Jasmine

Is it safe to use driftwood you've found? Or do you have to treat it somehow first?

Okay, thanks for that

How would you go about creating a sump? Is it noisy (as the tank will be in the lounge)? I can get tanks no prob (though I did just sell all three of mine!). I am getting a cabinet made, so could probably hide the sump in there? What's the benefits of a sump vs a canister? Aside from the fact that heaters can go in. What sort of filter would I need then and would I only need one heater? What are baffes?

Oh, so there's a third type too! Looks like I'll have to do more reading! :lol: I'll get there in the end, I haven't even got the tank yet! I'm just doing my research

Oh, I've read a few websites, describing them as Mbuna, and non-Mbuna, or Haps, or something. Here was one of the articles I saw: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/haps_vs_mbuna.php and silly me, I just read the article thoroughly and saw it said:

Yeah, I heard that about the colours. So in regards of compatibility, is it possible to have rock dwellers and non together? Or is it only okay to have one or the other?

Thanks, that's what I thought about the heaters, so you think two 200 watt heaters should do it? What's your views on canister filters? Pros/cons? It seems everyone's got different opinions on the brands to use :lol: I think I'm preferring the Malawis over the Tanganyika. Seems to be more range of brighter colours. That's just from what I've looked up though. I read there's two sorts, rock-dwellers and...non rock dwellers. LOL. Are you able to have a mixed tank of the two, if you allow areas for the two as needed (rocks for rock dwellers, and open spaces for the other)? Or is this not a good idea?

Ok awesome, my mother was trying to discourage me from canisters as she said they were difficult to look after, and one thing wrong and bye bye fish or something. No idea what she was talking about really. I was asking what they had at the pet store she currently works at (staff discount) but unfortunately they don't have much for tropicals, they only have a few things, and a goldfish display tank there. I thought two heaters would be better to distribute the heat evenly? As heard with one heater in a large tank the outer reaches would be colder or something? That was my reasoning anyway. My trial and error was real trial and error. Hahaha. I've owned tropicals for a few years so hopefully not completely hopeless. I sold my community tank recently though (just kept one male betta I bred and can't part with who has his own tank!) after seeing some of the African Cichlids and wanting to have a tank because of all the colours and the size of the fishies! Still unsure exactly which type I want yet tho...any helpful tips on what might be better?

Oops, had added one more 0 on my measurement there by mistake, good to know you picked up what I meant! You guys are so quick and helpful to reply, wish I'd come here sooner, rather than learning trial and error with my tropical tank. I just want to get things right this time, since I'm putting much more money into it. What type do you recommend? In water or canister (I'm assuming the canister ones go on the outside with hoses in and out of the tank?)? What do you guys think of the metal heaters, the ones which are meant to be hard to break?

Are the Jebo heaters much good? I was wanting to get two heaters anyway, wasn't quite sure what wattage I'd need, so that's good you mentioned that. How would I find out how many litres my tank would hold?

I've had a fair few bettas with neons and they've all been fine.

Okay, what sort of filters are they exactly? I had a much smaller tropical tank before and we went from a filter in the water, to a waterfall. I've heard of cannister filters too. What type would I need? I'll have a look at the one you mentioned

What sort of filter would be the best for a 140 x 49 x 41cm tank which will hold African Cichlids (haven't quite decided which yet. LOL). I'm just building up my tank bit by bit. Hoping to get this tank, and my grandad's going to make me a custom cabinet for it. So the next step would be heaters/filter/light. Something fairly cheapish preferably, be nice if I could spend $150 or less, but willing to spend more if need be. I'm not certain how much the filter would cost you see, so that's my price I've just put on for a general idea.

Thanks for that, I see a lot of people use sand for the Africans, how is this to clean? I'm used to using a gravel vacuum thingie. Also, can sand be purchased from fish stores too?

Hey all, I'm an ex-tropical owner, who bred crowntail bettas. However, I'm wanting to move up to something more of a challenge and the cichlids have caught my eye, mainly the Oscars. I was told however, that Oscars are American and the rest I was looking at was African, and they have different water requirements. I didn't realise this and want to learn more. I want to learn as much as I can before I go around purchasing a tank, supplies etc for them. Can you tell me the pros and cons of each (American and African), and maybe what kind of fish each have (is one known to be more colourful? Bigger fish? etc)? I may think of more questions to ask, I'm just doing a lot of reading at the moment. Thanks, Jasmine EDIT: After looking at species pictures, I think I'm definitely leaning towards the Africans. What size tank would I need minimally? Was looking at 1200cm long one. I'm thinking I prefer the rock dwellers but not completely certain what I'd want yet.