New to Cichlids. Advice? Point me in the right direction?

[Crazyjeep]

I'm new to the forum, so First of all, Hello! :) I am working out the details for a new 55 gallon FW tank for cichlids. It currently has a bunch of gravel and river rock from the previous tank owner.

For the past week I have been doing alot of research in making a SW tank. Due to the fact we are renting and the upstart costs we decided against going SW at this time. But we cant have an empty fish tank in our living room can we?

I am looking to populate the tank with a variety of fish which are colorful, and animated. Right now the tank has cycled and I am looking to put some new rocks. Anybody know where to find Texas Holey Rock in Houston or have some for sale? And is there anything wrong having a gravel bottom with cichids?

I am looking to put in the tank as follows to start, gradually pairs at first:

Kenyi
Yellow Tail Acei
Peacocks
Lohachata Loaches
And maybe Sexifaciatus's.

Anything about those species to be aware of? I know they can be aggressive, and having short but frequent feeding patterns can help alleviate the anger.

Again, any suggestions/advice is welcome, good or bad. Thank you ahead of time?

Where is a good place to purchase fish in the houston area. Ive been to a couple of the Petco's/Petsmart's in the area and they are terrible, and not fish stores nearby Tomball except BB Fish which I have yet to go into.

Crazyjeep

[barrettsline]

New to Cichlids. Advice? Point me in the right direction?

Aquarium world would be a goo place to start since it should be close to you. Mbuna are great hardy fish with tons of different colors. Syno's an clown loaches will make a great ground maintenance crew.

[mistahoo]

Aquarium world would be a goo place to start since it should be close to you. Mbuna are great hardy fish with tons of different colors. Syno's an clown loaches will make a great ground maintenance crew.

+1 for Aquarium world. The livestock to choose from is pretty good. There is also Houston Aquatics that you can check out. It's by the Heights, but it's a neat little store! If you make your way to the SW side of Houston, that's where most of the good fish stores are located.

[mistahoo]

If you think Petco/Petsmart is bad, BB Fish and Pets is just as bad. From what I've heard, they used to be really good or at least decent in the past. I went there 3 times and each more depressing than the first. Small variety to choose from, half of the tanks are empty, the nice stuff is not for sale, basically the freshwater section is lacking. The saltwater section is better, but still pretty lame. They do have mixed Mbuna fish I think? I don't remember, but there was a mixed African tank for sure towards the back row of freshwater tanks.

[CRUSHER]

New to Cichlids. Advice? Point me in the right direction?

Try city pets, they have lots to choose from ... Same with xtreme fish & pets

[mistahoo]

Try city pets, they have lots to choose from ... Same with xtreme fish & pets

HAW, City pets, Xtreme Fish n Pets, Fish n Pets Unlimited, Fish Ranch II, Fish Gallery, ADG, and there's a lot more. City Pets seems to have better saltwater livestock than freshwater, but they get some good stuff every now and then. If you manage to make your way to the SW side of town, there are several stores that carry better livestock than the NW side.

Here is a map of all the LFS in Houston that are added by members.

[Airjammer]

+1 on SW side having the best stores. If you start with pairs, male/female, you may end up with aggression problems when they breed. I had a pair of mbuna kill off a whole 55 gal after they bred. Post up a Wanted thread, cause you can find just about anything on the box. I have some Red Jewels that I would be willing to part with. You should be able to find holey rock at a landscape stone supply for around $0.50 per pound or less.

[cu0ngsayz]

Holey rock is .99 a lb @ the yards

[Johnsbra123]

I don't know if you want these but I have 1 yellow lab, 2 albino socofolio, 3 cobalt, and 2 red zebra cichlids for 35$.

[ScorpiosWife]

Where is a good place to purchase fish in the houston area. Ive been to a couple of the Petco's/Petsmart's in the area and they are terrible, and not fish stores nearby Tomball except BB Fish which I have yet to go into.

Crazyjeep

I'm also in Tomball. Aquarium World is about 25 minutes to half an hour from us but they have a good selection. Have you tried Ultimate Fish in Spring? It's on 2920 between Kuyhendahl & 45. 4720 Fm 2920 Rd, Spring, TX. Tel: 281-353-3474

[Crazyjeep]

I redid my fish tank layout with a couple of holey rocks I got from my LFS. Anything in the picture you think I am missing or should move so the cichlids are happy? I had an ammonia spike last night, so I am holding off until the cycle finishes, newbie mistake. Any suggestions to my list of fish? Things of concern? Thanks.

CJ

1347836399768.jpg1347836658495.jpg1347836696409.jpg

[johnnymisty]

I like it looks good all that's missing is fish

[Johnsbra123]

All you need to know is that any problem can be fixed with water changes, and ich medication if need, don't mix species unless you know they work. Everything else is up to you. People will tell you to check your water but it's a joke. Water is water unless you have acidic fish. If so add ph lower chemicals. Inverse is the same . It's not that difficult. These people make it sound hard.

[mistahoo]

I like it looks good all that's missing is fish

He'll be ready to get some soon! I got some really good n nasty filter pads coming right up!

[Crazyjeep]

Thanks mistahoo. Appreciate the filters. Already in the tank and helping things along. Any suggestion on how much shorter the cycling process takes with used filters? First time using this method.