African Cichlid Tank Setup
So, you’ve caught the itch and want to set up an African cichlid tank and you have some questions on the equipment you will need to get started.
In this article, we’ll discuss the tank size, filtration, substrate and decor, and the type of aquarium lighting you will need to be successful in keeping African cichlids.
Overview of fish types
Lake Malawi cichlids are usually split into three groups, Mbuna, Peacocks and Haps (short for Haplochromis) and Predator Haps. The diet and tank setup requirements for Mbuna is quite different from the other two groups. While it is possible to mix fish from all three groups in the same tank, it is recommended to stick with fish from one of these groups.
Mbuna are rock-dwelling herbivores. They are a very colourful, active and territorial cichlid. Despite their smaller size, Mbuna are the more aggressive fish group and the tank should be overstocked to disperse the aggression. The minimum tank size required is 55 gallons and the tank should be set up with plenty of rock work. They should be fed a good quality veggie pellet.
Peacocks and Haps are larger sized fish than Mbuna. They are predominantly omnivores and require more protein in their diet. Whilst they do live among the rocks in the wild, they do not require the same rocky hardscape set up as Mbuna. The tank size required is 75 gallon and above.
Predator Haps as the name indicates are carnivores. They are mostly open water swimmers which don’t require much if any rockwork in the tank. The minimum tank size is 125 gallons but bigger is certainly better for these fish. Some types of predator haps can grow to 16 inches in length. They can be kept with peacocks and regular haps but care should be taken as any fish small enough to fit in their mouth will be considered a snack.
What size tank will you need?
Minimum tank sizes for Malawi cichlids:
- Mbuna – 55 gallons.
- Peacocks & Haps – 75 gallons.
- Predator Haps – 125 gallons.
Tank size is a very important factor when keeping African cichlids for many reasons. While a smaller tank may seem easier maintenance wise, a larger tank has many benefits. Going for a bigger aquarium initially will save you the cost and hassle of upgrading to a larger tank later on. Trust me, you’ll regret having purchased a 3 foot tank when a 4 foot tank could have fit in the same area of your home. I upgraded from 3ft, to 4ft, to 6ft all for a tank in the same spot of my home.
- A larger tank will determine the type and number of fish you are able to keep.
- In a bigger tank a fish can swim further away to escape the attention of a more aggressive fish.
- Increased water volume will help with water quality and fish growth rate.
Shell dwellers from Lake Tanganyika are a great option for those who want to keep African cichlids but don’t have space for a 55 gallon tank.
What type of filtration to use for an African cichlid tank?
Filtration is another key item when keeping Malawi cichlids. These fish eat a lot and produce a huge amount of waste. Many species also like to dig in the substrate. You’ll need to over filter your tank to manage the bio load and remove particles from the water. The water will never look clear if the filtration is not up to the job.
Here are some of the best filtration options for an African cichlid display tank:
Sump Filters
Sumps are a great option for large heavily stocked tanks. They hold a huge amount of biomedia and are very straightforward to maintain. It can be a bit intimidating initially to understand how the water flows, media arrangement and ways to avoid them flooding the room.
For more details on sumps, check out my article on how to arrange the media in a freshwater sump tank.
Canister Filters
Canisters are great for mechanical filtration, while at the same time holding a decent amount of biomedia. If having crystal clear water is a top priority then a large canister filter is the way to go. In a previous setup I used a Fluval FX5 on a 75 gallon tank and the water clarity was always amazing.
Hang On Back Filters
HOB filters are an option for smaller tanks. Two of them may be required to properly filter a 55 gallon tank. They are often used in combination with a sump or canister to provide additional filtration or as a backup.
What substrate to use for African cichlids?
There are a few options when it comes to substrate. Sand, gravel, aragonite, or even bare bottom. My preference is for aragonite sand but not the very fine sand type as I don’t want it blown around the tank and picked up by my filter. At the same time, the grains shouldn’t be large enough for it to trap the fish waste.
Sand Substrate
Sand is an excellent natural-looking choice for substrate. Many African cichlids will sift through the sand looking for food particles, which I find quite relaxing to watch. The only downside is that the sand particles can be quite light and may get sucked into your filter.
Gravel Substrate
Gravel is another option. Although not as visually appealing as sand, in my opinion, the fish will still show the sifting behavior. You don’t have to worry about gravel getting sucked up into the filter but it will need to be vacuumed occasionally to remove the fish waste.
I’m not a fan of artificially colored gravel but very much believe, your tank, your choice, whatever makes you happy.
Aragonite Substrate
Aragonite is my favorite choice of substrate for African cichlids. My preference for a display tank being Caribsea Special Grade Reef Sand or Caribsea Reef Sand (Fiji Pink). Both are natural-looking with a good size sand grain and the aragonite helps to buffer the water and maintain a proper pH for African cichlids.
What color background for African cichlids?
A black background is definitely the way to go in an African cichlid tank. Black background with a light color substrate will really show the color of the fish. It will also make the tank look deeper.
I have tried both white and blue backgrounds but they don’t look as appealing as they can wash out the color of the fish and any items such as filters or wavemakers look very obvious as compared with on a black background.
3D rock backgrounds can look amazing but since I haven’t used them before I can’t comment on their benefits and drawbacks.
Rocks and Decor
Rocks are the only decoration I use in my African cichlid tanks. The ones I use are natural but if you can find natural looking artificial rocks that’s even better, less weight in the tank and you don’t have to worry about them cracking the glass.
I allow some algae to build up on the rocks as it gives a nice natural look to the tank. However, I do have a pleco to keep the algae under control. You can check out my article on the best pleco for an African cichlid tank for more info on that.
Anubias are the only plants I have kept successfully with African cichlids. Other than that, you may want to consider fake plants.
Lighting for an African cichlid tank
I have tried many different types of florescent and LED lights over the years. The best light I have used so far is the Fluval AquaSky. It allows you the flexibility to adjust brightness and color spectrum and comes with a built-in timer. The ability to customize the brightness and color is something you should look for in your light set.
Conclusion:
Setting up an African cichlid display tank is not that difficult. Getting the right size tank for the type of cichlid you plan on keeping is important. A bigger tank is better.
Buying a filter for a tank size bigger than the one you have is a good thing. It will provide additional space for biomedia and the higher water turnover rate will improve water clarity.
African cichlids look great in a tank with rocks, a black background and light color substrate. The key feature of the tank will be the fish themselves.
Thanks for reading and if you found this article helpful don’t forget to share 🙂
