Wanting To Start A Sa Cichlid Tank

Right now there are no pictures, just the ideas I've had after researching on the internet and any fish experts I know.

I know I'll have more questions in the future but I was wondering if I there are any plants that I can place in a cichlid tank, such as java fern or java moss which don't necessarily anchor at the bottom where they can be dug up. Would the leaves on the java fern be a meal in itself? (I am planning to have convicts which I've had many years ago and know how unforgiving they are to plants.) Are there any other plants I haven't thought of? I do plan to use mainly rocks for hiding places and don't want to be overrun by plants if it's even possible in a cichlid tank.

Any ideas for me? Thanks.

 

Yeah, no. lol I have 2 convicts in a 20 long that WAS heavily planted and they dug up, killed and tore apart just about everything. Even the dwarf water lettuce isn't safe as they shred the roots. Cichlids and plants don't usually mix, espcially convicts, oscars, green terrors, jack dempseys, etc. Angelfish and plants are fine, but not much else.

 

Most cichlids I kno will eat plants. Many people resort to some really nice silk plants. You might be able to get some plants that can be glued. I don't think they go after java most tho so that's a good start

 

My convicts LOVE to shred my java ferns. I had like 10 NICE, big java including windelov and trident and the jerks totaled them.

 

Well I guess I have to keep the Nitrogen cycle under control with mainly chemicals. It's a 55 gallon tank. I think I'll splurge and buy a canister filter. Those are the best filters, right? Any particular one anyone can recommend?

 

Well I guess I have to keep the Nitrogen cycle under control with mainly chemicals. It's a 55 gallon tank. I think I'll splurge and buy a canister filter. Those are the best filters, right? Any particular one anyone can recommend?

I don't know that id say those are the best filters. I run sumps on all my tanks and I exclusively keep cichlids. All my tanks are planted and the only cichlids that mess with the plants are the Green Terrors.

 

I had Severum JD and BP dig the shrubs up...I guess it’s personality

 

Its not really the "nitrogen cycle" you need to keep under control with chemicals. If you don't overstock the tank and do regular water changes as needed you won't have any issues.

You can run a couple good HOBs or a sump, but I prefer canisters on my 55's. I just think its easier.