Bigstick's 55 gallon Cichlid Tank-Update-9-22

waterdog · 03-06-2006, 04:34 PM

You work on something, get it going good, it thrives and than you rip it all apart. Got to love this hobby !! I am also working on a planted cichlid tank, but mine all mbuna. so far so good. still into the heavy purchase phase, trying new plants, upgrading lighting, trying ferts etc....

**fshfanatic** · 06-22-2006, 12:40 AM

Your tank is incredible.

**fresh_lynny** · 06-22-2006, 04:36 AM

i love your tank but I have to say I like the before better

**bigstick120** · 06-22-2006, 04:46 AM

Thanks for the comments, but that stocking list is gone

I took all the cichlids to the LFS about 3 months ago and the tank is now stocked with rummy nose, ember tetras, cories, tiger shrimp. The layout has changed alot also. Guess I need to start a new photo album for it!

I was getting tired of them tearing up new plats that I introduced, but at least its proof that you can have african cichlids in a planted tank, its just a little more work and difficult to have a small clean up crew!

XenoMorph2049 · 06-23-2006, 12:28 PM

Sad to hear you changed out the inhabitants. Those were some gorgeous Fronts and the Synodontis was flat out AWSOME. I have a theory as to why your fish ignored the plants in the tank, but demolished new ones when added. When I had my cichlid tank up, I had a mix of Malawi and Tanginikan cichlids. Mine pretty much did the same thing, except I didnt have plants. Whenever there are pre existing objects in the tank, the fish seem to view EVERYTHING as teritorial markers and dont touch them. Also, they (almost) never bothered "old tenants". Thats one of the reasons I used each spieces approximate aggresion lvl to stock the tank. More peacefull fish went in first, then as I added fish, the species added were considered a bit more aggressive. worked well most of the time, but, unfortunately, I got a fluke coward compresscicep who was constantly forced into a small corner of the tank. Most of the time Comp's are pretty bold (there egg stealers designed to sneak in, eat eggs, all the while turning there sides, pretty much armored, to the adults for protection). Was actually thinking of trying a planted cichlid tank before I decided to go planted community tank, but I REALLY didnt want to try to explain why the big fish were eating the little fish.... (feeders, NOT goldfish, but gutloaded, tank raised live bearers...feeder fish= BAD)

**bigstick120** · 06-23-2006, 06:33 PM

Thats a good theory, thanks

**fshfanatic** · 06-23-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XenoMorph2049

Sad to hear you changed out the inhabitants. Those were some gorgeous Fronts and the Synodontis was flat out AWSOME. I have a theory as to why your fish ignored the plants in the tank, but demolished new ones when added. When I had my cichlid tank up, I had a mix of Malawi and Tanginikan cichlids. Mine pretty much did the same thing, except I didnt have plants. Whenever there are pre existing objects in the tank, the fish seem to view EVERYTHING as teritorial markers and dont touch them. Also, they (almost) never bothered "old tenants". Thats one of the reasons I used each spieces approximate aggresion lvl to stock the tank. More peacefull fish went in first, then as I added fish, the species added were considered a bit more aggressive. worked well most of the time, but, unfortunately, I got a fluke coward compresscicep who was constantly forced into a small corner of the tank. Most of the time Comp's are pretty bold (there egg stealers designed to sneak in, eat eggs, all the while turning there sides, pretty much armored, to the adults for protection). Was actually thinking of trying a planted cichlid tank before I decided to go planted community tank, but I REALLY didnt want to try to explain why the big fish were eating the little fish.... (feeders, NOT goldfish, but gutloaded, tank raised live bearers...feeder fish= BAD)

I kept africans yrs ago. Whenever I wanted to add fish I would rearrange the rocks. No fatalities.

XenoMorph2049 · 06-24-2006, 04:00 AM

Yeah, I knew a LOT of people that didnt want to "deal" wiith the hassle, thencomplain at massive fish loss. Resets work well for erasing territorial markers. I used primarily lace rock and I constantly rescaped it just for asthetic and cleaning purposes. Eentually, I want to get a 18og for another cichlid setup, but not untill my 2 daughters understand the food chain a little better......

Fishboy08 · 07-20-2006, 03:53 AM

Actually,

No offense or anything, but I think it is better that you got rid of that stock list. I am a cichlid enthusiast, and it is not good to keep species from one lake with those of another, let alone mixing all three. I guess you just got lucky, but I wouldn't advise you or anyone else to do that in the future, as all parameters in each lake are different, the occupants of the different lakes have different needs, and it could seriously harm then fish if put in different parameters than needed. Cichlids are also some of the more fragile fish, alot like discus, especially Fronts. Im not trying to be rude, but I would just like everyone to know that, that kind of setup would need alot of research put into it before you could see it happen safely, if at all. Like I said I am not saying you didn't put any thought in it, I would just like to warn people before they go and spend all that money on cichlids because they arent as cheap as other tropical fish, and I hate to see fish die because of the owner not doing what they are supposed to. So no disrespect meant, just my 2 cents.

But, I will have to give you props for the setup. Perfect colour coordination and it did look so beautiful. The plants did look so well with the bright and vivid coloration of the cichlids. Good job and good luck with the new stock!

Thanks for the time!

Fishboy08

**bigstick120** · 07-20-2006, 04:08 AM

I agree with you Fishboy, it started as a Tang, tank but then I just HAD to have peacocks! Very little research later I had them. Another reason that I got rid of the fish, Fronts need a much larger tank. But I do miss those fish! Very beautiful and interesting behavior, in a few years I will do another one. It was an expensive lesson but I enjoyed it and learned a ton about this hobby so chalk it up it the lessons learned category.

Fishboy08 · 07-20-2006, 04:21 AM

Yeah, like I said I wasn't trying to make you an outcast by any means. It was just one of those things that I knew, and something important that I think, and I just wanted to pass it on to help prevent a horrible disaster if done wrong. And you were correct about the Fronts, they can easily top 7-8 inches if fed right. And same with the peacocks. Im not sure exactly which you had (I believe that yellow one, the second peacock picture) was either a Sunshine or a Lemon Jake. And I know the Lemon Jake can top 6 inches also. Well I am glad you understand now, and like I said, good luck with your future stock.

PS, I sent you a 2nd PM about payment for the anubias nana

Fishboy08 · 08-17-2006, 04:22 AM

Hey, so what has happened with this tank? Did you get a new stock or what? Can we get an update?!?!?!

**bigstick120** · 08-17-2006, 04:23 AM

Yeah, its restocked, and been rescaped about 5 times!!! Ill have to start a new album soon. Ill see if I can do it this week.

Betowess · 10-24-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigstick120

Yeah, its restocked, and been rescaped about 5 times!!! Ill have to start a new album soon. Ill see if I can do it this week.

Love to see some Updated Pics?

**bigstick120** · 10-24-2006, 04:59 PM

I cant get this tank where I want it, the width of the tank makes it so hard! I just hacked it up, Ill try to get some new photos up

06-22-2006, 12:40 AM	#32 (permalink)
fshfanatic Banned (View User Tanks) PTrader: (23) Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 4,598	Your tank is incredible. __________________ Ehfipimp #273 ( Eheim Classic - 2215, 2217, 2260, Eheim Ecco 2232, Eheim Pro II 2026 ) Fluval FX5

06-22-2006, 04:36 AM	#33 (permalink)
fresh_lynny Plant chick (View User Tanks) PTrader: (59) Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3,238	i love your tank but I have to say I like the before better __________________ Eheim Chickie #203 Filstar Pimpette # 56 not-so-newby anymore? 90 gal acrylic, Coralife Aquapro 150x2 Metal Halides, 55x2 50/50 PC, 3 lunars, Hydor inline, 9w TurboTwist UV, Pressurized CO2, Rhinox 5000 glass co2 diffusor, Rex Grigg CO2 all-in-one, Milwaukee pH controller, 2 Eheim Pro II 2026's, Filstar XP3 backup, lilies, Eco Complete, Greg Watson dry ferts, EI mod http://web.mac.com/lynny_lynny/iWeb/Site/Velkommen.html http://www.paparazzi.com

06-22-2006, 04:46 AM	#34 (permalink)
bigstick120 Algae Eater (View User Tanks) PTrader: (137) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,417	Thanks for the comments, but that stocking list is gone I took all the cichlids to the LFS about 3 months ago and the tank is now stocked with rummy nose, ember tetras, cories, tiger shrimp. The layout has changed alot also. Guess I need to start a new photo album for it! I was getting tired of them tearing up new plats that I introduced, but at least its proof that you can have african cichlids in a planted tank, its just a little more work and difficult to have a small clean up crew! __________________ My Photography site See the evolution of my 55 gallon My 29 Gallon

06-23-2006, 06:33 PM	#36 (permalink)
bigstick120 Algae Eater (View User Tanks) PTrader: (137) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,417	Thats a good theory, thanks __________________ My Photography site See the evolution of my 55 gallon My 29 Gallon

07-20-2006, 04:08 AM	#40 (permalink)
bigstick120 Algae Eater (View User Tanks) PTrader: (137) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,417	I agree with you Fishboy, it started as a Tang, tank but then I just HAD to have peacocks! Very little research later I had them. Another reason that I got rid of the fish, Fronts need a much larger tank. But I do miss those fish! Very beautiful and interesting behavior, in a few years I will do another one. It was an expensive lesson but I enjoyed it and learned a ton about this hobby so chalk it up it the lessons learned category. __________________ My Photography site See the evolution of my 55 gallon My 29 Gallon

03-06-2006, 04:34 PM	#31 (permalink)
waterdog Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Detroit Area Posts: 16	You work on something, get it going good, it thrives and than you rip it all apart. Got to love this hobby !! I am also working on a planted cichlid tank, but mine all mbuna. so far so good. still into the heavy purchase phase, trying new plants, upgrading lighting, trying ferts etc....

06-23-2006, 12:28 PM	#35 (permalink)
XenoMorph2049 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NW Florida Posts: 132	Sad to hear you changed out the inhabitants. Those were some gorgeous Fronts and the Synodontis was flat out AWSOME. I have a theory as to why your fish ignored the plants in the tank, but demolished new ones when added. When I had my cichlid tank up, I had a mix of Malawi and Tanginikan cichlids. Mine pretty much did the same thing, except I didnt have plants. Whenever there are pre existing objects in the tank, the fish seem to view EVERYTHING as teritorial markers and dont touch them. Also, they (almost) never bothered "old tenants". Thats one of the reasons I used each spieces approximate aggresion lvl to stock the tank. More peacefull fish went in first, then as I added fish, the species added were considered a bit more aggressive. worked well most of the time, but, unfortunately, I got a fluke coward compresscicep who was constantly forced into a small corner of the tank. Most of the time Comp's are pretty bold (there egg stealers designed to sneak in, eat eggs, all the while turning there sides, pretty much armored, to the adults for protection). Was actually thinking of trying a planted cichlid tank before I decided to go planted community tank, but I REALLY didnt want to try to explain why the big fish were eating the little fish.... (feeders, NOT goldfish, but gutloaded, tank raised live bearers...feeder fish= BAD)

06-24-2006, 04:00 AM	#38 (permalink)
XenoMorph2049 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NW Florida Posts: 132	Yeah, I knew a LOT of people that didnt want to "deal" wiith the hassle, thencomplain at massive fish loss. Resets work well for erasing territorial markers. I used primarily lace rock and I constantly rescaped it just for asthetic and cleaning purposes. Eentually, I want to get a 18og for another cichlid setup, but not untill my 2 daughters understand the food chain a little better......

07-20-2006, 03:53 AM	#39 (permalink)
Fishboy08 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 223	Actually, No offense or anything, but I think it is better that you got rid of that stock list. I am a cichlid enthusiast, and it is not good to keep species from one lake with those of another, let alone mixing all three. I guess you just got lucky, but I wouldn't advise you or anyone else to do that in the future, as all parameters in each lake are different, the occupants of the different lakes have different needs, and it could seriously harm then fish if put in different parameters than needed. Cichlids are also some of the more fragile fish, alot like discus, especially Fronts. Im not trying to be rude, but I would just like everyone to know that, that kind of setup would need alot of research put into it before you could see it happen safely, if at all. Like I said I am not saying you didn't put any thought in it, I would just like to warn people before they go and spend all that money on cichlids because they arent as cheap as other tropical fish, and I hate to see fish die because of the owner not doing what they are supposed to. So no disrespect meant, just my 2 cents. But, I will have to give you props for the setup. Perfect colour coordination and it did look so beautiful. The plants did look so well with the bright and vivid coloration of the cichlids. Good job and good luck with the new stock! Thanks for the time! Fishboy08

07-20-2006, 04:21 AM	#41 (permalink)
Fishboy08 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 223	Yeah, like I said I wasn't trying to make you an outcast by any means. It was just one of those things that I knew, and something important that I think, and I just wanted to pass it on to help prevent a horrible disaster if done wrong. And you were correct about the Fronts, they can easily top 7-8 inches if fed right. And same with the peacocks. Im not sure exactly which you had (I believe that yellow one, the second peacock picture) was either a Sunshine or a Lemon Jake. And I know the Lemon Jake can top 6 inches also. Well I am glad you understand now, and like I said, good luck with your future stock. PS, I sent you a 2nd PM about payment for the anubias nana

08-17-2006, 04:22 AM	#42 (permalink)
Fishboy08 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (4) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central Illinois Posts: 223	Hey, so what has happened with this tank? Did you get a new stock or what? Can we get an update?!?!?!

08-17-2006, 04:23 AM	#43 (permalink)
bigstick120 Algae Eater (View User Tanks) PTrader: (137) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,417	Yeah, its restocked, and been rescaped about 5 times!!! Ill have to start a new album soon. Ill see if I can do it this week. __________________ My Photography site See the evolution of my 55 gallon My 29 Gallon

10-24-2006, 04:59 PM	#45 (permalink)
bigstick120 Algae Eater (View User Tanks) PTrader: (137) Join Date: May 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,417	I cant get this tank where I want it, the width of the tank makes it so hard! I just hacked it up, Ill try to get some new photos up __________________ My Photography site See the evolution of my 55 gallon My 29 Gallon

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