Ideas for African Cichlids Tank Setup

Cichlids in general and African cichlids in particular are popular among aquarium hobbyists and fish keepers despite the care they require. There are even clubs of cichlid caretakers to support and cichlid-keeping hobby. One of these groups is the Africans on the Hudson (AOTH). Once you've decided that you want to keep African cichlids, there are various ways to go about setting up the tank.

  1. Size

    • Once you've decided that you want to keep African cichlids, the next step is to decide how many you want to keep, how much work can you put into maintenance and how much money can you put into it. These are important factors that determine the tank size you need. For the ability of keeping more fish, then you need a larger tank. For easier maintenance a larger tank is also recommended because despite more work, you have to do the work less often. Finally, if you cannot put too much money into keeping cichlids, it is recommended that you keep fewer fish in a smaller tank, which will be more cost efficient.

    Water

    • When it comes to fish keeping and water, there is one key feature: balance. First you have the chemical composition of the water. African cichlids come from lakes in with pH levels between 7.5 and 8.8. You must keep the pH levels in your tank within that range to not stress your cichlids. Tap water in the United States is generally alkaline and usually contains those levels of pH. Finally, you have to worry about water temperatures. African cichlids come from cold-water lakes. Make sure that your water temperature is between 24 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep a water heater in the tank to maintain the water temperature even if you live in a warmer climate.

    Rocks

    • When it comes to aquarium rocks, they may be more than just decor. Remember that balance is important, and some rocks may change the pH levels in the water. Limestone, for example, helps make the water more alkaline and keeps pH levels high. Aquarium rocks also serve as territorial markers, shelter and spawning sites for your cichlids. Another factor to remember when choosing rocks for your tank is that cichlids come from lakes in Africa that have a mixture of sand and large rocks. Replicating the natural habitat of their fish is what fish keepers usually aspire to. Finally, the rocks in your aquarium will act as a mechanical medium for water filtration by catching and holding onto some of the undissolved waste.