125 African Cichlid

About to setup a 125 African cichlid tank. Wish me luck as I have not had a cichlid tank setup for years. Could be a little rusty. Any advice/thoughts would greatly be appreciated

Good luck show pic please

Once I get it setup I will start posting progress pics

What kind of African tank? Stock ideas?

Please have excellent filtration not just standard filtration the more the better. Remember your water changes this is a must and plus.

Yes make sure you over filter your tank and remember the more fish you have in your tank the less aggression you will have.Try to get all males also!Keep us posted on how it goes!

Flippercon wrote:

What kind of African tank? Stock ideas?

ahhh....the million dollar question

sassynurse2 wrote:

Please have excellent filtration not just standard filtration the more the better. Remember your water changes this is a must and plus.

I have an ehiem 2260 that is rated for a 400g tank. Thinking of installing it as the main source of filtration

Personally I prefer a sump / wet,dry , filter for all my tanks . easy to care for , never lose your bio , and get great flow . Just my personal likes. of my 44 tanks , only nine are not on a sump system.

lifeisgood wrote:

Personally I prefer a sump / wet,dry , filter for all my tanks . easy to care for , never lose your bio , and get great flow . Just my personal likes. of my 44 tanks , only nine are not on a sump system.

Thanks for the info. I will have to look into that option as well

lifeisgood wrote:

Personally I prefer a sump / wet,dry , filter for all my tanks . easy to care for , never lose your bio , and get great flow . Just my personal likes. of my 44 tanks , only nine are not on a sump system.

I only have one but it out does the rest .

If you decide to go with the 2260....consider adding at least one other filter....something like an AC110 or an Emp400. Having two filters (and two types of filters) really adds to the flexibility (and the stability) of your tank.

6 foot tanks are fantastic tanks ....almost unlimited fish choices! Wish I had room for more of this size tank

this is the fun part! I am just completeing a 55 gal setup for cichlids myself and am trying to get the right fish for it as we speak. Its really amazing looking, i designed everything myself and cut the stone etc. to build a kind of sunken city for them to live in. Its my first cichlid tank so I hope they are all healthy and happy! I see advice on heavy filtration above... anything else?

lifeisgood wrote:

Personally I prefer a sump / wet,dry , filter for all my tanks . easy to care for , never lose your bio , and get great flow . Just my personal likes. of my 44 tanks , only nine are not on a sump system.

nick a wrote:

If you decide to go with the 2260....consider adding at least one other filter....something like an AC110 or an Emp400. Having two filters (and two types of filters) really adds to the flexibility (and the stability) of your tank.

6 foot tanks are fantastic tanks ....almost unlimited fish choices! Wish I had room for more of this size tank

The 2260 is rated for 400 gallons. Do I really need another filter? What's the reason for adding another one when this one alone will filter so much?

Ak_fish_freak wrote:

nick a wrote:

If you decide to go with the 2260....consider adding at least one other filter....something like an AC110 or an Emp400. Having two filters (and two types of filters) really adds to the flexibility (and the stability) of your tank.

6 foot tanks are fantastic tanks ....almost unlimited fish choices! Wish I had room for more of this size tank

The 2260 is rated for 400 gallons. Do I really need another filter? What's the reason for adding another one when this one alone will filter so much?

I have a FX5 thats rated 400 gallons on my 140g,plus a Ehiem classic 2217 and 2 sponge filters.Its always good to have a xtra filteration of some sort!I overstock my tanks though and never have and problems with my water!

BFinley wrote:

Ak_fish_freak wrote:

nick a wrote:

If you decide to go with the 2260....consider adding at least one other filter....something like an AC110 or an Emp400. Having two filters (and two types of filters) really adds to the flexibility (and the stability) of your tank.

6 foot tanks are fantastic tanks ....almost unlimited fish choices! Wish I had room for more of this size tank

The 2260 is rated for 400 gallons. Do I really need another filter? What's the reason for adding another one when this one alone will filter so much?

I have a FX5 thats rated 400 gallons on my 140g,plus a Ehiem classic 2217 and 2 sponge filters.Its always good to have a xtra filteration of some sort!I overstock my tanks though and never have and problems with my water!

Got it. It just seems like a lot of wasted elecrticity. I dont know. You guys know more than I do so I have to take your advice

First off...NEVER...take what any manufacturer says as gospel! Is that a 400 gallon tank with 2 guppies in it??? You don't know. Most cichlid tanks are heavily stocked and most cichlids are somewhat messy fish.

2nd....canisters and HOBs function a little differently and when properly paired they can really provide a nice one-two-punch.

3rd....you're probably going to spend a whole lot more on electricity for lighting than on the added HOB..I can't remember off the top of my head, but neither of those two HOBs is going to draw more than 20 watts. Never mind if you're running a 200-300 watt heater!!!!

4th... what happens to the great/maybe expensive fish you collect to fill this tank when the single filter on it fails? Cheap insurance policy! This policy also covers us when we do something stupid when cleaning a filter---the bio in the 2nd filter will rapidly expand to prevent any spikes .

5th....2260's are kinda a PITA to clean. HOBS are much easier. Using the HOB as primary mechanical and cleaning it more often can give you double or triple the time between needing to break the 2260 down. (I'd also suggest you consider using a prefilter on the 2260 to even further enhance this duration.)

I go somewhat overboard on my heavily stocked 125s and have a 2250, xP3 AND and Emp 400 on them. So, no not working for filter manufacturers or the 'lectric CO. ---just trying to get you off on a good start!

Here is a video of our 150 gallon that runs on a single sump system. Been running for three years without a problem . Cleaned and water change once a week . Filter medium changes about every 8 days . Bio balls are always there so you don't lose your Bio .



ok , I'm out ,,,, Ray

Nick a hit the nail on the head. 400gph is running with no media or strainers. The number is even rounded to make it look better. 2 is better then 1

some really nice fish that are super active and somewhat unique are the cherry spot tropheus and the starry night tropheus. they are fun to watch and would probably do best in groups of about 6-7. and 1 fluval fx5 plus a aqua clear 30-60 on the back of the tank should keep that water looking glassy!

nick a wrote:

First off...NEVER...take what any manufacturer says as gospel! Is that a 400 gallon tank with 2 guppies in it??? You don't know. Most cichlid tanks are heavily stocked and most cichlids are somewhat messy fish.

2nd....canisters and HOBs function a little differently and when properly paired they can really provide a nice one-two-punch.

3rd....you're probably going to spend a whole lot more on electricity for lighting than on the added HOB..I can't remember off the top of my head, but neither of those two HOBs is going to draw more than 20 watts. Never mind if you're running a 200-300 watt heater!!!!

4th... what happens to the great/maybe expensive fish you collect to fill this tank when the single filter on it fails? Cheap insurance policy! This policy also covers us when we do something stupid when cleaning a filter---the bio in the 2nd filter will rapidly expand to prevent any spikes .

5th....2260's are kinda a PITA to clean. HOBS are much easier. Using the HOB as primary mechanical and cleaning it more often can give you double or triple the time between needing to break the 2260 down. (I'd also suggest you consider using a prefilter on the 2260 to even further enhance this duration.)

I go somewhat overboard on my heavily stocked 125s and have a 2250, xP3 AND and Emp 400 on them. So, no not working for filter manufacturers or the 'lectric CO. ---just trying to get you off on a good start!

Thanks for the info Nick

lifeisgood wrote:

Here is a video of our 150 gallon that runs on a single sump system. Been running for three years without a problem . Cleaned and water change once a week . Filter medium changes about every 8 days . Bio balls are always there so you don't lose your Bio .



ok , I'm out ,,,, Ray

Looking good ray. That water is super clear

Flippercon wrote:

Nick a hit the nail on the head. 400gph is running with no media or strainers. The number is even rounded to make it look better. 2 is better then 1

bossman wrote:

some really nice fish that are super active and somewhat unique are the cherry spot tropheus and the starry night tropheus. they are fun to watch and would probably do best in groups of about 6-7. and 1 fluval fx5 plus a aqua clear 30-60 on the back of the tank should keep that water looking glassy!

Yeah if I cant find a fx5 for a decent price, I will hook up the 2260 and a HOB. Through everyones input, two filters is the way to go, so its the way I shall go.

good decision, and if i find a decently priced fx5 i'll let ya know

by the way.. nice vid, and man thats alot of goldfish ahah

bossman wrote:

good decision, and if i find a decently priced fx5 i'll let ya know

Yeah please do