[Fear2000]

ok i bought a 46gall use tank, the old owner empty the tank a day before pick up, i pick it up a day after and set it up so i can start the cycle i just rinse the media on a fluval 250 canister filter, but i did not put new media so i guess there were bacteria on the filter, that was Saturday.
yesterday i did a water test and this is what i came, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5, pH 7.8 and high range pH 7.6.
my question is this mean that the tank is bean cycle and is safe for fish? and also , the pH is good for cichlids?
Thank You all.

 

[Boredomb]

If the media stayed wet during the process then it would have survived. The numbers look good as there appears to some bacteria in there by the numbers. I would stock small and slowly to let the bacteria catch up to the new additions.
I think some cichlids need higher ph then that. What type are you looking at getting?

 

[FishyFishy89]

What is the hardness of your water?

 

[MoneyMitch]

If the media stayed wet during the process then it would have survived. The numbers look good as there appears to some bacteria in there by the numbers. I would stock small and slowly to let the bacteria catch up to the new additions.
I think some cichlids need higher ph then that. What type are you looking at getting?

+1 you could get away with that ph for African's and also very important to stock slowly over time... id say 3 every 2 weeks until you get to where you want to be but all the while doing weekly 50% w/c's

 

[Fear2000]

If the media stayed wet during the process then it would have survived. The numbers look good as there appears to some bacteria in there by the numbers. I would stock small and slowly to let the bacteria catch up to the new additions.
I think some cichlids need higher ph then that. What type are you looking at getting?

im looking to get some yelow labs, the rest i need help choosing so any feedback is good, i like some nice color but no to big cichlids

 

[Fear2000]

What is the hardness of your water?

i dont know, how you measure that?

 

[MoneyMitch]

GH and KH test kit... or call the local water company and ask... or you can look it up online

 

[MoneyMitch]

im looking to get some yelow labs, the rest i need help choosing so any feedback is good, i like some nice color but no to big cichlids

labs can get 6-8"

 

[Fear2000]

+1 you could get away with that ph for African's and also very important to stock slowly over time... id say 3 every 2 weeks until you get to where you want to be but all the while doing weekly 50% w/c's

How many is a good number for a 46 gall tank?

 

[MoneyMitch]

u can stuff 46 Africans in there if you wanted... but the maitence would be insane.. its more of a choice how much work you willing to do. its common to stuff Africans to keep aggression down

 

[Fear2000]

u can stuff 46 Africans in there if you wanted... but the maitence would be insane.. its more of a choice how much work you willing to do. its common to stuff Africans to keep aggression down

ok so im looking maybe like 15 or 20 but i want some color there, so which one are the best to go and that get along with yellow labs?

 

[MoneyMitch]

personally I would consider labs a peacefull African pretty much any other Africans will work with them. Africans are super colorful. electric blue johannis are very pretty but have a mean streak in them. acei are pretty purpleish fish with yellow fins and then theres always a powder blue cichlid that looks exactly like the name.

 

[Fear2000]

personally I would consider labs a peacefull African pretty much any other Africans will work with them. Africans are super colorful. electric blue johannis are very pretty but have a mean streak in them. acei are pretty purpleish fish with yellow fins and then theres always a powder blue cichlid that looks exactly like the name.

Those are some nice fish, let me work whit a stock plan and i post it and you give me your advise if it works. Thank You

 

[MoneyMitch]

sure thing Africans are my fav! my past 4 setups have been African cichlids

 

[SeaHorse]

ok i bought a 46gall use tank, the old owner empty the tank a day before pick up, i pick it up a day after and set it up so i can start the cycle i just rinse the media on a fluval 250 canister filter, but i did not put new media so i guess there were bacteria on the filter, that was Saturday.
yesterday i did a water test and this is what i came, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5, pH 7.8 and high range pH 7.6.
my question is this mean that the tank is bean cycle and is safe for fish? and also , the pH is good for cichlids?
Thank You all.

Hello Fear.
Did you rinse the gravel, tank, filter or media with TAP water straight from the tap or did you use De-chlorinated tap water from a tub/bucket or old tank water?
Chlorine will kill your good bacteria so depending on your answer you may be facing another cycle.

 

[FishyFishy89]

I'd honestly pour in some pure ammonia for a week/run my tests just for good measures.

 

[JDM]

... Or just plant the heck out of it and don't worry about the cycle... of course with some cichlids you might not have that option I suppose.

Jeff.

 

[FishyFishy89]

Which is why I suggested adding pure ammonia/doing tests for a week. Chiclids, especially Africans, don't do too well in planted tanks. They like doing decorating of their own. Atleast that is what I've read when researching.

The OP COULD do mostly floating plants and plants in terracotta pots. I'm also taking into account that maybe the OP doesn't have the money to completely plant their tank. Despite how cheap plants appear, the cost really adds up. I thought I could completely plant my tank....until I decided to do the math one night. YIKES!

 

[MoneyMitch]

to jeff and fishy... as you both know I run a planted tank with Africans. ive yet to have them destroy any of my plants. yes they may nip here and there but I cant tell you the last time ive had to replant due to digging/picking. theres nothing wrong with Africans and planted tanks. Africans are super colorful and can add quite a bit to a planted tank.

 

[FishyFishy89]

Actually, I don't know that. I barely even know what 3 mods are running. Every fish is different and the majority of what I've read is chiclids like to do their own decorating. So usually a fully planted tank doesn't do well with them.