Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

[lynn]

I have a 40 gallon tank with a canister filter.  There are 8 cichlids currently in the tank but I think it is too crowded b/c the tank seems to get dirty quickly.  I would like to switch to schooling types of fish, tetras, barbs...  What is the best way to switch from one kind to another?  Once I get rid of the cichlids do I need to still introduce the other fish really slowly?  The tank is established and has been running for about 3-4 months.  Anyone want to trade community fish and I'll give some cichlids?

[Mzungu]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

What kind of cichlids?

And, I hate to say it, but it really depends on what you're thinking of getting, and how quickly after the cichlids are gone the new fish will be added. If you wait a few weeks, you might want to monitor the water parameters and make sure the tank's not going through another cycle. But if you add them soon after, you should be okay.

Actually, now that I think about it, what exactly do you mean by "really slowly?" Do you mean slowly because of aggression concerns, or concerns about the cycle?

[Hanson77]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

Your tank may be getting dirty fast because you are over feeding to some extent.  How big are the cichlids that you have now?  As far as your swap goes, I would still add your fish slowly so that your bioload doesn't spike.  Add a small group at a time so that everything with your water parameters stays as constant as possible.

[lynn]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

I have 3 yellow labs, 4 convicts, and 2 unknown fish, they are shaped like the labs but are a bluish lavender color with dark stripes.

By slowly I mean do I need to only add 2 or 3 at a time and wait a few weeks.  I would start adding the new as soon as all of the cichlids are gone.
I would like to trade my cichlids with someone for community if anyone is interested.

[Hanson77]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

You shouldn't have to wait that long at all.  With the community fish, I was adding groups of 10 or so at a time.  I had a small 20 gallon set up with tetras and the like awhile back.

Your two unknowns are probably Kenyis if I were to guess.  How big sizewise are we talking with your current cichlids?

[lynn]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

I feed very little. What they can eat in about 45 seconds, once a day so I don't think overfeeding is a problem.  It is a brown blanket-like growth, I have bee doing several water changes to try to help.

[Hanson77]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

How long do you leave your lights on for?

[Zulaab]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

The brown blanket growth that you are seeing most likely is algae which any pleco will have a field day with...  Within two days it can be all gone from your tank :)
Water changes are good.   But the growth is not going to go away with that.   A pleco should take care of that for you.

The unknown fish does it look like any of these pictures ?
Labidochromis sp. "Hongi"
Cynotilapia Afra "Jalo Reef"

[lynn]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

I turn my light on around 9 a.m. and turn them off around 9 or 10 p.m.  No sunlight.

those last set of pictures look a bit like mine but mine don't have and yellow on the fins.

The largest yellow cichlid is maybe 4 inches and then 2 are about 3.  Everything else is 2 1/2 and smaller.

[finfan]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

the BN pleco i got cleaned my 30 gallon with superb precision in a week, did amazing job, can't thank the guy enough, he ate everthing off of all my brown/red algae choked plants too :)

[Hanson77]

Re: Best way to switch from cichlids to community fish?

I had a 2" Albino BN that kept my 60 gallon spotless.  They are great for smaller tanks too because they don't get as large as the "common" Plecos.