Anybody have cichlids?

[dano83]

Please delete if its illegal to talk about freshwater on here. I bought a 220 last year with intentions of getting back into saltwater but with a baby on the way its gonna take too much time and money so I think im just gonna do a peacock/hap tank. Only somewhat major expense is gonna be finding a good pump for that size tank. Just seeing if anybody else has one set up and if you could post pics

 

[makeshift101]

I have a 55 with 2 young oscars, Im just using 2 canister filters.
yes i know 55 is no where near a 220 though

 

[kegogut]

You can do a fowlr tank just as easy.

 

[EDJFA]

My next tank is going to be a FOWLR.

Dano - I have a DC12000 from Jebao on my 220 as my return. It's a great pump and not super expensive. I'm not familiar enough with large freshwater tanks to know if that would work for what you'd need. Do you need a lot of flow with a tank like that?

I'd agree with Kego, though, and lean towards a FOWLR. With the exception of salt, I would guess the equipment needs for a salt and a fresh tank are pretty close to the same. The live rock would be a bit of an extra expense, but if you look for a good deal, it would be well worth the effort of the hunt.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Years ago I had a 200 with them in it. Just ran two large penguin filters on it.

 

[ebius]

FOWLR can be done with HOB filters......

 

[Scubareefman]

I have been looking at a FW setup. I would love to try my hand at a planted tank...so lush and green. I'm really good at growing lush green hair algae so I think I'm a natural.

 

[kegogut]

My 220 was a cichlid tank before I switched. I ran a canister and an HOB with a maxijet on one side of it and that was my flow.

 

[dano83]

Thanks for all of the input. I would rather have sw and I thought about doing a fowlr but then you start to figure in the cost of rock at 2-3 bucks a pound, sand at 1 a pound, salt, 30 dollars and up for fish, test kits and everything else and it adds up pretty fast on a 220. With fw i can get a 50 pound bag of playsand for 3 bucks and rock from any landscaping place for cheap and fish are only 5 bucks. I see nanook is having a pool party so maybe I can make an apperance, get really drunk and you guys can convince me otherwise.haha

 

[kegogut]

Well Peacocks and Haps arent 5 bucks,you can get some mbunas like yellow,blue labs etc for cheaper though. The best place to get FW fish in Malawi Aquatics on W. Florisant. By FAR the best selection of chiclinds that Ive found in driving distance.

 

[mpgrant77]

Check out www.reefrocks.net. It is dry reef rock but it is super porous, light and really cheap for rock. I got some for my reef tank and love it but think this stuff would be awesome in a cichlid tank also.