capekate

Im trying to figure out what kind of fish I want to put in my new 55 gal tank ( when its cycled). I really love discus fish the most, but also like the idea of starting a cichlid tank. My PH is always at 6.4 Im wondering if the cichlids or the discus can deal with that number? If I get the cichlids, can someone tell me what they like in their tank? plants? caves? rocks.. driftwood?
Also... I live at the beach and able to find nice sized rocks. can anyone tell me if the rocks, if boiled would be ok to put in the tank with either the discus or the cichlids? How much weight of rocks can a tank hold without the chance of cracking?
thanks so much for your help! ~ kate

Butterfly

Most Cichlids like lots of rocks, wood and hiding places, depending on the cichlids(angels and discus like plants) you get. Rocks need to be boiled and washed really well before going into the tank. Do your research and then decide which you like best.
Carol

Trpimp147

african cichlids would need a higher ph level like 7.8-8.2 put about 1-1/2" of gravel on the bottem of the tank and buy some texas holey rocks from this site http://www.txholeyrocks.com/home this rock will help raise the ph level its made of lime stone. for every one cichlid you should have 6 hiding spots. i would go with a 55gal tank and about 18 cichlids, 1 or 2 common plecos, a peice of drift wood. the come in many colors and shapes and sizes keep africans witha africans and discus with discus. some times it works and other times it dont mostly dont haha. also if you want alot more info try www.africancichlid.net one of the best sites i have found with many nice people that keep tons of african cichlids they all know alot about these fish and are always willing to answer any questions whether you think its stupid or hard if they dont know they will find out for you and help identafy the fish. good luck i wold say go with the african cichlids vary easy to take care of once you read up on them and under stand them. i own a few my self and love them just this week end i baught 6 more.

Thomas.

Butterfly

All good information. Since common Pleco can get 12-14 inches long and like most pleco are huge waste producers I wouldn't put them in anything under 100g tank.
Carol

capekate

thank you all for your advice! I really do love the discus fish... and like that they are a peaceful group that can be with small schooling fish as well. they are colorful and beautiful. I have read that they are not easy to keep tho. I also read not to keep both types of cichilds, africans and SA cichilds together, that its best to go with either SA OR African cichlids. I have been watching alot of youtube videos to get some ideas for the tank. We may end up going with the cichlids as they are more common at my LFS with a good variety. And being smaller than the discus I can get more in the tank. I will not be getting any pleco, thanks for that advice on the waste producers they are. But may go with some more of the bumblebee cats or another type that may go with the cichlids. Will be doing more research as the tank cycles so I have plenty of time to figure out which type of fish to go with. I know that once I make the decision I will have to stick with the species and what is compatible with it. So will take the time for research...

Thanks for the advice on the hose and will take the care needed. My husband said it looks like hes going to be hauling alot of buckets of water!!!

Trpimp147

try that web site i gave you will give you all the info you need wont need to ask questions.

capekate

Thanks again! for the advice.. as I noted in the above post, im doing my research before buying the fish......Personally.. I like asking questions here, as Ive come to know and respect alot of the folks here at this site.
And as far as I know.. they dont mind me asking questions here!

Butterfly

Nope questions are never a problem here ask away.
carol

Trpimp147

i see.... just tryin to help. not trying to push it on you. i just think there is plenty of info for ya just to read through to get a really really good idea of these fish and many pics and such.

Butterfly

We understand that but want everyone to feel free to ask questions
Carol

capekate

Thank you Carol...and good morning!
I know that sometimes the questions I ask may be dumb..or that they have already been asked. I do read up on the species posts to find my answers before asking them. Or more than that I like to ask the questions to those that have had similar experiences and that you just cant get enough of by reading an article. There is so much to learn.. and first hand experience is the best teacher. I appreciate all the replies that I get to my questions. ON another note.

I have read up on the fish that I was interested in..The jack Dempsey cichlid likes a PH between 6-8; The Krib, between 6-8; The Convict, 7-8. My normal PH of the water is 6.4. I dont think that I want to tamper, chemically the PH on a continual basis. Also everything I have read on these cichilds are that its a game of chance on who is going to get along with whom and that they are pretty aggressive. Ive read that once bought, so many have had to be separated or put in their own tanks because of this. Also read how getting a pair of these fish would bring on more aggression. Ive already experienced the death of tankmates due to my cichlid angel fish and now that the two of them are in their own tanks, I have not had anymore deaths in the community tank. Only way I can do the cichlid tank is if I get only one of each species and hope to cut down on the aggression. But not sure that I want to go through that again and worry about loosing fish to fighting in the tank.
The Discus fish are a peaceful group that can live with other tankmates such as a school of cardinal tetras, cory cats. And Im sure there are a few more that can go in with them, still researching that question.
The water perimeters have to be perfect,Ive read on keeping Discus, but they do prefer a PH between 5-7, which makes my normal PH here ideal for them. They are colorful.. and beautiful fish and so I think that I will be going with the Discus in the 55g tank. I have been checking out the Discus section of the forum and reading up on their needs. Will do more research as Ive got time as the tank cycles. Which brings me to another question on the cycling fishless but will go to the right forum to venture into that.
again.. thanks for all the help~

Butterfly

If you buy Discus locally they have probably already acclimated to your water parameters. check to see if there is an aquarium club close by, maybe they have a member who is a discus breeder. They could most likely give you invaluable information on raising them and most club members LOVE to talk about their fish just like we do.
carol

Butterfly

Heres a list
http://fins.actwin.com/dir/clubs.php?c=1&r=1
Carol

capekate

thanks Carol. I have saved the link and there is a club just two towns away from me and I know where that one is held. I will email them. thanks so much!

Butterfly

Welcome! I love aquarium clubs and am member of the atlanta aquarium club. Their auctions are so much fun and you can pick up great stuff at great prices. Have also been to one at the charlotte Club
Carol

capekate

Excellent! sounds like alot of fun! Will definitely have to check it out.

nicole

Hi, how is your tank coming along? Did u stick with discus? Just been reading your posts and i agree your water is ideal.Good luck with your new tank and look forward to hearing all about it.

capekate

g'morning Nicole, I have not stocked the tank yet. started the cycle on June 18th and it is no where near ready for fish yet. Ive been researching Discus and found a LFS that does have them and can order me the type that I would like when the time comes. I'm getting a little leery of all the posts and articles i have read on how sensitive they are to water perimeters etc and constant water changes like every other day needs about a 25% water change in their tank. At a 55 gal tank that is ALOT of water to change constantly. Tho I take care of my 29 with regular water changes, water testing etc and all my fish are doing fine there, the thought of maintaining such a lager tank has me a little intimidated right now. Are they really as sensitive as I have read and difficult to take care of? At the price of them that i will have to pay and thought that if I brought such a beauty home and have it die worries me. I still have time to decide on either the Discus tank or cichlid tank as the way to go. Tho I have my heart set on the Discus...
thanks for asking, ~ kate