Question

[LuvMiCichlids]

I have a 29G tank I want to set up soon. I only have the tank so I'm going to need a filter, heater, Hood, and some sand/rocks for the bottom.

So I'm thinking about getting a 20Lbs bag of Eco-Complete Cichlid Substrate Sand and Gravel both being 20 LBS each at $40 for both. And for the filter I was going to get Whisper In-Tank Filter $27. Then of course i need to get the hood with the light.

But is that filter good for a cichlid tank? and the sand and gravel is use for ciclids to get the Ph up the where it needs to be and it brings out there colors that what im told!?! What do you guys think is best for the 29G. Let me know LOL . I'm going crazy thinking about what im going to get for it... Thanks

[AlishanAS]

I think 40lbs of substrate is way too much for a 29g tank. You could make due with about half of that.

I have never used the product but here is a link with reviews:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/reviews/view_product_review.php?id=994

[DJRansome]

What kind of cichlids were you thinking of putting in a 29G?

[LuvMiCichlids]

I was thinking about mixing them up a little. Nothing to big u know. Just about 10 cichlids all together. ?????
So maybe about 10lbs of sand and 5 lbs gravel??

[AlishanAS]

For a 29g, I would suggest shellies, smaller Neolamps, Altolamps and Julies.

I don't know how a sand/gravel mix would look. Why not do 20lbs of one or the other?

[LuvMiCichlids]

For a 29g, I would suggest shellies, smaller Neolamps, Altolamps and Julies.

I don't know how a sand/gravel mix would look. Why not do 20lbs of one or the other?

I dont want to put to much of either just rite i want it. then ill add some rocks not sure what kind but sum for hiding. And that's about it. ok i'll write them down and see what happens.... Thanks

[KutztownCichlids]

Im going to be completely honest, save your money and buy a bigger tank. A 30 gallon thats 36" long would be ok for 4/5 adults. But in my opinion a 30" tank just isnt enough space to correctly house mbuna,aulonocara or haps. We have all been here once, youll be making a decent investment so do it correctly and you will be happy with the outcome. If your just starting out id go with rustys or yellow labs something simple. If you have a craigslist in your area look on there for tanks. Home Depot has Tan Quikrete sand for $3.50 for a 50lb bag including tax, use a fine strainer and it looks great as substrate (gravel). Its even prewashed. Just my .02 cents

Bruce

[jerrytheplater]

I go to Top Soil distributors with joint compound buckets and fill them with the coarse mason sand. I am charged about $4.00 per bucket. I sieve it through a window screen mesh to remove the really fine stuff. That goes into my garden. But, you can't do it now because it is all frozen.

I like Seachem's Onyx Sand for my cichlid tanks. I have some mixed with Aragonite for a finer mix.

The Carib Sea African Cichlid Mix in my opinion is way too big and coarse. It really looks like crushed Lace Rock. It is very sharp on plants too. I bought some of it and ended up removing it all and sieving it all to keep the stuff that passed through 1/8" mesh screen. All the other was either poured in the walkway between my garden beds or used in a Biological Filter.

I have never used the Eco-Complete products. I just don't want to buy water. I can get the bacteria from established tanks. If I don't have an established tank, I would ask a friend for some of his mulm or filter sponge squeezings. If I don't have a friend nearby, there are starters like Bio Spira out there. Otherwise, just start off the tank slowly and let it cycle on its own.

I used Lace rocks at one point, but I now won't because they are too sharp when the fish dash around in the tank. Try looking in Garden Centers, Rock Distributors for rocks if you can't dig any up in your own area. I have one place near me that lets me select from their skids of rocks to buy a few. Much cheaper than LFS.

[fischfan13]

Jerry, that was absolutely great advice for all to read.

People absolutely underestimate the value of an old dirty sponge filter when starting a new tank