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Questions from a newbie

1K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  willow 
#1 ·
Hi,
I am in the process of setting up a new 80gal tank. I am currently cycling the tank.
Question:
1) I am going to get 2 heaters. But what temparature should I set on each heater if I need the temp in the tank to be 70'F? WIll the temp be too high if i set both heater to 70'F? Coz I've heard many ppl suggesting 2 heaters incase 1 is failed.

2)Do I need air pump for Lake Malawi cichlids? I have a Marines Penguin 220B, and Penguin 350 filters. And 2 small live plants. I am thinking to have 8-15 fishes in my tank. Do Lake Malawi cichlids require a lot of oxygen? Or with my current setting they will be sine?

3) Plant. What are the suggested plants for Lake Malawi cichlids? And how do I plant them? DO I just bury them into the gravel? WIll that be affected when i vaccum the gravel?

4)Aquarium salt. Is that neccesary for fresh water fish?

That's all the questions I have for now. Hopefully will get some advices.
Thanks in advance.
 
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#2 ·
humsuplou said:
1) I am going to get 2 heaters. But what temparature should I set on each heater if I need the temp in the tank to be 70'F? WIll the temp be too high if i set both heater to 70'F? Coz I've heard many ppl suggesting 2 heaters incase 1 is failed.
2 heaters is always better than 1. You can set both at 70 degrees. If the temperature becomes warmer than that, the heaters will automatically turn off.
2)Do I need air pump for Lake Malawi cichlids? I have a Marines Penguin 220B, and Penguin 350 filters. And 2 small live plants. I am thinking to have 8-15 fishes in my tank. Do Lake Malawi cichlids require a lot of oxygen? Or with my current setting they will be sine?
I believe your Penguin filters make surface movements. An airpump is not mandatory however to be safe, I would get one. Lake Malawi cichlids are large oxygen consumers and will gasp on the surface at the slightest drop of oxygen level.

What plants do you have? Unless these are Java ferns, vallisnerias and anubias, your plants are bound to be killed by the cichlids.

3) Plant. What are the suggested plants for Lake Malawi cichlids? And how do I plant them? DO I just bury them into the gravel? WIll that be affected when i vaccum the gravel?
Java fern-Tie it on a rock or wood.
Anubias-The same.
Vallisneria-Plant it on the substrate but make sure not to bury the white crown or the plant will eventually melt to death.

4)Aquarium salt. Is that neccesary for fresh water fish?
No. You can however store it for emergencies such as ich. Anyone who recommends dosing it unnecessarily will simply encourage you to spend more money.:shake: I prefer table salt over aquarium salt. You do not have to pay extra cash on table salt.:wink2:
 
#3 ·
hi
put a heater at either end of the tank,and set them to 79f
don't worry,they should swith off as soon as the water
has reached 79f.
don't forget to have a thermometre in there so you can
also watch the temp.
i don't think you need bubbles in htere.
the thing with cichlids is that they do eat plants,so if you
like a bit of greenery in htere you can do one of three things.
no plants. Plastic plants. or Valisneria,Anubias,Java fern.
apparently they don't like the taste. :)
bury the roots nice and deep.don't worry about the gravel vac
when you get near the plant just don't dig down as much.
no salt,you don't need it.
choose your ratios(sp) carefully to spread agression,because
some of the cichlids are real nasty,the ones you want,your best
to look up on for compatability,
read up on these guys,don't let a LFS tell you
"yeah mate X goes with Y and they luvvvv each other"
because they are more likley to kill each other.:(
there is some wonderfull info on the web these days,
make a wish list and maybe we can help.
phew i'm coming up for air lol.
:)
 
#4 ·
haha in the time it took me to do that
Lupin did a whole post and beat me too,
better read that post to see if i was right. lol
 
#6 ·
thanks :oops:
i love this place,and love to help people with
the same hobby as me,there is nothing worse than really
wanting to do something and you think it will be really hard
so it puts you off.If i can help someone along
then it's great.
:)
all i demand is payment in pictures :jk: :mrgreen:
 
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