new 10gal cichlid pair...

Newkidonthetank · 06-03-2004, 03:26 AM

10gal nothing in not even sub...
what do i do... i can get free cichlids...
i am thinking tahitian moon sand....

what do i need for stuff...
any and all advice will be appreaciated

p.s. thankx in advance

Rosko_22 · 06-03-2004, 04:09 AM

Well first of all, do you want to plant live plants?

If so, you need to figure out how much light you're going to provide them with, and consequently what types of plants will do well with that lightsource.

Actually, I'm getting ahead of myself. Do you have a canopy/light fixture with the tank? Filtration? Heater?

I know most cichlids like well planted tanks, with lots of cover...

Newkidonthetank · 06-04-2004, 12:38 AM

i thought cichs and plants were a bad thing?...

i have 2wpg in the tank and i also have right above it my planted tank so... maybe cuttings and such...

i want to know about the substrate.. i was thinking tahitian moon sand... black, and good for plants...
basic filtration, whisper #2 i think.. one that is recomeded for a 10g

anyway.. i know they like caves... but... not much room...
plants... arent they mostly vegitarian.. (munch munch munch)

2la · 06-04-2004, 01:19 AM

Depends on the cichlid. For a 10G tank we're talking dwarf cichlids, and most dwarf cichlids are completely compatible with plants. For this size tank, I would highly recommend trying Apistogramma borellii--a beautiful pair-forming fish that spawns readily and is very peaceful if a bit shy. You can see some personal pictures here.

Some may recommend that you try rams; personally, I think a 10G is too small for them, and the female may become quite stressed by the constant advances of the male. For breeding purposes a 10G would suit a pair of rams, but I personally disagree with housing them there on a permanent basis. (JMO.)

Regards,

2la

fishwife · 06-04-2004, 03:01 PM

I agree that it depends on the cichlid.

Unlike their South American cousins (like 2la's gorgeous apistos or rams, for example), some African dwarf cichlids (like shell-dwellers) like to dig and rearrange the substrate, and may not be a good match with plants other than those in pots or those like Java fern/moss and anubius that can be attached to rocks or driftwood (as opposed to some stem plants that are often difficult to anchor in the substrate even without nosy little fish uprooting them -- not that I'm bitter).

Finally, many Malawi cichlids (like mbuna) will eat plants, but I don't think there are many of those that would do well in a 10 gallon anyway.

Hope this helps.

06-03-2004, 03:26 AM	#1
Newkidonthetank Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: BEATRICE, NE USA... age 16 Posts: 225	new 10gal cichlid pair... 10gal nothing in not even sub... what do i do... i can get free cichlids... i am thinking tahitian moon sand.... what do i need for stuff... any and all advice will be appreaciated p.s. thankx in advance __________________ out of the aquarium for a while... college

06-04-2004, 12:38 AM	#3
Newkidonthetank Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: BEATRICE, NE USA... age 16 Posts: 225	i thought cichs and plants were a bad thing?... i have 2wpg in the tank and i also have right above it my planted tank so... maybe cuttings and such... i want to know about the substrate.. i was thinking tahitian moon sand... black, and good for plants... basic filtration, whisper #2 i think.. one that is recomeded for a 10g anyway.. i know they like caves... but... not much room... plants... arent they mostly vegitarian.. (munch munch munch) __________________ out of the aquarium for a while... college

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
A pair of Rams	Laith	Fish	7	09-03-2004 05:15 PM
Got a pair of Pantodon Buchholzi-ok with Kribs?	thegirlundertherainbow	Fish	2	08-16-2004 03:19 AM
Checkerboard cichlid pair compatible w/ Cockatoo cichlid pair?	bingojimbo	Fish	1	07-24-2004 05:35 AM
Converted 40G breeder to Cichlid setup...	Overfloater	General Planted Tank Discussion	0	06-21-2004 02:16 AM

06-03-2004, 04:09 AM	#2
Rosko_22 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 225	Well first of all, do you want to plant live plants? If so, you need to figure out how much light you're going to provide them with, and consequently what types of plants will do well with that lightsource. Actually, I'm getting ahead of myself. Do you have a canopy/light fixture with the tank? Filtration? Heater? I know most cichlids like well planted tanks, with lots of cover...

06-04-2004, 01:19 AM	#4
2la Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 993	Depends on the cichlid. For a 10G tank we're talking dwarf cichlids, and most dwarf cichlids are completely compatible with plants. For this size tank, I would highly recommend trying Apistogramma borellii--a beautiful pair-forming fish that spawns readily and is very peaceful if a bit shy. You can see some personal pictures here. Some may recommend that you try rams; personally, I think a 10G is too small for them, and the female may become quite stressed by the constant advances of the male. For breeding purposes a 10G would suit a pair of rams, but I personally disagree with housing them there on a permanent basis. (JMO.) Regards, 2la

06-04-2004, 03:01 PM	#5
fishwife Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 194	I agree that it depends on the cichlid. Unlike their South American cousins (like 2la's gorgeous apistos or rams, for example), some African dwarf cichlids (like shell-dwellers) like to dig and rearrange the substrate, and may not be a good match with plants other than those in pots or those like Java fern/moss and anubius that can be attached to rocks or driftwood (as opposed to some stem plants that are often difficult to anchor in the substrate even without nosy little fish uprooting them -- not that I'm bitter). Finally, many Malawi cichlids (like mbuna) will eat plants, but I don't think there are many of those that would do well in a 10 gallon anyway. Hope this helps.