Hello, I am a new member and am looking forward to learning as much about African Cichlids as I can. I just obtained a 72 Gal Bowfront aquarium that I plan on making a cichlid tank so any suggestions and helpful hints would be very much appreciated. I am relatively new to aquarium keeping so I will have plenty of questions over the next couple of months while setting this thing up.

I am currently leak testing the tank and all looks good so far.

I am very interested in learning about hardscaping my aquarium and also getting opinions on the best type of filtration. Like I said I am new to this please be patient with my questions.

Thanks,
Eric

Welcome Eric.

Fire away with questions. As far as best filtration (and most other things with fishkeeping) there's a number of ways you could go. People have a variety of preferences and different types have different advantages-- also depends on your budget.

Hello all im new the Forum and to keeping cichlids aswell. I need alot of help and advise. Im not sure were to start.

Welcome to the ACF family Eric

We're all about learning from each other here, you'll fit right in

Step one would be to get familiar with the cycling process if you're not already.

Hey Beachcire, welcome to ACF!!

How you aquascape can largely depend on what type of cichlids you keep. Have you decided yet on which species?

As for filtration, neutrinoman gave good advice in that it will depend on your budget. Most common ones are hang on the backs (HOB's), sponges, and canisters.

welcome to the forum and cichlid keeping! I would get a aqua clear filter for your tank as they are very easy to set up and maintain, I use many of them.

O.K., thanks for the quick replies.

I am familiar with the cycling process, I have a 25 gal aquarium with Tiger Barbs, Danios, a Three Spot Gourami, and a Red Tail Shark. I immediately started looking for a second tank as soon as that one became stable.... I will probably try to convince my wife to let me get another when this one is up and running.

As far as the type of cichlids I want to keep, I would like to center the tank around a Dolphin Cichlid and Yellow Labs. Still trying to learn what cichlids are compatible so additional recommendations are welcomed.

As far as filtration, I am comfortable with HOB's and I have never used a canister type filter. What I was originally thinking was getting two AquaClear 50's but then I got concerned about power outages, which happen quite a bit where I live. Would it be better to go with one Aquaclear and one Aqueon HOB since the Aqueon is self priming and will work after a power flicker to give me some type of filtration. Or should I get one HOB and us a UPS to avoid any power issues.

Hi and welcome
I use sponge filters and Aquaclears. The aquaclears will self start after a power outage.

The only thing with power outages is if its a very long time the bacteria in the filter start to die off and you may have a small cycle to contend with. An increase in wc's is a good thing after power outages and testing the water for ammonia and nitrite for a week or 2. If there is ammonia or nitrite, decrease feedings and increase wc's.

hth
Ardan

welcome to the forum

Dolphins and Yellow Labs would make a nice display.

So I have decided to go with Mbuna Cichlids - about 25 of them. I will be purchasing two Aquaclear 70's, which I think should offer enough filtration. As far as substrate and decoration, I am going to go with Eco-Complete cichlid sand and some river rock to give them some caves and areas to hide in.

The next thing I need to figure out is lighting. Since I am not going to have any plants, what is the best type of lighting to use for just fish. Are there any lights that show off the colors of the fish better than others or will florescent lighting be good.

Thanks for the input and suggestions

Most standard lighting is pretty good. Can go with additional lighting, T5 lighting, and/or upgrade the bulbs.

Zoo Med- Click here carries some really good aftermarket bulbs.