Advice needed for African Rift Lake Cichlids

[Chee Jin]

Hi,

I am thinking of converting my 2ft planted tank which is currently home for tetras to keep African Cichlids. Attracted by the vibrant colours of cichlids which range from yellow to purple colour. Please share with me the requirements to keep African Cichlids. I heard they require higher PH and need caves as they are teritorial. My tank PH is 6.5 and I will like to retain the few months old Gex soil as I like the idea of planted tank since it uses up nitrates. Does it makes sense to add coral chips below the Gex soil to up the PH?

Any body keep Cichlids with caves and plants? If have picture, please share as I will love ideas for tank setup.

Any recommendation on good place to buy caves as well as African Cichilids will be greatly appreciated.

Appreciate any advise as I am a newbie with Cichlids.

[genes]

Hi Chee Jin

I think its ok to add coral chips below your GEX soil. But i'm not sure if the plants will do well in a high pH environment. Most likely not and if there is, your plants variety will be reduced. Hobbyist who keeps them usually house them in a rock scape to mimic their biotope.

You can find rocks and caves from LFS like NA, Biotope. and C328. C328 recently have nice ceramic caves.

Do a search online, you will see more setups.
See this link for a tanganikan setup
http://www.aquahobby.com/tanks/e_tank0307b.php

[Chee Jin]

Thanks for the tip Eugene. Is it better to have the coral chips below the GEX soil or better to put the coral chips in one of the tray in the canister filter?

[genes]

I would suggest putting in the filter tray for aesthetic purposes. Would be unsightly once they start to dig into the soil and expose the white coral chips.

[zyblack]

You must be aware that they are notorious diggers and plant destroyers. I use to keep a simple Java fern on driftwood and some Hygrophilla Difformis in the a 2 feet tank with Lake Malawi Cichlids. I frequently have to remove bitten parts or pieces torn off by their very frequent fights until I got tired of it and removed all the plants.

Think you are better off with a plain coral sand substrate and simple rockscape. I used small pieces of granite and stack them up into caves. I also have a driftwood which is hollow and have a cave-like look. The colours of the cichlids should offset the lost of plants.

[Quixotic]

On an aside, when using the term African Cichlids, you are also including a group of cichlids (e.g Western African) that requires totally different parameters as those from the Rift Lakes (Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria). So to avoid confusion, thread title has been renamed as African Rift Lake Cichlids.

One other thing to note is that some of the cichlid species are totally herbivorous. Hence, they should not be mixed with with other omnivorous or carnivorous species, otherwise they will not do well in the long run.

I do agree with zyblack that you are better off without the Gex soil, otherwise it can be really messy. Besides, the coral sand will actually buffer your water to the required pH and hence, no need for coral chips.

Some of the genus of African Cichlids (note that non-Rift Lake Cichlids are included as well).
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/article...us_gallery.php

[trident]

Chee Jin,
If you intend to keep Tanganyika cichlid, you need to rid the GEX, tanga cichlids have different requirements. They require high PH and hard water. Fine coral sand and rocks for hiding place. Shells if you want to keep shellies. There are many types of tanga cichlids available. Do some reading (just google for tanganyika cichlids) first before committing. You have a 2ft which somehow limit your choice.
One place that is selling tanga cichlids is Cichlids Forever (CF) at Upper Serangoon Road, near to kovan MRT station.

[Chee Jin]

Thanks for all the advise. I have decided to rear apisto instead since it has similar requirements to my current planted tank. Just bought 2 pairs of apisto from Seaview today.