I am thinking of starting a planted tank, but don't want to give up my cichldis. In my research, most lush planted tanks keep tetra, live bearers, dwarf cichlids, discus or angels in low density. I keep mostly medium size African and American cichlids, none tank busters or big diggers. Are there successful planted tanks with these cichlid in moderate density. Show me your set up.
Show me planted cichlid tank idea
- Thread starter viejafish
- Start date
Well it is green, and they have not destroyed it "yet".
The top tank, growing mosses, and turf algae. Isolated with focused lights.
The bottom tank gets heavily grazed.
I really like that bottom picture. How did you make those dividers? A cut up garbage can?
Well it is green, and they have not destroyed it "yet".
The top tank, growing mosses, and turf algae. Isolated with focused lights.
The bottom tank gets heavily grazed.
I looked into this. It can be done. Stick to native plants from lakes/streams. They are free. I chose not to do it because I was not allowed to set up my 90, and was stuck with a 55, which I then felt was too small for cichlids. I don't feel that way anymore, but I am stuck with what I have, and really like my Praecox rainbows. I saw someone who had a turf algae/moss wall in his mbuna tank here:
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/the-hob-algae-moss-growing-wall-experiment.681073/
I think it is awesome and hope to copy it soon.
anubias types of plants. Their leaves are leathery and thick. Your yellow labidochromis should be okay with these group of plants.
My 75 gallon firemouth tank. The fry love to hide in the roots of the anubias.
Im sure folks are tired of seeing pics of my tank but it IS a good example that you can have a planted African set-up--mine just doesnt LOOK Tanganikan at all. Originally set up for CA (and the tank is obviously too small for those types). So here it is, growing in, now heavily planted. From Left to Right Ive gotten away with the following plants: Cryptocoryne Wendii variety, Anubias nana petite in front, Red Wendtii, large cryptocoryne in back, Java Fern tied to wood with thread, Anubias nana tied to rock, and the large jungle val in back corner. Also java moss growing off some driftwood. Stay away from stem plants with Africans mostly as that's what they can and will tear up the easiest. Because my stock is so small right now, i think that's why I haven't had any problems but cant say for sure. Light: Current Satellite Freshwater LED+v.1.0 which is great for both plants and the fish as you can dim the lights to various shades and even do night lighting. Order off line and it's much cheaper. The fish in this pic are just waking up so hard to see but its mostly Calvus and Juliodochomis marlieri. Hope you like.
Java fern and anubias would be the easiest right off the hop. Since you just tie them off to dritwood/rocks, they can't be dug up. They also have tougher leaves since they usually grow partially emersed in nature. They also do fine in lower lights.
In some tanks, plants grow above the surface and Anubius occasionally flower
