Upgrading to a larger tank; some questions...

mx22 · 04-22-2009, 09:08 AM

Hello,

I currently have small 5gallon tank for my Betta, had it running for a few months now. My wife and I would like to get a bigger one and put some cichlids there.

Would a 30 gallon tank be large enough? I understand that probably some bigger cichlids such as Oscar are too big for such an aquarium, but how about something smaller? My wife really likes Electric yellow cichlids, so I thought that plus a few other cichlids... Any recomendations?

And now on to a couple of technical questions. How would I go about doing water changes in such a large tank? Right now with 5 gallons its not a problem, I just put some water in a bucket, condition and heat it overnight and then change the water following morning. However with 30gal tank, I can't really see myself having 3 buckets staying overnight - I'm sure there is something less time consuming. I've read some people pour straight tap water, but how do you deal with temperature difference and chloride?

Also, what kind of filter would you guys (and gals) recommend for the above tank?

Thank You!

BlueStraggler · 04-22-2009, 09:30 AM

A python will make wc on a big tank very easy. It vacuums, empties and refills the tank in the matter of minutes.

I'd go a little bigger than a 30g for cichlids. Thats just me. They are beautiful yes. But can be aggressive sometimes. Some species more than others so having lots of space, cover and territories will increase your success level.

Any hang on back filter will do the job.

I think the pythons go for about ten bucks.

mx22 · 04-22-2009, 10:23 AM

Thanks! How do you control water temperature then and what about chlorine/chloramine?

Orion · 04-22-2009, 11:44 AM

I get the water close as it comes out of the tap. After a while you get used to what's close and what isn't. And I always just add Prime to my tanks as I'm refilling with the Python.

You probably could do some yellow labs in a 30 gallon. They are the mellow guys out of the mbuna group. Probably would be best for the overall health of the tank to pick out the proper ratio of males to females. There are several options for different cichlids in smaller tanks, it just depends on your tastes and what you want. Many that are well suited to smaller tanks can be a chore to find locally, and if you want them you end up having to get them shipped in from someone. The shipping alone can put a big dent in the pocket book. Almost any of the thousands of individual species of cichlids can make wonderful fish to keep so long as we put a little research and thought into planning the tank first.

mx22 · 04-22-2009, 02:41 PM

Ok, so it woulnd't be a problem to add conditioner to the tank first and then pump new water into it?

How many cichlids do you think we can put in 30gal tank? I thought of maybe a pair of different types or even one of, to have diversity in the tank. I do realize that 30gal cannot house any cichlids that grow large and not too many smaller sized ones... I wonder if I should open a new thread in cichlid forum on this instead?

Thank You!

ValRasbora · 05-16-2009, 12:42 PM

Regarding heaters- I have a simple one where you just plug it in, and adjust the temperature. It turns the heat on and off to get the water just right. Works great for me in my 10 gal tank. I think it's one (of these) heaters for every 15 gallons. It only cost about $15-$20.

MrNiteOwl · 06-03-2009, 08:37 AM

One suggestion I would like to make is.... Why not go for a bigger tank? If its because you don't have enough room in your home for a bigger tank.... than go with what fits.... But if it's because of price.... May I suggest looking for a used one on Craigslist. I got my self a 72g bowfront with everything I would need and more for only $150. The best to way to find them is.... on the home page in the search craigslist bar.... do a search for fish and another for aquarium. You can also do a search in the pets section as well. You well find great bundled tanks.

If you do get a bigger tank.... you can have more of a diversified cichlid tank....

Monoxide · 06-03-2009, 04:17 PM

Personally Id say higher then 30 gal. I had a 30 gal. It was nice but when it got to my list of fish I was limited. These are very beautiful fish but most have aggression. Electric Yellow maybe you are speaking of what I call Yellow Labs? Also to get water out I purchased the longest syphon at walmart (really good investment) Also when switching fish into the new big tank.. Get the tank up and running properly, make sure the temp is good, water is good, get them treated with the new water(introduce em) dont just throw em in. Also Don't know what kind of fish you have seen. But many pretty fish. I had yellow labs, red zebras, jewel, colbalt blue, bumble bee, many more in my other tanks. In this section of fish like they said theres MANY species.. when I was reading I found out theres more then what I would even get to read in my life time about them. So each day is an event looking and reading... Also you can google those fish and google it and look at em. Just remember they like alot of hiding spots, they get aggresive and your limited on what you can get with the smaller tanks. They will fight for territory and move things.

brody · 06-17-2009, 03:58 AM

why not try for some dwarf cichlids like blue rams or gold rams or bolovian rams they would like very nice in a tank with maybe some shoaling fish like rummynoses or other tetra.

04-22-2009, 09:08 AM	#1
mx22 Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Upgrading to a larger tank; some questions... Hello, I currently have small 5gallon tank for my Betta, had it running for a few months now. My wife and I would like to get a bigger one and put some cichlids there. Would a 30 gallon tank be large enough? I understand that probably some bigger cichlids such as Oscar are too big for such an aquarium, but how about something smaller? My wife really likes Electric yellow cichlids, so I thought that plus a few other cichlids... Any recomendations? And now on to a couple of technical questions. How would I go about doing water changes in such a large tank? Right now with 5 gallons its not a problem, I just put some water in a bucket, condition and heat it overnight and then change the water following morning. However with 30gal tank, I can't really see myself having 3 buckets staying overnight - I'm sure there is something less time consuming. I've read some people pour straight tap water, but how do you deal with temperature difference and chloride? Also, what kind of filter would you guys (and gals) recommend for the above tank? Thank You!

04-22-2009, 09:30 AM	#2
BlueStraggler Medium Fish Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Poconos, PA Posts: 304	A python will make wc on a big tank very easy. It vacuums, empties and refills the tank in the matter of minutes. I'd go a little bigger than a 30g for cichlids. Thats just me. They are beautiful yes. But can be aggressive sometimes. Some species more than others so having lots of space, cover and territories will increase your success level. Any hang on back filter will do the job. I think the pythons go for about ten bucks. __________________ http://www.myfishtank.net/photopost/...0/ppuser/13327

04-22-2009, 11:44 AM	#4
Orion Moderator Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kentucky Posts: 5,666	I get the water close as it comes out of the tap. After a while you get used to what's close and what isn't. And I always just add Prime to my tanks as I'm refilling with the Python. You probably could do some yellow labs in a 30 gallon. They are the mellow guys out of the mbuna group. Probably would be best for the overall health of the tank to pick out the proper ratio of males to females. There are several options for different cichlids in smaller tanks, it just depends on your tastes and what you want. Many that are well suited to smaller tanks can be a chore to find locally, and if you want them you end up having to get them shipped in from someone. The shipping alone can put a big dent in the pocket book. Almost any of the thousands of individual species of cichlids can make wonderful fish to keep so long as we put a little research and thought into planning the tank first. __________________ I am Species 5618: Coffee Based life form Join us in the MFT.net chatroom!

06-03-2009, 08:37 AM	#7
MrNiteOwl Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: May 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 35	One suggestion I would like to make is.... Why not go for a bigger tank? If its because you don't have enough room in your home for a bigger tank.... than go with what fits.... But if it's because of price.... May I suggest looking for a used one on Craigslist. I got my self a 72g bowfront with everything I would need and more for only $150. The best to way to find them is.... on the home page in the search craigslist bar.... do a search for fish and another for aquarium. You can also do a search in the pets section as well. You well find great bundled tanks. If you do get a bigger tank.... you can have more of a diversified cichlid tank.... __________________ 1.5g ~ 1 Red Crayfish 72g ~ 2 Red Cap Orandas (Pinky & The Brain), 1 Red and White Ryukin (Smoky), 1 "Green" Lionhead (Leo or Hulk?), 2 Black Moors (free), 1 Blue Mystery Snail (free), 1 Gold Mystery Snail, 1 Black Mystery Snail (free), 20+ Ghost Shrimp, 1 Bamboo Shrimp 35g ~ 3 Cichlids, 1 Dragon Goby (free) 50g ~ SW w/ 70lbs LR, 25lbs LS, 4 Percula Clowns, 1 Blue Hippo Tang, 1 Black Belly Trigger, 1 Scopas Tang, Red Legged Hermits and some Corals 50g ~ Empty

04-22-2009, 10:23 AM	#3
mx22 Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks! How do you control water temperature then and what about chlorine/chloramine?

04-22-2009, 02:41 PM	#5
mx22 Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Ok, so it woulnd't be a problem to add conditioner to the tank first and then pump new water into it? How many cichlids do you think we can put in 30gal tank? I thought of maybe a pair of different types or even one of, to have diversity in the tank. I do realize that 30gal cannot house any cichlids that grow large and not too many smaller sized ones... I wonder if I should open a new thread in cichlid forum on this instead? Thank You!

05-16-2009, 12:42 PM	#6
ValRasbora Large Fish Join Date: May 2009 Location: Atlantic Canada Posts: 605	Regarding heaters- I have a simple one where you just plug it in, and adjust the temperature. It turns the heat on and off to get the water just right. Works great for me in my 10 gal tank. I think it's one (of these) heaters for every 15 gallons. It only cost about $15-$20.

06-03-2009, 04:17 PM	#8
Monoxide Little Fish Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 198	Personally Id say higher then 30 gal. I had a 30 gal. It was nice but when it got to my list of fish I was limited. These are very beautiful fish but most have aggression. Electric Yellow maybe you are speaking of what I call Yellow Labs? Also to get water out I purchased the longest syphon at walmart (really good investment) Also when switching fish into the new big tank.. Get the tank up and running properly, make sure the temp is good, water is good, get them treated with the new water(introduce em) dont just throw em in. Also Don't know what kind of fish you have seen. But many pretty fish. I had yellow labs, red zebras, jewel, colbalt blue, bumble bee, many more in my other tanks. In this section of fish like they said theres MANY species.. when I was reading I found out theres more then what I would even get to read in my life time about them. So each day is an event looking and reading... Also you can google those fish and google it and look at em. Just remember they like alot of hiding spots, they get aggresive and your limited on what you can get with the smaller tanks. They will fight for territory and move things.

06-17-2009, 03:58 AM	#9
brody Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: May 2009 Location: england Posts: 42	why not try for some dwarf cichlids like blue rams or gold rams or bolovian rams they would like very nice in a tank with maybe some shoaling fish like rummynoses or other tetra.