SamH

My thoughts exactly 8) I'm open to any suggestions and I'm well aware that removing fish is a possibility. Just trying to get a good combo from the start, looking at getting fish from 5-10cm initially.

Just one of each, I'm going for a high action interesting tank that I can feed fish, crickets, etc to. I wouldn't mind a pair of large cichlids but I'd rather have variety. The only Africans I considered were Frontosas. EDIT: Just seen and WOW do we get Jags of that quality here??

There it is, my new 540L tank measuring 1800mm long x 600mm deep and 500mm in height. So far I have two stocking lists, one more peaceful than the other. Stocking list 1 Electric blue Jack Dempsey Oscar Red Severum Geophagus brasiliensis Blue Acara Midas cichlid Stocking list 2 Electric blue Jack Dempsey Oscar Jaguar cichlid Green terror and/or Red terror Texas cichlid Any thoughts and opinions from experienced cichlid keepers? I want fish around the 30cm mark.

I don't think you realise just how small this aquarium is, 19L (minus substrate and decor) is around 2 buckets of water. It isn't enough space for more than a couple of small fish.

A couple of dwarf puffers or a single Betta fish (siamese fighter) would be about the only things suitable for that tank which have attitude.

It's gotta be good 8) My '94 Lancer flew through it! Could they not repair it then pass you?

Probably any of these guys.

The leopard eating it's own tail!

No wonder they're endangered :roll:

IME they're at their best over xmas and new years.

My most recent waterchange was on Sunday, I was a bit tired after work so the tank drained to 10% (if that). Lovely rich tannin filled water too. I just hooked up the laundry mixer and it came out at roughly 26 degrees, fish all appear fine and I've had no deaths. I usually change max 50% at a time.

laserit.co.nz has quantities up to 450 grams for sale.

:iag: It shows the genetics very clearly. Nice fish too!

They keep the water cleaner, fry can feed on the biofilm that forms on the leaves of the plants and the fish feel more comfortable with cover.

Go for a simple sand or gravel (1-6mm), you'll need enough for a 5cm deep layer. I never treat my water, all of my (currently 6) tanks are started on tap water and all my water changes are straight from the tap.

You should be able to replace it with an energy saver CFL it looks like. It's best to let the fish sleep for at least 6 hours and excessive light causes algae issues. +1 on replacing the heater.

I've currently got 70 longfins in a 60L tank, trying to decide what to do with them but they seem happy enough.

But more New Zealanders watched the Americas Cup and there was a lot more media coverage. Sure you might think it's unfair but that's how it is.

No they won't.

Breaking the surface with a filter outlet is much more effective than an air pump at dissolving oxygen into the water. Is there no spray bar on your canister you can angle at the surface?

A pair of Oscars or Jags would be cool but I'm not sure how much room a pair needs. I reckon the best cichlids for plants would have to be angels and discus 8)

Have you ever had a planted aquarium? Even watching a low tech aquarium develop and grow is highly rewarding. If you're against a planted community perhaps a pair of large cichlids would fit? Their breeding behaviour is really awesome to watch IMO.

I'm an Aucklander and I rely on Google maps to way find for me when I'm visiting unfamiliar neighbourhoods. What dates and times are you up here?

If the angels pair then they'll have issues with the rams and the kribs, they could easily kill them. Variety is nice but nothing really beats a large shoal of fish, I'd push for at least 30 of your chosen tetra/rasbora in this aquarium. That being said, if you want to have smaller schools with different species then there's no reason you can't have 15 harlequins then 10 of each of your phantoms.

That's a lot of territorial cichlids in a small aquarium. Stick to one species of cichlid and have one large single species school of fish.