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tuliplady
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setting up new tank - 2007/05/28 05:17 Okay, so here are the facts. I have a 55 gallon tank. I have experience keeping regular freshwater tanks, but never a tank full of community cichlids. I had an oscar years ago and he killed everything else that came in the tank so I simply gave up until he died. After that I only set up tanks for regular communtiy fish (tetras, guramis, ect.)

I have moved my other fish to another tank that is smaller and I would like to set this big tank up for cichleds. I want to have as many colorful fish as possible and really make it a pretty tank. I don't care that much about breeding, but if they do and some live, well thats just an added bonus. I have an undergravel filter and a back filter (habit, I always run both on all my tanks, they just seem to make the fishies happier). I don't have any sand or coral/shell type substrate, but I do have plenty of rocks/caves and fake plants. My tank is usually aroun a 7.3 for ph and from what I am reading it needs to be higher, more like a 8.5.

Any suggestions?? I would love to have some ideas for possible fish to add to the tank (easy to find and inexpensive suggestions please) or some ideas about maintaining a highter ph. ect.

Thanks in advance for your help
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justin
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Re:setting up new tank - 2007/05/28 16:48 As far as the types of fish you could try in a community tank, that are colorful, I would recommend:

Electric Yellows - bright yellow
Dolphin Cichlids - beautiful blue
Frontosas - black and white striped, with some blue. These are a little more pricey, but worth it!
Rusty Zebras - rust color
Red x Red zebra - vibrant orange

Hmm, other than that, I would just say that you should visit the largest aquarium shop or breeder you can find, and see what they have. Find what appeals to you, and come back here and ask if it's safe with the others.

There are plenty of artificial pH modifiers, but to be perfectly honest, with community cichlids they'll be hardy enough that you probably don't need to worry. If you're really concerned though, maybe consider getting some substrate, such as aragonite, that will raise the pH
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xxdreadnautxx
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Re:setting up new tank - 2007/07/08 06:48 u just let the oscar die u cruel person if u buy a oscr u need to be alittle bit more aware of wat he is and does. A blood or red oscar of course i own 2.
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xxdreadnautxx
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Re:setting up new tank - 2007/07/08 06:49 fi A blood or red oscar of course i own 2.
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tuliplady
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Re:setting up new tank - 2007/07/09 07:10 Don't be ridiculous!! I would never have just let him die! He lived for about five years then he got ick and although I treated it, he didn't make it. I am offended that someone would read so little into what I said as to assume that I would just allow him to die

I loved my oscar (tiger) and he was a great fish, I am just not willing to get another one because he took over the entire tank all by himself.
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lafter
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Re:setting up new tank - 2007/07/16 02:06 I have some red devil fry If you want some and some convics that range from 1 1/2" to about 3". I just got two tiger oscors today one is about 12" and te other is 9" for free from pet smart you can always check out a pet smart and ask if they have recieve any unwanted fish.
they can not sell any fish that is brought to them so you can adopt them.
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justin
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Re:setting up new tank - 2007/07/16 02:46 You might wanna post this in the Buy Sell Trade, it will get more exposure, and people can contact you directly
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