Another Noob???

[JasonC]

Hi All,

I’m a new member here… joined via the ACA convention, but have been lurking on this board for a bit now. I have only been seriously in the hobby for about 2 years now. I am primarily interested in Apistos, and am currently raising a batch of juvie A. Baenschi that I was fortunate to find at ACA. I am curious as to what else is out there in regards to other regions/types of fish, but will most likely want to stay with dwarf species, as sneaking another 20 gal tank past the wife seems much more feasible than a 55+Gallon (And by that I mean that I will most likely be living with said 55+gal “in a van, down by the river!”)

I’ll definitely be trying to make it down to meetings as much as possible (especially since they are much closer to me now), but unfortunately, work loves surprising me with weekend shifts at the last minute. *Fingers crossed* the Sept. meeting looks doable at this point.

Anyhoo, had a blast at ACA, and am looking forward to continuing to learn more w/ you all!


Jason

[jonclark96]

Welcome to the CCA. Hope to see you at the meeting.

[Tony]

Welcome to the forum, Jason. Glad you decided to start posting and hope to see you at a meeting... always a good time.

For just about every type of cichlid there is out there, there is someone in our club that is passionate about them. If you're looking for something specific, just ask. :)

[verbal]

Hi All,

I’m a new member here… joined via the ACA convention, but have been lurking on this board for a bit now. I have only been seriously in the hobby for about 2 years now. I am primarily interested in Apistos, and am currently raising a batch of juvie A. Baenschi that I was fortunate to find at ACA. I am curious as to what else is out there in regards to other regions/types of fish, but will most likely want to stay with dwarf species, as sneaking another 20 gal tank past the wife seems much more feasible than a 55+Gallon (And by that I mean that I will most likely be living with said 55+gal “in a van, down by the river!”)

I’ll definitely be trying to make it down to meetings as much as possible (especially since they are much closer to me now), but unfortunately, work loves surprising me with weekend shifts at the last minute. *Fingers crossed* the Sept. meeting looks doable at this point.

Anyhoo, had a blast at ACA, and am looking forward to continuing to learn more w/ you all!


Jason

Welcome to CCA. Tanganyikan shell dwellers are a relatively common dwarf cichlid group. A pair of the smaller julies might work in a 20.

Some underrated dwarfs IMO are the West Africans. Kribs are pretty common, but there are other options like other fish in the Pelvichromis genus and Anomalochromis thomasi.

[UNCLERUCKUS]

WELCOME TO CCA!!!

[Reel Addiction]

Welcome to the club! Glad you had a good time at ACA and hope to see you in Sept at the meeting.

[mscichlid]

Welcome tp CCA! I'm really glad that you are into apistos!

[JasonC]

Tanganyikan shell dwellers are a relatively common dwarf cichlid group. A pair of the smaller julies might work in a 20.


I was looking at a shellie tank pretty closely when trying to decide what I wanted to do... the water needs scared me away... right to the apistos which I didnt realize needed an even more difficult water situation to thrive ;P

I'm thinking about tearing down one of my tanks to re-focus it... shellies are definitely tempting me again.

I'm really glad that you are into apistos!

I have heard that there are not very many people in the club who like Apistos? Hopefully just a rumour?

[hollyfish2000]

I love the visual of tiptoing into the house with a 20-gallon tank hidden under a sheet while distracting said wife with "hey look over there"!;)

[mchambers]

It can work; I've done it! While she's looking the other way, slip quickly into the basement. She'll never know.

[JasonC]

That is what outside basement entrances are for... right??

[mab]

That is what outside basement entrances are for... right??

RIGHT!!!

[dogofwar]

Until my wife put an alarm on the sliding door to the walkout...:eek:

Matt

That is what outside basement entrances are for... right??

[Tony]

Jason - Shellies (and most Africans for that matter) aren't super picky when it comes to water conditions. Yes, hard and high pH may get them to spawn faster, but is generally considered non-essential for all but some of the most sensitive Tangs.

Most folks (myself included) buffer the water in rift lake tanks by mixing crushed coral into the substrate or by throwing in some limestone rock (Texas holey rock, ext).

Another alternative is to add baking soda, but again, really not essential to keeping these fish happy. I only do this on one of my 25 or so African tanks - and that's because there is no crushed coral in the tank and the inhabitants are some of the more difficult to keep guys (Tanganyikan feather fins and sand sifters).