African Cichlid Tanks: How to set up the perfect home for your fish

Sept. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Every cichlid nouveau needs to have a beginners guide on how to set up his African cichlid tank. And there are so many things to consider when you start with your African cichlid tanks and one of which is how to choose the right tank. African cichlids are very aggressive by nature and in order for them to thrive, water quality must be considered. A 55 gallon tank is what is ideal for African cichlids but the bigger is always the better. It is also advised that you put a substrate of rocks or sand to make your African cichlid feel at home.

There is also this choose of wanting an acrylic tank or a glass one for your African cichlid tanks. There are so many pros and cons to consider. For acrylic, the pros are it is light and it can provide the clearest view of the tank. You can easily buff the scratches plus they are easy to drill and modify. They also come in so many shapes and not to mention the fact that the seams tend to maintain a high integrity for life. However the cons are it needs a good support for a stand so it could support the entire bottom of your African cichlid tank but then again, it is prone to bow over especially when it is made from a thin material.

An African cichlid tank that is made of glass requires only a perimeter stand support; it is more rigid and can resist any scratches. The consequence of owning one is that it is heavy to carry and move around; it can turn yellowish in color and the scratches can never be removed. It also must be professionally modified plus all seams are visible.
Another consideration to think about when choosing the best African cichlid tank is its capacity to accommodate the filter. There are so many tanks now that can facilitate external wet and dry sump system through their built in overflow system. This process is a good way to increase the volume of the tank water and therefore the system’s ability to buffer the water easily changes.

In African cichlid tanks, shape is also a big factor to consider. The width is what matters when it comes to these tanks. The goal you need to reach is to create a substrate surface that is long enough to accommodate your African cichlid’s needs. The height of the tank is secondary as well as the depth of it.

The second thought to consider is the filtration system of your African cichlid tank. There are so many times of filtration system and you need the right one to fit your African cichlid’s needs. You need a filter that does not create any heavy current in your water tank. Your cichlids won’t be able to swim well if the water is too heavy with its current or waves.

Other factors are lighting, and yes, substrates too. You need to fill your African cichlid tank with rocks, caves and crevices!

For more information, visit us at:  http://www.CichlidFish-Center.com/cichlid_aquarium_setup....