What makes a cichlid tank look good?

D

dilhcic

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Nov 27, 2006
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Hey guys,
Im relatively new to keeping cichlids, i have done a fair bit of research into how to keep them healthy and the conditions they need. I have kept a tropical tank before, but it was a community tank not a cichlid tank.

I was just wondering, I know this is a hard question to answer really, but what do you guys think makes an african cichlid tank look good? I'm talking about decorations in general, this includes substrate colour/type and rocks and all that. Also is painting the background of the tank a good idea or not? maybe black or blue?

Any info on this or advice u may wish to share on keeping african cichlids at all would be greatly appreciated. As I said im pretty new to the cichlid business.
thanks guys!
 
Most of the cichlid tanks I have seen have heavy ornaments in them, driftwood, stones, etc. Many cichlids are interior decorators and will move things around the tank. But to be honest, I love the fish so much I seldom pay attention to the tank surroundings, just look at the fish.
 
I would say natural looks best, with a black/dark blue background with e.g.. crushed coral substrate, light coloured rocks.

I personally have some fake plants in to break up line of site vertically...you could do this better (more naturally) with rock formations in a big enough tank.

The fish are so colourful you want to let them 'pop' out as much as possible, hence the natural look and imo you should avoid neon gravel/bright coloured rocks or other decorations etc.

Mind you some of the finest african tanks you see have a black substrate, which is not strictly speaking natural but looks great - because of the contrast with the colours of the fish.

Otherwise, keeping them successfully is a matter of (in no particular order) :

1. The right size tank & appropriate stocking.
2. Adequate filtration.
3. Water changes regularly and religiously.
4. Careful monitoring of water parameters.
5. Being willing if necessary to remove problem fish from the tank, either to another tank or back to the LFS - observance of point 1 above would lessen greatly the chances of having to do this, but sometimes a juvenile fish which has behaved itself for a long time 'goes rogue' as it matures.
 
Yep we use a blue back ground, crushed coral, rocks and drift wood, fake plants, a few bubble sticks, { just our preference } check out the photos thread for more ideas........:)
 
I love good rock work and unusual pieces of driftwood.

And lots of water changes.
 
In an african cichlid tank, I like a black background (blue makes the fish blend in), lots of good rockwork (try some texas holey rock), a sand substrate, some aeration, and only a few plastic plants.

Oh yeah, and GOOD lighting. You can opt for just minimal light, to give a sort of dark, eerie look, or you can use lots of light of the higher spectrum.

I think it looks bad when african cichlid tanks use yellow-ish lighting (ie: 6500k or lower). IMO, you should have at least 10000k lights, even possibly actinic bulbs, to accentuate the fish.
 
For an african cichlid tank I would recommend heavy rockwork. They come from a very rocky enviroment with little or no plants. Usually the rockwork goes up to the surface of the water along the back of the tank and even sides too. Make sure there are also a lot of great hiding places which will help cut down on the aggression issues associated with these kind of cichlids. Texas Holey Rock is a really good kind of rock to have in an african tank. Substrate should be something natural or even sand since they love to dig and that will insure that they do not hurt themselves while doing the thing they most love to do other then chasing each other; digging. Just make sure that the rockwork is steady and structurally sound in place since they like to rearraged their surroundings at times. The last thing you need is to come home and find a broken or cracked tank because your fish have rearranged their tank.

Marinemom
 
wow, this site is so good.
thanks everyone for all your help, its greatly appreciated.:)
cant wait to get started on the tank now. I think i'll take my time, i wanna make it look the best possible.
thanks again.
 
Loads of pictures of great looking African tanks in the photo forum; wonderful place from which to get inspiration.

One other thing about the rock work - when you decide what you're using, its no harm to get more than you'll use so that if you decide/need to re-arrange you have some more options for variety and you'd be surprised how hard it might be to go and get the same rocks as you got first time around a few months/a year etc. later.
 
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