using cc/sand for cichlid tank?

[saltcreepette]

I have a potentially dumb question. I have some barely used (for two months) cc/sand about an inch deep in my 75, and I plan on turning it from saltwater into a cichlid tank. Can I just drain out the saltwater and add freshwater, reusing the substrate? is this going to cause any problems? The sand is not really live at all (besides bacteria)

Thanks. I'm a cichlid newb.

[emilbus]

why are you getting out of saltwater?

[Richard]

Yes, although it would be better if you rinsed it. Detritus accumulated in it might give you algae problems. Although pleco's are usually a simple solution to that problem.

cc/sand = crushed coral & sand right?

[saltcreepette]

ok I will siphon it clean then drain the water.

im not getting out, I am just getting smaller ;) (need to put less $ into the hobby)

yes I meant crushed coral and sand mixture. about half and half.

[saltcreepette]

plus Ive always wanted some yellow labs. any cichlid buffs around here?

[Cearley]

Ive kept em for about 5 years. If you ever have any questions feel free to shoot me a pm. Its the least I can do since you sold me a great tank. ;)

[saltcreepette]

yep I Know ;)

if anyone knows of some fairly compatible colorful tankmates for electric yellows, feel free to share. thanks!

[mathias]

if you have sand or small substrate when the fish get bigger they will move and spit it everywhere...

[blueboy]

there's a place in new braunfels called Armke's, they have an absolutely incredible variety of cichlids. unfortunately they also have absolutely the worst customer service i have ever seen. still if you don't bother them too much it is deffinately a good source for cichlids, and african catfish as well.

[Cearley]

armkes has actually fallen off in recent years with the owners unfortunately focusing more on their used car dealership...

[blueboy]

yeah, the focus is clearly not on customer sevice! i asked the price on some fish and was told that i should have printed out a price list from their website before i came in! unbelievable! i was recently in the market for a new(used) truck, i saw one that interested me i went to check it out, when i realized it was at armke's i just kept driving!

[i_love_pez]

if you know your cichlids, armkes is the place for you. ive had a rather good time every time i pay keegan a visit. i used to breed em locally here for a few stores.. mostly scianochromis fryeri (sp?) and german reds. i had several f0's and tons of f1's for a good while.

i only fed my fish new life spectrum supplimented with spirula algae.

if you have questions, PM me.

[saltcreepette]

i dont know my cichlids so i would probably be way too high maintenance customer for someone with bad customer service. i ask way too many questions and I dont like to be talked to like I am a dumb*** or a bother. Nor do I need to drive to New Braunfels to add to the bad shopping experience. I have some of the marine fx dianichi cichlid food (I am feeding to my african reedfish) and I have spirulina for my marine fish so got those bases covered. however been wanting to try the spectrum foods. Famous last words, but "I just want to have a few yellow labs, I don't plan on getting hot and heavy into the cichlids" (now watch, I will do just the opposite!) Will definitely keep your name handy to ask questions and check out cichlid-forum too, thanks!

[Ed]

Erin,

River City is a good local source (and a sponsor, too). I agree electric blues with the electric yellows is a good choice. I have both in the same tank with Flauvescent Peacocks, shell dwellers, Black Calvus, bristlenose catfish, giraffe cats, and a huge pleco. I feed Spectrum and Spirulina. LMK if you have any questions.

-Ed

[i_love_pez]

cichlid-forum is where i learned everything. be warned! yellow labs WILL breed.. and OFTEN! cichlids in general are just sex machines :lol

i swear my female elec blues were always holding. every week i was stripping at least 10-15 females (i had 10 x 75 gallon tanks and 15 x 10-20gallon holding tanks in my 1100 sqft apt when i moved here. it was a royal PITA to move all that crap from austin to SA. its fun if you have the space and time, however, i dont think i would do it on that large a scale again :)

i never used hormones on my fish either, and i swear by NLS for cichlids forever. i wish they had a NLS for saltwater fishies :P