samuel90

It has a million new noodles in, tomorrow I can put all the old ones in tho if you think that would be a better idea? What about adding the bottled bacteria's? Any good or a waste of $30?

Fantastic reply! Yes I put about a dozen noodles in the filter, with about 2 litres of dirty water, and when i rinsed all the new media, I did it with tank water. So I should be able to put my 7 yellows in now? YAY HOW EXCITING. Is there any bonus to be adding a capful of nutrafin cycle a day for a week or so? Just to be on the safe side?

OH ok. SO I have a 185 L, with an Aqua One 1200 Filter. So I add how much food?? Say 1 t-spoon a day? Or just once? Thank you so much for being so helpful!

Yes but doing its own thing.... it just has water, aragonite pebbles and plants in it. Will it still do the whole nitrate thing just by leaving the filter on? Or should I be adding something?

I need to cycle my tank and have been doing some research to find some efficient ways to do it. I heard that stocking it with plants for 14 days (or until roots grow more) is a good way and you can add your fish. I also read about Nutrafin Cycle.... many people say its bogus fraud. So my 50gal tank, has had its first dose of Nutrafin Cycle, and I have planted 13 decent size plants into it. How long till I can add my 7 Electric yellows? Also any cycling tips? I way to excited and impatient for the 4-8 week method. Are you crazy.

What Sealent do you know of? African Cichlids do not eat all plants In my current malawi tank no one eats any of my plants It's all about plant selection, research and trial and error!

I use aragonite sand. Would this stabilize it for African Cichlids?

What If I coat it in something?

So, I want to have one of those Underwater Waterfalls / Sandfalls. I have just got a lot of river stones and used Mortar cement to put them all together. Is this safe to use in my African Cichlid Tank? I have heard it may lower the pH? Please get back to me! Here is the pic http://imgur.com/CMlCmor

I was wondering if anyone has ever come across anyone breeding or selling xenotilapia tembwe?

I have never seen electric blues available! Do you know where I can get any??? Are the females a different color??

A group of 12 would be good enough???

oh thats a shame! What other fish would look nice with the yellows and demasonis?

So I am upgrading my fish tank to a 185L in order to keep african cichlids because, lets face it, they are some pretty cool fish. With the current filter and tank size and taking into account to just overstock to minimise aggression, www.aqadvisor.com thinks 20-24 fish would be good for filtration (CF1200) and tank size. I already have 7 electric yellows ranging from 4-8cm. I really like the look of Ice Blue's and Demasonis. But have heard demasonis are grumpy little buggers and might get too aggressive. What do you all suggest? I want to have 3 species that vary in color!

Which would be best?

Wow so much helpful advice!!! Who knows if there is a major difference between these two gravels! I already have some of this sand but it was offcuts from a local pet store, so I am unsure which brand is necessary. Both of these look the same to me? http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/deta ... kg/m/1123/ http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/deta ... ck/m/1123/ Obviously I would just go for the vastly cheaper one. right? And you all have convinced me to go for the CF1200.

oh awesome! http://www.hollywoodfishfarm.co.nz/deta ... ter/m/928/ Would this be efficient?? I am looking for what the peacocks look like now! What are some other africans? I am fairly new:)

Oh that many! Can I equal it out with say 12 yellows, 12 auratus and 12 demasoni's? Does that sound like an "over-crowded" 185 litre tank?? Do we have any idea what filtration system will be best?? Any canister model's recommended? What litre/hour turnover would be best for the 185 over stocked tank?

Have replied just above

At this stage I just have 7 electric yellows, am putting my 7 demasoni's on hold for now. Had to return a blue zebra as she killed two tank mates already Canisters are fairly expensive aren't they? Do you have a recommended brand/model for the size of my aquarium? I am on a budget however, as the longer I save, the longer those poor fishes are stuck in 90L tank!

So I bought the Aqua One 620 (90L) three weeks ago, and foolishly stocked it with African Cichlids. (Malawi Mbuna) . After further research, I have found that 90L tanks are just not big enough for the African Cichlids, So I have purchased a 185Litre tank on trademe. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =649099533 As far as filters go, I need one that hangs down (not under the gravel) as the Mbuna dig around and could uncover the plastic thingy. Also for the 185 Litre tank, is a 200 watt heater sufficient enough to keep a constant 25/26C temperature? I am excited for your responses! Will upload a pick when it is all done... over a couple of weeks.... finances a haha