30 gallon stocking options

Ok we were planning on moving the tetras to the 30 gallon and turning the 25 into a saltwater tank but we dont have the time or the money to set up a saltwater.
We also have plans on purchasing a 55 gallon to set up an african cichlid tankbut dont have the money ofr that or the space right know.
What would the chances be of putting about 5-6 africans in the 30 gallon until we move out next year.

Any suggestions.
Tyler and amanda

 

i have jsut gotten into cichlids and i dont think u cna keep many in a 30 but i have reading aquarium fish magazine the other day and it said u can keep like six julies cichlids in there but not a lot of africans at least 2 with some bottom feeders and some otos

 

If you're talking about the africans commonly sold in mixed or assorted tanks, the only one that might have a chance of working are yellow labs. You could do some shell dwellers, though.

-Chelle

 

woldn't 5-6 yellow labs be overstocked for a 30 gal? I know you plan on getting a 55gal which is a good idea but, funding or something else could change and you'd be stuck with a severly overstocked tank once they grow.

 

Not really. Mbuna actually don't produce a high bioload compared to other cichlids and (at least in my experience) yellow labs don't get as big as most other mbuna (I have yet to see one bigger than 3 1/2"). With mbuna, I generally allot around 5 gallons each. That generally seems to work in terms of bioload and crowding.

-Chelle

 

yes i am talking about lake malawi cichlids. I was thinking of 4-6 labs and then add a couple more other species when i get the 55 set up. It will most likely be near the end of the summer or into the fall.

Tyler and Amanda

 

ok chelle I'll accept that they'll be fine but i swear when I asked you said that they needed a 55...would it be fine to put another species in with 3 yellow labs in a 30 gal? so 3 and 3?

 

I think I was talking about some of the more aggressive mbuna like kenyi & bumblebees. They are much more aggressive than yellow labs so they really need to be kept in larger groups and have more space available for territories. With them, the large tank isn't so much for bioload as it is aggression/territory. Yellow labs aren't as aggressive as other mbuna so you don't need quite as many of them or as much room (not saying they're not aggressive, just not as aggressive as the others).

As for other ones to go in there with yellow labs, I really can't think of any. Pseudotropheus acei is also a relatively peaceful mbuna, but they get larger than yellow labs so it would be a bit tight trying to fit a group of both in a 30 gallon.

-Chelle

 

hmm well the bumbleebee mbuna are stocked with the yellow labs at the store so would it be ok to put them in there since they get along or as they grow could things change?

 

It will most likely change as they get older.

-Chelle

 

Ok theres been a change of plans. With little room to spare we found a new home at Amandas sisters for the 25 gallon tetra tank. That way it opens up space in our apartment but still allows us to keep in contact with the fish. With the 25 gallon leaving shortly we are saving up to buy our 55 gallon a bit sooner than expected.
Also when we do move out we are going to set up the 30 gallon again and were thinking of 1 kissing gouramis and 2-3 bottom feeders of some sort.
What do you think?
Hope all works out well.
Tyler and Amanda

 

Spiffy. :y_the_best:

I'd look into a different kind of gouramis. Kissing gouramis get too big for a 30 gallon (they get around a foot long).

-Chelle

 

If i was you. I would keep saving for a while longer than your planning, and try going with a 75gal or higher if u can. when it comes down to it the cost of a 75gal or 100 even is not that mutch more money in comparison. thats if your like me and after having the 55 for a year. I now feel the need to get a 100 or 120gal. so now ima have to shell out the cash for the 120, and the 55gal will be retired to my storage. >< kind of a waste.
Once u get into chiclids there are so many to choose from, and i don't think u can really stop learning of new species/subspecies. there are so bloody many. for the 30gal i'd just get some shell dwellers. there are many diffrent types. german rams are cool, but get a little old after a while. they would be good for a planted tank however. I recently got a Livingstonii chiclid which is kind of neat. its also called "the sleeper" because it feigns death and waits for fish to approach, then jumps back to life and eats them up. a Livingstonii would be suitable in a 30gal untill you could save up for a bigger tank. they are really quite neat. and have camo colouring.

heres some interesting chiclid links.

http://www.riftlakes.com/

This site has profiles on most African chiclids as well as multiple photos to go with most of them. if u look under lake tanganyika u will find a list of shelldweller profiles: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/

Profile & pics of Nimbochromis Livingstonii: http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/s ... hp?id=1158

 

yeah for me I got my 55gal acrylic and wet/dry filter which is supposed to be one of the best types of filtration for free off of craigslist.org so I am happy with mine. I really want a flowerhorn someday but, unless you buy them small they're really expensive so I want a smaller tank to put one in until it grows up. A 55 gal is quite large for a 1 inch fish.