outlaw

I am just getting this started. There are no fish in it yet. But I don't know where to put them for now. I'm glad I had my 20Gal going but still have 4 other Cichlids to find a better temp spot to go. If you want go HERE to see my beg for help. I don't want to put the fish in there, but don't think I can put them all right in the 20Gal even though they would probably be better off. The bucket they are currently in isn't heated and has 4 fish in it.

Cloudy tank to start.


20Gal with 2 larger Cichlids



**UPDATED**
Water changed(about 60%), rinsed filter, and put in decorations



Let me know what you guys think.

outlaw

Just posting more pics.

Bubbles on high.


Bubbles about half. (As soon as I was seen, "goldy" took off for the tree)



Fishies

Checkin the diggs out.


Being shy.


Was all about the camera.


The other fishies sleeping

Holding tank.


Tank before I bought it.

COBettaCouple

Very nicely done!

outlaw

Thanks. My wife is even all excited now about the fish. She was talking about turning our 20Gal into a saltwater tank already. lol We moved the other smallest fish from the 20Gal to the 46 with the other smallest one. They must be "best buds" or something. They seem to swim and hide with each other all the time now.

COBettaCouple

Let her know that for a SW tank, you should get a tank over 100g.

outlaw

She said to tell you, "nevermind then". lol

Some more pictures.

Feeding Time




Hiding...

COBettaCouple

Oh well.. I tried.

outlaw

lol. It's ok. I don't want to spend all that on a SW setup anyways. Thanks though.

outlaw

BAD NEWS! One of the Yellow Tails committed suicide or was murdered. They were found in a 5gal tank (empty of course, ) next to the other tank.

m&p

I'm sorry to hear that beautiful tank set up btw how long did it take you to get all of it together?

outlaw

Thanks! It actually didn't take too long. I'd say with the water issue about 1.5-2hrs for setup, 3 days for fish(gravel and filters(x4) were used from existing tank), 3hrs round trip for pick-up. So in total 3days 5hrs? lol I think it was a little quicker because I already had an idea of what I wanted to do. Then when I seen he already had slate with the tank, I was like "Shwang!". lol

I couldn't find it again, but how do you figure out lighting for plants? This tank has a 40W over it and it is a 46gal(obviously).

Thanks and keep them coming! Any ideas for 20gal too are appreciated.

≈ D ≈

Hi there Outlaw, tank looks great and the wife is happy Well done. By the way your Labidochromis caeruleus is albsolutely gorgeous!

COBettaCouple

I'm sorry to hear that.

outlaw

Harleyman- Thanks and here you go! Got a couple good shots.



Thanks COBetta.


Are Cichlids known for jumping? When I walked into the room, they were jumping along the back side of the tank where the filter pushes the water out and produces a "current".

And a couple of other pics I thought were nice.

Left side of Tank:


Smallest Red Fin trying to hide:


Red Fin showing off:

COBettaCouple

I'm just starting in the world of cichlids, but I think it's possible that they might jump when startled. I've seen livebearers and bettas (splendens and wilds) jump out of their tanks. Some of our more experienced cichlid owners would have better insight to how much that species of cichlid jumps.

outlaw

I don't think they were startled...the only reason I say that is the room was dark and the light was off. I'm not saying they couldn't see me...but I was just thinking they like to jump in the current. Thanks.

COBettaCouple

I've seen our Julies take off from one side of the tank to the other faster than I'd think they could when I startled or surprised them.. that's the only reason I mentioned that. The Julies and our angel Fred don't really seem to have much interest in the current but I think that's a species-particular behavior and it could explain what happened with your guy.

outlaw

Maybe I did just startle them... I think the big one (Red Fin) likes to sit up by it though. He will just sit next to the head of it and "flap" his fins... maybe exercising? lol

COBettaCouple

Yea, I think so. Our Bettas will do that, even the new girl Chloe likes to do that.

outlaw

Good to know I am not just crazy. lol

≈ D ≈

1st pic was dark but that 2nd one you took ... awsum!!! If you could, can you tell me the latin name of those yellow tails?

Gosh that tank looks so cool. Ok I'm getting jealous now

outlaw

Thanks Harley, I can try to get some more. Seems he/she is getting a little more comfortable now and comes out in the open now.

The Yellow tails name is Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Msuli)



I can't wait to do something with our 20Gal now. lol Is this the start of MTS? lol

Gozer_1

Hey Outlaw,
The tank looks great. Sorry to hear about the suicide jumper. I've heard of fish jumping out at night because they can't see the top of the water with no light reflecting off of it. I hear adding moonlights can help. My Oscar jumps half way out of the water when I feed. Always trys to snag the bag of food out of my hand. Have you been testing your water? If so, what are your parameters? Fish will get jumpy if the ammonia levels are up.

outlaw

I have the water tested at my LFS. It was "good" before. I forgot what they said each one was though. I'll have to go back to my LFS to check again. I had these little strips with the tabs on them that changed color for certain levels. The ammonia(i think) didn't match any of the colors but was closest to white which is 0ppm. The other ones are kinda "jumpy" but only when feeding or one of the other fish are chasing them which I think might have been the case with the "Jumper".

Thanks for the compliment too.

outlaw

News update

We picked up a new canister filter by Odyssea. It is a CFS4 rated upto 75ish gallons. 1200LPH.


Also picked up a power head/filter (didn't use the filter). Using this to keep from any dead spots in the water and try to circulate it back to the filter intakes. Also in this picture is the Yellow lab.


And last but not least. When we were at the LFS, we were talking about how everything was setup and that the Cichlids like a more "cave like home". So... I decided to change it up while I was puting the power head and filter in since the filter lowered the level of the water...




Here is the tank with all but the 15w light on. With the purplish tint, it kinda looks like moon light. IMO anyways.



Hope you guys like the new setup as much as the first. I also put our 15W light over this tank as my wife said it gives the Yellow tails a hint of purple since the light itself is kind of a purple. What do you guys think of the "new additions"??

MissMTS

The lighting looks really nice. I have been looking for a good lighting setup for my cichlid tank. What kind of lights are you using?

outlaw

Thanks.

The small light I have in the "moon light" picture is actually pretty old but still kick'n. I couldn't find the whole fixture, but HERE is the bulb. It is an FL-15 by Aquari-lux (on the bulb). The large one came with the setup. Again, I couldn't find a whole fixture but the bulb is HERE.

This bulb says:
Eclipse Natural Daylight
F30T8 36"
Made in Germany for Marineland

Hope that helps.

Gozer_1

The new arrangement looks great.

Sounds like a good day of shopping. Lol

outlaw

Thanks. It was a good and expensive day. Don't get me wrong, the canister filter was only $60 but with the pump, ammonia remover pad, and extra bio media, it was about $170.

Yellow lab hiding in the tree. lol, He's the only one to do it.

zpecialt

The yellow lab is absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful tank setup as well.