Got the 125g....getting Cichlids...filter?

[LawDog101]

Ok, got the 125g the other day and I plan on having the following fish in it:

2 red bellied pacu's

2-4 tiger oscars

Cichlids- probably Texas

1. Not having Cichlids before, what kind of filter system am I looking at. I have been using Ehiem products with good results in my other two tanks (Pacu, tiger barbs, gourami's, etc.) but I have been told that with the bigger messier fish, I will need to go with undergravel....any opinions as far as what I need for minimal maintenance and effective filtering?

2. As far as fish, will I have any problems with the above combination. I have my pacu in with 5 tiger barbs and three large gourami's with no problems. Any thoughts are appreciated.

thanks

James

[oscarbartoni]

Being as how some pacu can get to be nearly 4 foot long in the wild I would advise you to think carefully about them. The oscars can get to be about 15 inches and the Texas cichlids can get to be 10 inches or so. I would recommend that oscars and maybe the Texas cichlids in the numbers that you mentioned would be safe until you have a pair form and then all bets are off as a breeding pair of either oscars or Texas cichlids could wish to have the whole tank for their own and kill the other trank mates. :confused:

[CrazieEddie]

If you are going with UGF, don't just run it alone. It's best to run it along with another filter. UGF offer a better biological filtration, but not mechanical/chemical. Canister filters offer good mechanical/chemical filtration, but not biological. Running both, you would have the best of both worlds.

If you do go with a UGF, buy a powerhead. For a tank that big, I don't think using an airline tube will cut it. I would probably go with a powerhead (or maybe a pump) that is rated for a tank of at least 75 gallons.

Otherwise, if you're going to stick with just a canister filter, buy one that is rated larger than your tank. Cichlids are very messy.

[LawDog101]

I have had the two pacu in a 30g with 5 tiger barbs and three gouramis for several months now without any problems. They tend to get a bad reputation for being aggressive. They are fairly non-aggressive, I would say comparable to a gourami.

Also, what I have learned about pacu is that they will grow to thier environment. mine were about the size of a 50 cent piece and now they are 5" in diameter. They have held this size for five months now. they appear to be greatly regulated by food.

As for the tank, I am hopeful that the length of the tank will provide "two-corners" so to speak for the cichlids and the oscars. I am going to provide cover in the middle and on each end so that each has its own territory.

I plan on getting an Eheim filter (super size) for the tank and keep the fish count low.

We shall see.

James