A lot of questions that need experienced answers! Please help!

[Dow]

I have a 44 gallon pentagon, right now, with a mixture of mutt cichlids and target fish (tetras and other such fish) It is a planted tank that I'd be willing to change for the type of fish that I want.

First off, what does one do to battle frequent nitrate and nitrite spikes? I have lost many fish to this and I do keep a regular maintenance schedual. I need to clean the gravel and do a water change every week is what I am told. As my tank gets more experienced and filled with more cichlids, will this schedual need to change? Am I doing something wrong?

Secondly, Does anybody know if all Auloncara's are compatable? If so, what is your experience with them? What other non-cichlid (if any) fish go with them?

Another of my options is a demasoni tank. I love their vibrant colors but I've heard they're hell to keep. How does one spread the aggression in the tank? I understand that only 1-2 males should be kept in a tank my size and that the rest should be females. What other fish are compatable with these fish? Could I keep them with Aloncara's of different colors?

Where can I get any of the recommended fish?
What are the best bottom feeders to be kept with recommended fish?
What filtration is needed?
How many should I keep?

Lastly.. Is anyone going to the auction by Ellington field tomorrow?

[PhishPhreek]

First off - get a bigger tank or less fish & less food / crap. Spikes will die out over time as the aquarium reaches a ballance. The bacteria in your bio filter multiply or the fish die off.

Best kept with other medium sized non-aggressive cichlids from Lake Malawi
Should be plenty to select from at the HAS auction.

Best filter would be a W/D with your tank you will have to settle for a large canaster.

http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/mbuna3.htm

[davesolo29]

Please dont mix aulonocara species together. They will breed with each other.

[Gene D]

I would recomend a larger tank as well.

The spikes should go away in time as tank cycles and becomes balanced

for filtration I would suggest an Eheim 2215 with that heavy a biolaod on that tank

I must say I am little suprised that you have been able to keep tetras with cichlids I would of thought the cichlids would harass the Tetras

If you want to keep Demasoni the smallest recomended group is 12. It is almost impossible to tell the difference between male and female as the colors are the exact same. The only way I know of is size when they mature. That is the general rule of thumb. However I have kept as few as 6 Demasoni and currently have 7 who are thriving in a 56 gallon. As far as tankmates it would be best to keep them with other Mbuna.

[armthehomeless]

I have a 44 gallon pentagon, right now, with a mixture of mutt cichlids and target fish (tetras and other such fish) It is a planted tank that I'd be willing to change for the type of fish that I want.

First off, what does one do to battle frequent nitrate and nitrite spikes? I hate to answer a question with a question... but how long has your tank been set up? What sort of filtration do you currently have? I have lost many fish to this and I do keep a regular maintenance schedual. Can you walk us through your routine? I need to clean the gravel and do a water change every week is what I am told. Sounds good... do you use a gravel siphon? How much of the water do you change? As my tank gets more experienced and filled with more cichlids, will this schedual need to change? No... but I don't think you can fit many more in that size tank.Am I doing something wrong? You aren't doing anything wrong based on the information provided...

Secondly, Does anybody know if all Auloncara's are compatable? Depends on what you mean by compatible. They can coexist. They can also interbreed between different species. There are certain species that you can get that will minimize the risk of hybridization, but the chance will always be there. If so, what is your experience with them? Aulonocara are relatively peaceful, open water cichlids. They probably wouldn't work well in a 44pent with more aggressive cichlids like demasoni...What other non-cichlid (if any) fish go with them? Larger tetras, barbs, gouramis, loaches, and synodontis would all be decent choices with Peacocks

Another of my options is a demasoni tank. I love their vibrant colors but I've heard they're hell to keep. Its hype... as long as you educate yourself first. Keep a large group of demasoni to spread out the aggression. Provide alot of rockwork for hiding places. How does one spread the aggression in the tank? Cram 'em in. A group of 12-15 sounds good.I understand that only 1-2 males should be kept in a tank my size and that the rest should be females. If you can do that, great... I'd just get a bunch of juvies and grow them out. What other fish are compatable with these fish? Most other mbuna would work. Yellow labs would make for a great tankmate. Could I keep them with Aloncara's of different colors? Not in this size tank

Where can I get any of the recommended fish? There are many breeders here on the HFB, and most of these fish are available at various LFS around Houston.
What are the best bottom feeders to be kept with recommended fish? Synodontis, Clown loach, or Botia... depending on which other fish you are talking about.
What filtration is needed? I'd get a canister... and a powerhead with a prefilter.
How many should I keep? Lets narrow it down to which fish you are talking about first. :)