| setting up a cichlid tank ...
I have finally decided on 2 convict cichlids with leucistic colouration. They are a breeding pair and we do want them to raise their fry, until a certain time then we will be getting rid of them
Do these fish need any special requirements and what are their basic needs, aside from caves?
I have a 20 gal. tank I was going to put them in.
We picked it up a yard sale and has been stored for 3-4 months so it needs to be cleaned. How should I do that, just use warm water and NO soap OR chemicals?
We aren't sure what filter to use and were thinking about a biowheel but are also considering a build your own filter. What do you suggest?
We were thinking of using a larger then needed filter like a 30 gal tank filter instead of a 20 gal tank filter. Is that a wise decision, if so how much over filtering would be safe to do without causing problems? We expect to upgrade to a larger tank within several moths of getting them so would it be overkill to go as far as using a filter for a 40 gal tank in the 20 gal.?
Should the tank be heated for the cichlids? If so, to what temperature?
What kind of substrate should we use?
How much water do you think needs to be changed weekly and should we vacuum weekly?
Are there any plants that we can add to the tank as a snack? Of coarse we will be feeding them another food but wouldn't they enjoy a plant to snack on? What kind of foods are your highest recommended for a staple diet? We do have an omnivorous frozen food available in our area.
We also want the tank fully cycled before they come home. We discussed working something out with a "tropical tank" friend . We would add a packet of Bio Spira to our tank and she would provide 4 danios and/or a freshwater flounder to support the cycle until we bring them home (hopefuly in 2-3 weeks). The other fish will obviously be removed prior to putting our cichlids in the tank, so don?t be alarmed!
Would that provide sufficient cycling to support them, and possibly a tank of frys within in a month of bringing them home?
Is there a large difference between the requirements needed by tropical fish and cichlids that would need to be adjusted between the time the tropicals are removed and the cichlids are added?
The method we had planned to use was set the tank up and add the bio spira (without waiting 24 hrs) at the same time. Then adding the tropical fish 24 hrs later. The tropicals would be in the tank for 2-3 weeks until the cichlids are ready to be picked up. We would remove the tropicals and then later the same day add the cichlids.
This is our 2cnd tank but our 1st one with cichlids. We made a lot of mistakes with our first tank (goldfish) and are trying to avoid mistakes this time around.
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated, from basic needs to basic facts!
If you know of any articles I should read on cichlid or fry care please let me know. Thanks!! | 
