Hello all im new to the Forum and to keeping cichlids. I need all the help and opinions i can get. I need help with what i need to get a 55 gallon ready for cichlids. And i have a list of Cichlids i have looked into that i really really like. But not sure what ones i can or can not put together. Pleae help

1. Yellow Labid
2. White Labid
3. Red Zebra
4. Blue cobalt Zebra
5. White Zebra
6. Yellow Peacock
7. Ruby Red Peacock
8. Orange Blossom Peacock
9. Albino Peacock
10. Kenyi
11. Bumblebee
12. Dolphin
13. Kadango
14. Electric Blue Johanni
15. Cuckoo Catfish
16. Bala Sharks
17. Loache (of some kind)
18. Rope Fish

Thank anyone for there much needed help. Aswell i was told sand or substract isnt good to use because it wil clog the filter(s) and it will suck up your cleaning tube. Any opinions on that. ty

Welcome, I'm new to both aswell.

well thats great to know im not the only newbie lol. Do you know anything yet about what goes together and what you need to start your tank.?

Sorry i forgot to say im from Ontario and need to know weather i can get these fish from in Ontario and if the pet store i deal with (Paulmac's) canget them or not.

Welcome to ACF!
As I mentioned to Eric, get familiar with the cycling process if you're not already.
From the list of fish you posted, I'd shy away from peacocks in a 55g, personally I like the labs and kenyi mix with maybe a few other mbuna such as acei.

Hey Sharon_11, welcome to ACF!!

I'd also stay away from the Dolphin (Cyrtocara moorii), Bumblebee (Pseudotropheus crabro), and Kadango (Copadichromis borleyi).

I am pretty sure u can get all this fish from ontario, we have alot of top notch hobbiests in this province. where abouts in ontario are u?

Im about a half hour to fourty five minutes from the town of Lindsay, Ontario

Im not sure what the cycling proceses is (sorry im sort of dumb at this fish stuff).

Look up new tank syndrom, that helped me alot when my nitite levels were out of control when I first started my tank. Thank goodness African cichlids are so hardy.

I agree with getting Acei for your tank, they are really friendly and extremly beutiful.

right on I am a half hour north of barrie, just over a hour from lidsay

Does anyone know of a good filter that hangs on a tank were you dont have to prime it after electricity goes out.?

Oh thats so kewl i like it that theres people that live near me that can help another fourm i tried was in states they could help but didnt know anything about what i can or cant get in Ontario, Canada lol. So i love it here.

Why not consider a generator?

Oh it would be a good idea but way out of my budget right now. There real exspensive here.

I im wondering if its best to use a air pump that fits the size of my tank (55 gallon) or use one thats for a larger tank. If i am using it for multi purposes ( bubble wall. Volcano, LED bubblewall with lights and probably other stuuf but not sure). Mostly for my hubby's tank (20 gallon) that will just be tropical fish (neon tetras etc) And i have 2 10 gallon (1) for fry and (1) for sick tank.