Achilles's 75 Gallon Cichlid Tank Build

So, this spring I'm starting a new tank and I really want to start researching/planning my tank right now so I have it all set by the time I'm able to set it up. Because of space restrictions, I'm unfortunately going to be limited to a 30 gallon tank.

I don't know much about cichlids, but I'm aware that there are some dwarf species available. Are there any kinds of cichlids I could keep in a 30, or would another community tank be a better idea?

Also, what kind of environment do cichlids prefer and what kinds of live plants (if any) would I be able to keep with them?

 

It is kind of depends on what cichlid you want to have African cichlids prefer stony environments with hard water but South American cichlids like amazon type environment
There are options for 30 gallon for cichlids in 30 gallon but as you know you are limited. I know little about African cichlids but I know you can have kirb in that tank size and shell dwellers. For South American cichlids I know there are lots of variety of apistogramma a dwarf cichlid with a peaceful personality rams also are an option. Depends on your tank dimensions you can do 1 angelfish too with some schooling fishes. For larger and more aggressive options the only things that I can think of is 1 convict(alone) or 1 bp or 1 fire mouth not sure about bp and fire mouth but I heard people did it with 30 gallon even with some tank mates
As for plants I don’t think shell dwellers need plants they want lots of shells. You can have plants with kirbs but they known for digging them out. Angels,apistogramma and rams are all plant friendly but convict,bp and fire mouth like to dig and change the decorations

 

It is kind of depends on what cichlid you want to have African cichlids prefer stony environments with hard water but South American cichlids like amazon type environment
There are options for 30 gallon for cichlids in 30 gallon but as you know you are limited. I know little about African cichlids but I know you can have kirb in that tank size and shell dwellers. For South American cichlids I know there are lots of variety of apistogramma a dwarf cichlid with a peaceful personality rams also are an option. Depends on your tank dimensions you can do 1 angelfish too with some schooling fishes. For larger and more aggressive options the only things that I can think of is 1 convict(alone) or 1 bp or 1 fire mouth not sure about bp and fire mouth but I heard people did it with 30 gallon even with some tank mates
As for plants I don’t think shell dwellers need plants they want lots of shells. You can have plants with kirbs but they known for digging them out. Angels,apistogramma and rams are all plant friendly but convict,bp and fire mouth like to dig and change the decorations

Thank you for all that info! I kind of fell in love with BP cichlids once I started learning more about them, they seem like super interesting fish.

If I were to go maybe a 35-40g tank, could I do a BP with one of these combos: 1-2 rams, 1-2 geophagus, or 1-2 peacocks?

 

Thank you for all that info! I kind of fell in love with BP cichlids once I started learning more about them, they seem like super interesting fish.

If I were to go maybe a 35-40g tank, could I do a BP with one of these combos: 1-2 rams, 1-2 geophagus, or 1-2 peacocks?

Depends is it a 30 long? if its a long then that greatly opens your options up to several larger cichlids.

 

Depends is it a 30 long? if its a long then that greatly opens your options up to several larger cichlids.

Yes I would definitely buy a long

 

Yes I would definitely buy a long

If I was you I would try and get a standard 40 gallon as the extra 12" isn't much but makes a big difference in what you can keep.

In a 30 gallon you could do any of the following Convicts, Firemouth Cichlids, Salvini, Keyhole Cichlids, Blue Acara, Dwarf Pike cichlids.

Dwarf Pike Cichlids would be my best recommendation for a 30 gallon tank. They truly are awesome fish.

If you gone with the 40 gallon that is 48" long then that opens your options up to the following.

Severums, Green Terror, Uaru Cichlid, Pike Cichlids, Parrot Cichlids

That is my recommendations if you want Cichlids that really have the Cichlid personality.

Basically in the 30 gallon nothing over 6" in adult size. In the 40 gallon you could go up to 8-10" fish providing only keeping 1-2 of them.

 

If I was you I would try and get a standard 40 gallon as the extra 12" isn't much but makes a big difference in what you can keep.

In a 30 gallon you could do any of the following Convicts, Firemouth Cichlids, Salvini, Keyhole Cichlids, Blue Acara, Dwarf Pike cichlids.

Dwarf Pike Cichlids would be my best recommendation for a 30 gallon tank. They truly are awesome fish.

If you gone with the 40 gallon that is 48" long then that opens your options up to the following.

Severums, Green Terror, Uaru Cichlid, Pike Cichlids, Parrot Cichlids

That is my recommendations if you want Cichlids that really have the Cichlid personality.

Basically in the 30 gallon nothing over 6" in adult size. In the 40 gallon you could go up to 8-10" fish providing only keeping 1-2 of them.

Thank you for all of that, super helpful. I for sure want a BP Cichlid, so I'd like to build around that. I think I could manage to make a 40 long work where I'll be living.

I think the salvini, blue acaras, severums, pikes and green terrors are all beautiful fish as well, but would it be overstocking if I kept one of those with my BP in a 40?

Or could I do 2-3 dwarf pikes in with my BP in a 40?

 

Neolamprologus similis!

 

Neolamprologus similis!

Isn't that an African cichlid? Wouldn't that not work because parrots are South American? :/

 

Thank you for all of that, super helpful. I for sure want a BP Cichlid, so I'd like to build around that. I think I could manage to make a 40 long work where I'll be living.

I think the salvini, blue acaras, severums, pikes and green terrors are all beautiful fish as well, but would it be overstocking if I kept one of those with my BP in a 40?

Or could I do 2-3 dwarf pikes in with my BP in a 40?

Pike cichlids as standard are aggressive to each other. But dwarf Pikes from my experience can co exist with one another. I had 7 Dwarf Pikes with some Severums in an old tank and they all got along.

I would do one of the following.
option 1
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 3 Dwarf Pike Cichlids

option 2
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Firemouth, 1 Convict

option 3
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Salvini

Wouldn't be a good idea to mix Green Terror with a BP in 40 gallon tank as Green Terror's really are a terror when they grow!

Good choice on the BP, one of my all time favourite fish was an 8" long Parrot Cichlid. Although fierce she would generally chase but not harm smaller fish. Which is why I recommend the above with a BP, they all grow less than the adult size of the Parrot.

Good luck and remember, you need good filtration as you're keeping large fish in a not so large tank. Cichlids like these are also messy eaters. A good canister filter is recommended.

 

As said though Pike Cichlids can be aggressive to each other. My 7 worked fine together but I believe I had 1 male and 6 females. The male would fiercely chase the females around the tank but never any harm done.

If you do get 3 Dwarf Pike's I would make sure the tank has lots of hiding places and don't get 2. 3 would be a better number to disperse aggression.

Keep in mind its no guarantee they won't kill each other off as they mature especially if you get multiple males. But it can work and it worked for me. I do believe having lots of hiding places and decor to break line of sight is important.

 

Honestly if you don't want to risk multiple pike's together then the safest option would be a Blood Parrot Cichlid and Proteus Pike Cichlid.

They are aggressive but not so bad with other fish providing they don't look similar. The Proteus Pike gets to approximately 6". More impressive than the dwarfs and less risk of death between fish.

 

Honestly if you don't want to risk multiple pike's together then the safest option would be a Blood Parrot Cichlid and Proteus Pike Cichlid.

They are aggressive but not so bad with other fish providing they don't look similar. The Proteus Pike gets to approximately 6". More impressive than the dwarfs and less risk of death between fish.

You’re the man. Thank you for being so helpful. I’ll probably go with the salvinI or pike(s) to go along with my BP!

As far as overall tank set up goes, I’ve heard conflicting things. What’s your opinion on live plants and overall aquascaping of a South American tank?

 

You’re the man. Thank you for being so helpful. I’ll probably go with the salvinI or pike(s) to go along with my BP!

As far as overall tank set up goes, I’ve heard conflicting things. What’s your opinion on live plants and overall aquascaping of a South American tank?

Happy to help

You might get away with live plants when the Parrot is young but as they grow expect the plants to get ripped apart and destroyed. They are very destructive fish when adult size and like rearranging the tank to suit themselves. Mine used to remove all the gravel from one side of the tank and build it up into a giant slope against the the other side of the tank.

If you're going to add multiple dwarf Pike Cichlids then I would use plenty of wood and rocks to create hiding spots all round the tank.

You can also use fake plants, some look very close to being real.

For substrate my personal preference is a dark coloured gray or black sand. I find it really brings the colours out.

Getting a good pellet food can really bring the colour of them out too. I used to use Cichlid Gold pellet food.

As said, when they are young you can get away with aquascaping to your preference. When they get older you soon learn that its a waste of time as they move everything lol. Great fish with unbelievable personalities though!

 

Happy to help

You might get away with live plants when the Parrot is young but as they grow expect the plants to get ripped apart and destroyed. They are very destructive fish when adult size and like rearranging the tank to suit themselves. Mine used to remove all the gravel from one side of the tank and build it up into a giant slope against the the other side of the tank.

If you're going to add multiple dwarf Pike Cichlids then I would use plenty of wood and rocks to create hiding spots all round the tank.

You can also use fake plants, some look very close to being real.

For substrate my personal preference is a dark coloured gray or black sand. I find it really brings the colours out.

Getting a good pellet food can really bring the colour of them out too. I used to use Cichlid Gold pellet food.

As said, when they are young you can get away with aquascaping to your preference. When they get older you soon learn that its a waste of time as they move everything lol. Great fish with unbelievable personalities though!

Really like the black sand idea. I'm thinking about doing a tank without any plants and the just pieces of driftwood/rock scattered throughout the tank.

Also, just realized a 55 gallon is just as long as a 40 long, so I may as well go with a 55. Would this change what I could stock in any significant way?

And just to clarify, cichlids need airstones correct?

 

Really like the black sand idea. I'm thinking about doing a tank without any plants and the just pieces of driftwood/rock scattered throughout the tank.

Also, just realized a 55 gallon is just as long as a 40 long, so I may as well go with a 55. Would this change what I could stock in any significant way?

And just to clarify, cichlids need airstones correct?

Black sand, lots of driftwood and some smaller rocks create a stunning cichlid tank. Its normally my theme for most of my tanks because most fish look great against black or dark substrate.

A 55 gallon gives you more options, its the standard for most peoples cichlid tanks. What we haven't discussed though is filtration? if you want to overstock you need to over filter. Before I shut my fish room down one of my cichlid tanks looked like this.

100g
4 Severums
1 Texas Cichlid
2 Tiger Oscars
1 Green Terror

All fish was either half grown or fully grown and parameters rarely fluctuated. But I had a huge sump with a DIY wet dry filtration system rated for around 700g. And I changed 50% of the water twice a week.

So if you do want to over stock then you need to over filter. Here is a good video on DIY wet dry filtration construction.

If a DIY wet dry isn't an option then you could replace it with 2-3 huge external canister filters but that gets expensive quick

Providing you over filter say 4-5 times the tank volume of the 55 gallon then I would consider something like this.

option 1
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Proteus Pike Cichlid, 1 Severum

option 2
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 3 Dwarf Pike Cichlids, 2 Firemouth Cichlids or 1 Convict Cichlid

option 3
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Convict

option 4
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Proteus Pike Cichlid, 1 Salvini

Of course so many other options exist but if it was me I would choose one of the above. I would go with option 1 as Severums are great fish and not ridiculously aggressive compared to say JDs. The above options assume regular water changes AND excellent filtration.

Air stones are not necessary providing the filtration causes good oxygen exchange in the tank. But if you are going to overstock like above then I like to use a dual outlet air pump. One airline goes to a large air stone and the other goes to an air driven sponge filter.

The sponge filter sounds like going back to ancient days of aquatics but people underestimate how effective they are!

 

When the fish are young you can add more than the above but remember they may be 3" when you get them but adult fish range between 6-10" for most of the options discussed. So you could add more but you would have to rehome some when they grow or upgrade to a 100 gallon tank down the line.

Cichlids grow quick too expect about 0.5-1" per month of growth on a good diet.

 

Black sand, lots of driftwood and some smaller rocks create a stunning cichlid tank. Its normally my theme for most of my tanks because most fish look great against black or dark substrate.

A 55 gallon gives you more options, its the standard for most peoples cichlid tanks. What we haven't discussed though is filtration? if you want to overstock you need to over filter. Before I shut my fish room down one of my cichlid tanks looked like this.

100g
4 Severums
1 Texas Cichlid
2 Tiger Oscars
1 Green Terror

All fish was either half grown or fully grown and parameters rarely fluctuated. But I had a huge sump with a DIY wet dry filtration system rated for around 700g. And I changed 50% of the water twice a week.

So if you do want to over stock then you need to over filter. Here is a good video on DIY wet dry filtration construction.

If a DIY wet dry isn't an option then you could replace it with 2-3 huge external canister filters but that gets expensive quick

Providing you over filter say 4-5 times the tank volume of the 55 gallon then I would consider something like this.

option 1
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Proteus Pike Cichlid, 1 Severum

option 2
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 3 Dwarf Pike Cichlids, 2 Firemouth Cichlids or 1 Convict Cichlid

option 3
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Jack Dempsey, 1 Convict

option 4
1 Blood Parrot Cichlid, 1 Proteus Pike Cichlid, 1 Salvini

Of course so many other options exist but if it was me I would choose one of the above. I would go with option 1 as Severums are great fish and not ridiculously aggressive compared to say JDs. The above options assume regular water changes AND excellent filtration.

Air stones are not necessary providing the filtration causes good oxygen exchange in the tank. But if you are going to overstock like above then I like to use a dual outlet air pump. One airline goes to a large air stone and the other goes to an air driven sponge filter.

The sponge filter sounds like going back to ancient days of aquatics but people underestimate how effective they are!

What if I were to go with an 2 Aquaclear 110 HOB filters? Or one HOB and a canister rated for a 70+ gallon? I just don't think I'll have the room for a sump. Plus I need to be able to transport the tank once a year and a sump seems like it'd be a hassle to do that.

I think option 1 is my favorite as well

 

What if I were to go with an 2 Aquaclear 110 HOB filters? Or one HOB and a canister rated for a 70+ gallon? I just don't think I'll have the room for a sump. Plus I need to be able to transport the tank once a year and a sump seems like it'd be a hassle to do that.

I think option 1 is my favorite as well

I would start by getting a 70-100g canister filter ideally about 2000 liters per hour rate. The difference between the 1000lp/h and the 2000lp/h models are only like 10% more in cost.

That should do the fish for the time being. When the Cichlids grow to 6" plus you might have to add some additional HOB's or a second external canister filter. But that is a long way down the line before you will need it.

On option 1 if you cannot get a Proteus Pike Cichlid at your LFS then you could in theory have any Pike Cichlid just one that grows to 6-8". Be careful in selection as some of the Pike Cichlids can hit 16" and more.

As said you can get by without a sump but they really are no harder to disassemble and transport than a external canister filtration system. Because in this case a wet dry filter uses a plastic storage box as the sump not a glass tank. It usually just sits under the tank in the cabinet. But as said you can get by with Canisters.

 

Another option for filtration would be a pressurized pond filter. These are basically just a much larger external canister filter.

They move much more water and are not much more to buy than the normal aquarium canister filters on ebay.

 

Thank you very much ParrotCichlid, you've been a huge help to my planning process. I probably won't start constructing the tank until March, I'm so anxious to get my new fish!!

I'll keep this thread posted with questions I have and progress I'm making

 

Thank you very much ParrotCichlid, you've been a huge help to my planning process. I probably won't start constructing the tank until March, I'm so anxious to get my new fish!!

I'll keep this thread posted with questions I have and progress I'm making

No problem mate, happy to be of help.

Make sure you give us an update and pics when you get this all in action! I'll check back

 

An old pic of my parrot cichlid, she was about 7" in this picture. Excuse the awful gravel choice I was only 16 back then about 8 years ago lol.


Put a few pics up of my latest Zebra Tilapia about 8" long for good measures too. He should get to about 16" hopefully

 

An old pic of my parrot cichlid, she was about 7" in this picture. Excuse the awful gravel choice I was only 16 back then about 8 years ago lol. View attachment 390787

Put a few pics up of my latest Zebra Tilapia about 8" long for good measures too. He should get to about 16" hopefully

View attachment 390788 View attachment 390789

How your parrot doing nowadays? Also your tilapia looks amazing, I’m jealous lol. What size tank do you have that in?

 

How your parrot doing nowadays? Also your tilapia looks amazing, I’m jealous lol. What size tank do you have that in?

The parrot unfortunately passed away several years ago. That particular one was about 10 years old when she passed. Still miss that fish now! lol. Had to force feed with a syringe at the end of her days as she stopped feeding, probably old age.

The tilapia is in a 100 gallon tank by himself. When it hits 12" a 150 gallon upgrade will be put in place. Unfortunately I doubt he would live with any other fish. Most Zebra Tilapia will kill anything even several times the size of them. Incredibly aggressive but has loads of personality.

 

Makes me even more anxious to own a parrot myself. Can’t wait to see the tilapia fully grown.

Just curious, should I consider adding snails or maybe even a BN pleco to my stocking for a little clean up?

 

Makes me even more anxious to own a parrot myself. Can’t wait to see the tilapia fully grown.

Just curious, should I consider adding snails or maybe even a BN pleco to my stocking for a little clean up?

I would be tempted to add a Senegal Bichir as a bottom dweller for the tank. They do clean up uneaten food too. If you're worried about bioload then you could even add a short body albino senegal bichir?

If Bichirs aren't your kind of thing then sure you could add a BN Pleco

 

I would be tempted to add a Senegal Bichir as a bottom dweller for the tank. They do clean up uneaten food too. If you're worried about bioload then you could even add a short body albino senegal bichir?

If Bichirs aren't your kind of thing then sure you could add a BN Pleco

They get pretty big so I'd definitely need to get a short body I think. They look like a really cool fish to have as a bottom dweller though!

 

They get pretty big so I'd definitely need to get a short body I think. They look like a really cool fish to have as a bottom dweller though!

Senegals are unique fish. I've found its next to impossible to say the size they will grow to. A lot of people seem to agree who keep them that the size they reach depends on the genetics of each fish. I keep short body senegals now but had some regular ones a few years ago. Out of three regular ones they got to the following sizes. 10", 12", 15". All the same species but vastly different sizes between them.

Bichirs are not very active and you can usually keep an adult senegal in a 55 gallon tank. But if you want to play it safe the short bodies are an option.

 

Senegals are unique fish. I've found its next to impossible to say the size they will grow to. A lot of people seem to agree who keep them that the size they reach depends on the genetics of each fish. I keep short body senegals now but had some regular ones a few years ago. Out of three regular ones they got to the following sizes. 10", 12", 15". All the same species but vastly different sizes between them.

Bichirs are not very active and you can usually keep an adult senegal in a 55 gallon tank. But if you want to play it safe the short bodies are an option.

Where did you get your short bodies? I didn't see them at LFS and I did a quick search to see if I could buy online but I didn't see any options.

 

Where did you get your short bodies? I didn't see them at LFS and I did a quick search to see if I could buy online but I didn't see any options.

I got them second hand with my 100 gallon tank when I purchased it. The fish was already in. I'm in the UK so not sure on many US buying options.

Another option would be the Retropinnis Bichir, they only get to 12" so the same as a short body and I know live aquaria sell them online for USA shipping.



Alternatively your best bet would be to ask your LFS to order one in for you or you could make a post in the marketplace over on MFK requesting them. They have lots of rare imports on their for the USA guys

 

I got them second hand with my 100 gallon tank when I purchased it. The fish was already in. I'm in the UK so not sure on many US buying options.

Another option would be the Retropinnis Bichir, they only get to 12" so the same as a short body and I know live aquaria sell them online for USA shipping.



Alternatively your best bet would be to ask your LFS to order one in for you or you could make a post in the marketplace over on MFK requesting them. They have lots of rare imports on their for the USA guys

Thank you!

So right now this is what I think I want for my stock:

1x Blood parrot
1x Jack Dempsey
1x Firemouth or blue acara (or possible a severum but that would be really really pushing it)
1x Retropinnis Bichir or some other type of short body bichir

What do you think?

 

Thank you!

So right now this is what I think I want for my stock:

1x Blood parrot
1x Jack Dempsey
1x Firemouth or blue acara (or possible a severum but that would be really really pushing it)
1x Retropinnis Bichir or some other type of short body bichir

What do you think?

I think that will work fine. But the Severum will be heavy on the bio load. The Severum is probably the best choice though as it gets to a similar size as the other cichlids but as said it would be heavy on the bio load. You could maintain the bio load with weekly water changes and heavy filtration. You might need twice weekly water changes of around 50% when the fish are all fully grown.

I have maintained more than what you plan to stock in a 55 gallon before.

Might want to seriously consider using a pond canister filter for this build. They look and work just like a standard aquarium canister filter only difference is the pump sits in the tank and they pump LOTS more water and hold a serious quantity of filtration media.

One of these

You can attach a piece of tubing to the outtake on the canister filter and place it under the tank just like a aquarium canister filter.

Plenty of the guys on MFK use pressurized pond filters on large overstocked tanks, they work good and are cheap.

 

Something like this would be ideal but maybe a little smaller pump.



This one in particular could filter about 1300g of water. You probably want one rated for about 500g ponds or you could use a large one like this and just make a spray bar or buy one for the out take to limit water current in the tank.

Either way, something like this would be more affordable than multiple canister filters and would handle much more bio load for the same price.

I've ordered the exact same one as above for my 100 gallon tank as its severely overstocked.

 

Well I bought this 75 gallon tank for $200 on Craigslist. Pretty sure I got a good deal. I got the tank, stand, LED lights, heater, and a sunsun canister filter rated for up to 150 gallons along with it. I also got some bubblers and air pumps.

Only downside is the tank, stand, and filter are REALLY dirty from being in the guy’s garage. I don’t think he cleaned the tanks at all when he removed the fish from them either lol.

Any suggestions on how to clean the tank with stuff that wouldn’t harm the fish?