soft water low pH cichlids for plant tank

"John B" <invigor.RemoveThis@sasktel.net> wrote in message
news:vuhoj6m44lqga4@corp.supernews.com...
> Hey..I haven't studied much of the south/central american cichlids. I've
> recently set up a 48gallon planted tank. So far there are only about 10
> zebra danios in there. What cichlids would be compatible with the live
> plants? If any? I have had someone offer me 2 medium green sevrums for it..
> Are they plant safe or am I kicking myself by putting live plants in with
> cichlids all together?
>
> TIA
> John
>
>

You'll find that Central American cichlids prefer a tank with hard water and
a higher pH. Concentrate on the South Americans or even the African Riverine
species. The types available to you depend a lot on what you're looking to keep.
A pair of severums would be ok in that tank, but mine have a habit of picking at
plants occasionally. After a while, they do quite a number on them. Many of the
smaller cichlids would do well. Laetacara curviceps or (flag cichlids),
Microgeophagus ramirezi (blue rams already suggested), Pelvicachromis pulcher
(Kribs) all would do well in such a tank. You could look at species a bit larger
like Hemichromis guttatus (Jewel fish) and go with just the pair and some
different types of dither fish. In that size tank, you may get away with a pair
of Jewel fish and a pair of Kribensis, but I'm not certain. You could mix and
match the smaller species, pair of Flag Cichlids, pair of Rams and a pair of
Keyhole cichlids. That with some colorful dither fish would make a real nice
tank.
Amateur
 >> Stay informed about: soft water low pH cichlids for plant tank 

When doing a water change this morning, some tank water splashed in my
mouth. Yuck !

In the words of the great Socrates; " I drank what ? "

Keith J.

"Suzmyers" <suzmyers.DeleteThis@aol.com.345627G> wrote in message
news:20031223222214.15398.00001667@mb-m04.aol.com...
<snip>

> Sue
> "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing" - Socrates
 >> Stay informed about: soft water low pH cichlids for plant tank 

> When doing a water change this morning, some tank
> water splashed in my mouth. Yuck !
>
> In the words of the great Socrates; " I drank what ? "
>
> Keith J.

Make sure you take the antidote as quickly as possible.

Two ounces of Nova Aqua Water Conditioner!

-Frank
 >> Stay informed about: soft water low pH cichlids for plant tank 

"John B" <invigor.TakeThisOut@sasktel.net> wrote in
news:vuhoj6m44lqga4@corp.supernews.com:

> Hey..I haven't studied much of the south/central american
> cichlids. I've recently set up a 48gallon planted tank. So far
> there are only about 10 zebra danios in there. What cichlids
> would be compatible with the live plants? If any? I have had
> someone offer me 2 medium green sevrums for it.. Are they plant
> safe or am I kicking myself by putting live plants in with
> cichlids all together?
>
> TIA
> John
>
>

Just to elaborate on what amateur has already said, Severums are a
definite no-no for a planted tank. Big Severums will quickly consume
about any plant you put in there. Mine devour large lettuce leaves
in a matter of minutes.

Meph
 >> Stay informed about: soft water low pH cichlids for plant tank 

"Frank S" <Frank RemoveThis @REMOVEALLCAPSitcreek.com> wrote in message
news:t56dnaMOkpuPVXGiRVn-vw@giganews.com...
> > When doing a water change this morning, some tank
> > water splashed in my mouth. Yuck !
> >
> > In the words of the great Socrates; " I drank what ? "
> >
> > Keith J.
>
> Make sure you take the antidote as quickly as possible.
>
> Two ounces of Nova Aqua Water Conditioner!
>
> -Frank

I have well water, so chlorine / chloramine isn't a problem. But I do need
some antibiotics and a breath mint . 8-)

Keith J.
 >> Stay informed about: soft water low pH cichlids for plant tank