hello everybody im new here any cichlid lovers

Hello Mike, when you say keep the tank clear are you referring to cloudy water?

 

How often do you do water changes? What are your ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte readings?

 

Do you keep African Cichlids or South American Cichlids? I keep Africans and my tank is crystal clear. 25-50% water change no less than once every 2 weeks. I used to keep SA Cichlids and I had problems with cloudy water once they started to grow. That could happen if you are overstocked. What size tank and what are you keeping in it?

 

I do 25% every 10 days welcome MIKE

 

Welcome... yeah you need to specify region of origin with the term "Cichlid" refers actually to a family of fish that have 2 sets of jaws... (1 inner and 1 outer)

My avitar is a Cichlid... I keep Discus.. Totally different than say an Oscar (also a cichlid) or any one of the African Cichlids

 

The yellow fish with the black stripe sounds like a Yellow Lab. Cichlids get pretty big. Sounds like you are definitely overstocked. More water changes may help but again, with the fish you have you will need a bigger tank. The africans do ok with the Jack Dempsey and the Green Terror?

 

Its a good rule to follow with community fish. All a matter of experience and opinion if you ask me. Everything i've read about Ram Cichlids says you need no less than 20 gallons for 2 fish. Not sure if you've seen these fish but they are quite small. I have 2 in a ten gallon right now doing great! Cichlids are territorial fish. Especially the africans. The more space you give them the better. South American Cichlids require even more space. I had a 55 gallon tank with 5 South American Cichlids and wasnt able to clear it up until I took a few out. They get really big really fast and your water will stay cloudy if your tank is overstocked. 125 gallons would be a great tank for those fish. I would still separate the South American's from the Africans though. Try stepping up your water changes. No less than once a week. Also may help to change the carbon in your filter. If your tank has been up for a while 1-2 water changes a week should do wonders for the cloudy water. Try a 50% water change and see if some of the cloudiness goes away..

 

yes plant food (extra nutrients) could cause the cloudiness. It causes a bacterial bloom. I used to get that after adding liquid ferts. I'd recommend you feed less, fert less, and do more frequent partial water changes. Personally I do 25% weekly in each of my tanks. Regular partial water changes is the key to good fish health and clean tank.

 

The Green Terror and Jack Dempsey are SA Cichlids. They may be ok with the africans right now but I would keep a close eye on all of your fish. Once they start getting bigger they may not mix well.

 

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As for the cloudy water, I'd get the basic test kits...api freshwater master (liquid) is a good one and find out what your readings are & if they are "steady". Wondering if the tank is fully cycled or going through mini cycles (but with the lower end of water being changed I'm hesitant to think mini cycles would be your problem).

Are you adding a dechlorinator such as PRIME just before adding the fresh water? and are you swishing the media in the tank water (to salvage the bb)?

As others have already told you ...the tank is overstocked so I'd go with higher water changes (myself I'd go with 40% every 2-3 days until you can lessen the bioload on that tank)...that in itself may correct the cloudy water.

What are you feeding and the frequency your feeding? (excess nutrients could be to blame too).

 

welcome...

 

pm received

Reply:
first, for the marineland cartridges on an average stocked tank they should only need rinsed/replaced on average monthly. You definately want to overfilter any tank...so ignore the gph that they CLAIM the filter will handle and go with the biggest one you can fit on the tank!
I have both hob and canisters..I prefer the canisters because I can talor the media and am not forced to purchase the store cartridges that your pretty much stuck with if you go hob. I have Rena Filstars and absolutely love them

Your good on changing out the carbon every 2-3 weeks...ps. just a fyi on the carbon:
never use in a tank that your adding additives such as medicine or chemicals (plants additives, bio extract, etc) because the carbon will remove it.
Most won't use carbon because of it, but it is good for removing meds-tannins-and odor.

You should only need PRIME alone...I always suggest treating for the entire tank volume-remove the dirty water...add the prime for the entire tank volume...then add the clean water.

I suggest doing a 25-30% water change weekly (will keep your nitrites/nitrates in check). Pick a day of the week that's easy for you to remember.
For example..I go with Thursdays since my water company adds extra crap to the water on the weekends.

Food..I'd suggest using a variety instead of the same staple regularly. If your dealing with cichlids I'd suggest Danichi, New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula, Hikari Sprirulina (frozen spirulina infused brine shrimp is really good), etc
3-4 times a day..no more than they will eat in say 20seconds (if your feeding dry food you can use a automatic feeder to make it easier to feed them more often). I know Eheim Digital one is a good one...Usually on Ebay you can score a new one wayyy cheaper than the fish stores.

 

Welcome!