My Corner Cichlid tank questions

[amcgee2842]

I have a corner 92 Gallon tank and this is the first tank I have owned since I had a 20 gallon in high school 17 yrs. ago. I have 2 Eheim 2217. I use the standard Eheim pads and ceramic cylinders for mechanical filtration on both Eheims. The first Eheim I have seachem's Matrix as the Biological filtration and Chemi pure elite as my chemical filtration. On the out take side I have a Y split one split goes through an in-line Eheim heater and returns back to the tank the other split run's through two phos-ban reactors filled with seachem's denitrate and then returns back to the aquarium on a very slow flow rate. The other Eheim uses Matrix as the biological filtration and seachem's purigen as the chemical filtration. The out take side is hooked up to a coral life turbotwist 36w UV filter and then returns to the tank. I also have a eheim surface skimmer 350 in the corner of the tank. I have two Current Sat + led lights one 36 inch and one 18 inch. I used Ledger stone for my back ground and gravel for my substrate. Use all natural rocks, fake plants and on piece of drift wood for decoration.

As this was my first ever cichlid tank I want one of each cichlid species because of all their different colors. Now that I have gotten to know cichlids over the past year I think I figured out which ones I can keep and which ones to get rid of. Most of these fish have been together for about a year and get along for the most part but there is always some chasing going on esp. with the Kenya. So below is my stock list currently.

Ones to Keep
1 X red top Trewavasae Reef - peaceful
2 x Socolofi Albino - can be territorial
1 x Yellow Lab - peaceful
1 x Red Zebra - peaceful
1 x Sun shine Peacock - peaceful
2 x Birchardi Fire tip - peaceful I love these guys they can hold their own if need be
1 x Demosoni - peaceful
1 x baby German red - too small to know any better
2 x Strawberry Peacock (Keep one) - one is peaceful the other can be aggressive
1 X BN pleco
1 X Albino BN pleco

Maybe Keep
1 x Acei Yellow fin - Aggressive I like him but he is getting too aggressive

Ones to get rid of
1 x Red Fin Borleyi -Aggressive
1 x Cobalt blue - Aggressive
1 x Red Jewel - Peaceful I like him but he seems out of place in my tank
1 x Bumble bee - Peaceful but he is to big for what I want in my tank
1 X Kenya - Very aggressive need to get him out asap
1 x Pike cichlid (Melanochromis Chipokae) - some days peaceful others aggressive


I am definitely going to switch to sand (pool filter sand unless one as any other suggestions). Also going to buy some cichlid stones to add some more hiding spots to cut down on the aggression. Take out some of the plants. After I get rid of the above fish I want to slowly change this tank in to a more 5 dwarf Mbuna species tank by adding 3 more Demosoni, 4 Dinghani ( Pesudotropheus flauves), 4 Rusty's and maybe 2 more red top Trewavasae Reef. Although not a mbuna would like to add a few Pundamilia nyererei. Of the above im keeping I know not all are Mbuna but they seem to be getting along quite well.

Would like to hear any thoughts or ideas on my plans. With my planed stock list are real plants out of the question? Also of the fish I want to get rid of will any of the fish stores take them and maybe give me credit? Esp fish gallery because I work really close to them. Also how do you transfer fish if you can’t put oxygen in a bag? I have one photo it’s not very good will try and take some better ones and add them later.aquarium.jpg

[Austy16414]

For plants, you can try java fern, anubias, valllisneria, or anything that you can tie down to rocks/driftwood. If you're not worried about getting money for the fish you're getting rid of, most stores will take them, but don't plan for much store credit. You're better off selling them on here if you want money for them.I always use a home depot bucket about a third full for transport. If it's a long trip, grab a portable air pump used for fishing from Academy.Hope this helps!

[morpheus]

in the end whatever you like is what you keep. some are sticklers for lake or species specific, but its your tank to look at in the end.

in my experience, live plants never worked in my cichlid tanks. they tore them to pieces so i gave up and stick to plastic now. anything tick/waxy leaf is your best bet.

as for getting rid of fish, you just need to call around for different policies. some will give you minimum credit, some will take them and give you nothing, so if you have good relationships with certain stores its worth a shot.

transporting fish i usually put in a bucket with a net over the top making sure the bucket cant move, or even a cooler with a garbage bag lining. never had to transport very long distances and its a risk either way.

i am looking to off load 3 cichlids personally. you can PM me if you want to see if a trade is possible. i have a 75g tank that has 5 mbunas, one strawberry peacock and a JD - more an aggressive tank - looking to add.

my 56g has the 3 i want to off load, but havent found a trade and stores offer next to nothing (like $3 for all three fish). so they are just living there and my geo. surinemisis are getting their tails ripped.

a male black convict, and "assorted peacock" i dont have a species for (black/silver tiger pattern), and a jewel i took as a favor. all are peaceful really. can provide pics. the first two i rescued from the 75g before they got killed. you are wanting to get rid of a jewel i know, mine just stays in a tree coming out to eat, never bothering anyone.