Mike19

Thinking of getting a larger tank just not sure about the style, corner, rectangle so many designs out on the market. I was thinking of starting a SW tank although i don't think im ready for one at the moment so if im stocking the tank it will have cichlids maybe this will help if someone knows what type of tanks are best for cichlids


Mike

JakeTeque

SW Tank is going to get VERY expensive for 180gal. You will definitely have a comma in your budget for that. Plus it takes a lot more work to get it established. But with right equipment and a cycled tank, a tank that big won't require water changes as often, especially if you have 1.5-2 pounds per gallon of live rock.

As for Fresh Water, your possibilities are almost limitless for cichlids. Again, you should invest in a canister filter, as well as hang on filters. Any type of tank is fine for cichlids, but typically a rectangular tank is best because many cichlids are territorial, so having a long area to swim in would decrease any chance of fighting between fish, if you decide to go with aggressive cichlids.

If you like big fish an 180 gal would be fine for that, if you don't mind doing water changes and have good filtration, you could have 4 Oscars (in my opinion, other members might disagree).

Other bigger fish:
Jack Dempsey
Flowerhorn
Green Terror
hmmm...?

Or you could do a rad community cichlid tank with smaller cichlids, but don't mix african cichlids and american cichlids. Fishlore has some info on the difference.

Hope that helps. I am sure others will respond, I am still learning a lot too.

Mike19

its not so much the cost that turned me away from sw set ups its just my lack of knowledge reading about protein skimmers, referendums, RO/DI but mainly its the way water changes are conducted, usually mixing the water solution a day in advance i wouldn't know where to keep 200L of water each week haha.

FL CommunityFans

If you're looking in to cichlids, you want a long tank, not a tall tank. Make sure that you're looking at footprint.. length and width.. no so much on height. Given that, you should definitely be looking at a rectangular tank. Anything else just doesn't suit cichlids in a manner which they can thrive in.

hkirchen

My LFS here is great for that. They sell water that has been already mixed and run through the RO/DI process. It isn't that expensive either, just 2.50 for a five gallon jug.

You might research that before you count it out! 180 gallons of SW would be gorgeous with many possibilities for fish!

Mike19

ill keep it in mind, every time i got past the SW section of the LFS i start thinking wow, maybe i should start a SW tank haha.