Cichlid tank 3

[Lee Nuttall]

I thought i would start a new topic showing the progression of the new tank setup.

The stage i'm at is fitting the 'Back To Nature' background. I've had to make a few adjustments here and there as the background was too high in places. Looking at the photo you can see i'm a foot or so short.



To hopefully overcome the problem i will have to use some spare off cuts to fill in the gaps.



The off cuts are siliconed in place to cover up the gaps. Once dry i will put a new coat of silicone and disguise the joints by pressing in some aquarium peat.



I decided to use the offcut piece for the outlet holes. Two holes are drilled and the outlet pipe will be fed through, these will both have a spraybar attached.

[Lee Nuttall]

The tank has been half filled tonight, recommended if your filling a largr tank. So far so good, the rest will be filled tomorrow, fingers crossed.

[Lee Nuttall]

The tank is fully filled now, no strange creaking noises or dripping water.

Photos to follow shortly.

[zenins]

Photos to follow shortly.

Looking forward to seeing them

[Lee Nuttall]

Photos as promised.

The tank is settled and crystal clear. I haven't transfered any cichlids yet, but i have introduced a group of 20 swordtails. The cichlids will go in after xmas now.













Lee.

[Piotr Koba]

Looking good. Stones suit perfectly the back-to-nature background. And a very nice sand you use... Well done.

[Lee Nuttall]

Thought i would update with a few tanks shots to show how things are progressing. Just to recap the tank has been running for a month now, everything seems to be running smoothly. The fish have settled and adapted, also the V. heterospila have spawned.









Lee.

[Alex Odesit]

Very nice mate! Good job. Beautiful fish.
Plenty space for huge to be Pearsei:).
Seeing from pictures your Pearsei not really attached to each other. Same as my couple of fish. Antagonistic most of the time. Does yours appears to be the same gender?
Alex

[Lee Nuttall]

Hi Alex,

I wouldn't describe them as Antagonistic, they appear to co exsist well, the larger probable male appears to show interest.

We will wait and see.

Are they M/F? i'm not 100%



Lee.

[Alex Odesit]

No Lee.
If I have close look at my Pearsei genitals, the shape on both fish very simmilar, one larger then other but the fish itself vary in size.

[Lee Nuttall]

A few update photos of the tank.

The tank is maturing nicely now, with algae growing on the rocks and background, this gives a more natural look plus food for the fish to graze on. No major problems since setting up, the only one was a faulty heater. Luckly it didn't stick on, it just wouldn't work to heat up the tank, however the backup heater was doing a fine job until i got a replacement. Always run a couple of heaters just incase.

On one of my walks i found a lovely long piece of oak wood and thought it would look nice in the tank. Here on the photo i've put the long piece on the right hand side.
This has given some much needed cover for the fish, hopefully the regani pair will settle and try spawning again.









Lee.

[Sandman]

Can you update how this tank is doing ?
Along with some great photos you have spoiled us with ?

[Lee Nuttall]

Can you update how this tank is doing ?
Along with some great photos you have spoiled us with ?

Hi Sandman,

The only new additions i've got are a group of young Paratheraps sp 'coatzacoalcos' (Rio Grande) Quite eager to see these grow and develop.



Also a photo of a Thorichthys ellioti (Rio Naranja) and a couple of spare Herichthys deppii from one of their many spawns.



Lee.

[kiriyama]

One word........ JEALOUS
Your tank is the kind of tank I can only wish for mate, waesome pics. Congratulations, it's awesome, love the background.... , boring question though , what type of sand is in there ? , it looks really nice...

[Lee Nuttall]

The sp 'coatzacoalcos' group seem to be settling well. A pecking order has started recently, mainly with the three largest fish of the group.

[Sandman]

It is a treat to see new photos of your tank, thank you.

[Marko Lenac]

It is a treat to see new photos of your tank, thank you.

I perfectly agree!

[Lee Nuttall]

Tonight 2 of the larger 'coatzacoalcos' fish appear to be pairing. Lots of shimmering and circling each other. The largest fish are only around 6" in size, so i presume they become sexually mature at a smaller size?

I still can't tell any obvious sexual dimorphism between the group, what does one look for with these cichlids?