain black gravel at the moment and I'm wondering if I should swap it for a coarse sand. Cichlids like to dig around, don't they?

I don't want to rush the whole process, so I'll be doing it over the course of a week or so. How can I keep my filter alive while I'm doing the swap? Will I have to re-cycle the tank if the filter's idle for that long? Is there a way to keep my bacterial colony alive?

As for species, I'm after something bright. Yellow labs are on the list and I've seen some bluey/purple ones with black stripes that look great. The guy at the LFS said I should stock about 12 fish, but that seems like a lot for the tank size. I won't be able to stock fully straight away, anyway - I've read that new additions can get bullied. What's the best way to stock, then?

[flinty9]

To be honest, I'd just use a small amount of 100% ammonia every couple of days to keep the beneficial bacteria ticking over.

[fineman]

When dosing with ammonia, just 3ppm will do, make sure levels drop back to zero before introducing any fish. A 90% water change will also be necessary to remove built-up nitrates.

[waterworlds]

I've got a few suggestions that might be helpful, and I'm sorry if this post ends up being a bit of a read.

First off, regarding your current substrate, I think it'll be fine if you give it a good cleaning. I'm assuming you'll be tearing the tank down to get all the plants out and add new rocks and decor, so that's the perfect time to give it a thorough clean.

Now, about stocking numbers - this is a topic that a lot of people disagree on, so I can only share my personal experience. The number of cichlids you can have will depend on the type and their adult size. You mentioned yellow lab cichlids, which I highly recommend - they're amazing-looking fish and very well-tempered for African cichlids. If you stick with cichlids that are about the same size as the yellow lab, around 4-5 inches full-grown, you should be fine with 12-15 fish in that tank, depending on the types you choose.

Aquascaping is where things get fun. What you do here will depend a lot on the cichlids you get. For example, yellow labs do best with lots of rocks arranged to create as many caves and nooks as possible, since they come from a very rocky lake. They need lots of places to hide and feel safe. Another great thing about the rocks is that if you set them up right, they can help break up the line of sight, which can help keep aggression down.

You asked about adding different fish at different times, and how to deal with territorial issues. It's actually pretty simple. Set up your tank and arrange the rocks how you like, but don't arrange them the way you want them permanently. When you add your first fish, they'll immediately start claiming areas of the tank as their own, which is good - it helps them stay calm and know their place. When you add new fish, move the rocks around into a new formation, mix it up as much as you can, and then add the new fish. This makes everyone think they're in a new area, and it not only gives the new fish a chance to claim some territory, but it also gives the old fish something else to think about instead of picking on the new fish.

Another thing you'll need to decide is whether you'll do an all-male tank or a mixed male-female tank. Each has its pros and cons, so I'd do some research and see what sounds like it will work best for you.

Lastly, you're probably used to a bit of fighting and chasing between your fish, but with cichlids, that's going to go up a notch. Even the most peaceful African cichlids can be little terrors, so don't freak out too much if they start fighting or chasing each other around. It takes some time for everyone to find their place in the tank, and until they do, they'll fight over space, food, and everything else.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me anytime and I'll do my best to help.

[seaburst]

Thanks for the replies, really helpful indeed.

I've had a look at my current substrate, it's a black Quartz that was quite pricey, and I'm wondering if the grain size is suitable for cichlids to dig around in. I've attached a picture so you can see the grain size for yourself.

As for the tank maintenance, I just need to get some ammonia to keep my bacteria happy while I'm making the changes. Then it's just a case of waiting for my rocks to arrive and deciding on my stock. Sounds simple enough, but I'm not sure how I'll fit it all in with my current schedule. Between working 12 hour days, looking after my 2 month old daughter, and having visitors all the time, my Saturdays at the football are about the only thing that's staying the same.

[frosty9]

I noticed you're a Brighton fan - are you from around these parts, then? You're more than welcome to swing by and check out my tank; I'm just near Worthing.

I've got a Juwel 125 set up with Pseudotropheus Saulosi, the dwarf Mbuna. My experience with them has been pretty positive, I've got 11 in there - 4 males - and to be honest, I think that's about the right number for the tank. Generally, the rule of thumb is to have 2 or 3 females per male to keep aggression in check, but mine seems to be working out alright. The Saulosi are a great choice if you're looking for some colour - the females are a lovely bright yellow, while the males are blue and black. One thing to keep in mind is that they're smaller than your average Mbuna, so you can get away with having a few more in the tank. For substrate, I just use regular play sand - they love digging around in it.

[seaburst]

I'm a Brighton lad through and through, born and bred, just made the move to Hassocks in June so we're practically neighbours.

I'd love to swing by and take a look at your setup, still undecided on the rock work front and I'm keen to get some inspiration. The Vision 180's got some height to it, so I don't want to go too crazy with the rocks, but at the same time, I need plenty of hiding spots for the cichlids.

Do you reckon I can find some decent rock work at a garden centre? My LFS is charging an arm and a leg, so I'm on the hunt for a more budget-friendly option.

[frosty9]

I picked up my rocks from Maidenhead at Hickstead, the cost was pretty reasonable to be honest, I just gave them a good clean before adding them to the tank. I kept the rockwork fairly low, about a third of the way up the tank, this seems to work well and provides enough hiding spots without overwhelming the space. I'm pretty tied up with work at the moment, but I should be around later in the month if you'd like to swing by and take a look at my setup. I've been thinking of swapping to slate in the future, I've found some that looks pretty good, it might be worth considering for your tank as well.

[seaburst]

That slate does look pretty good. I stopped by the Hassocks garden centre on the way home and saw a really nice setup they had in one of their tanks, it was white rock with these weird shapes and holes in it, really caught my eye and I think it would look great against my black gravel, shame it was in a live tank and not for sale.

[zena4]

To be honest, I think a low maintenance planted tank could be the way forward, but I'm not sure that's suitable for me right now. I've had a lot on my plate lately, what with the move and the new baby, and I'm not sure I'd be able to give the tank the care it needs.