Just starting - 30 gallon tank

[dunkard_trapper]

This is my first aquarium, My main goal here is to have some cichlids spawn and raise some young. I'll Lay out the plan and yall let me know if theres any problems you see

Tanks all set up biowheel 200 and heater have been running since Wed. temp has been 77F since yesterday. Should I try to raise the temp or is this OK.
I was going to cycle with tiger barbs' planning on 6 or 8. Holding back on feed and watching ammonia levels, doing water changes when needed. When the ammonia is stable watch for the nitrite spike, doing water changes when needed. After its stable I'll release the hounds, so to speak and the tiger barbs peaceful time will vanish. Going to try and get some convict cichlids Not sure on how many I only want one pair but i've heard It's best to buy six or so and let them pair up on their own.

Will I have to get the barbs out of the tank or will they coexist without fatalities
Thanks in advance
Seth

[Lady Hobbs]

I'd suggest doing a fishless cycle. You get a very good bioload going when you go that way and can add many cichlids at once as cichlids should be added. (It's claimed it's best to add several at once to hold down aggression.)

No worry about fish loss and no water changes.

Watch the size of your cichlids and read up on them regarding their sizes.

[kufan]

Tanks all set up biowheel 200 and heater have been running since Wed. temp has been 77F since yesterday. Should I try to raise the temp or is this OK.

Depending on the cichlids, that may be a little cold. If you go convicts, they will spawn around 80-82.

I was going to cycle with tiger barbs' planning on 6 or 8. Holding back on feed and watching ammonia levels, doing water changes when needed. When the ammonia is stable watch for the nitrite spike, doing water changes when needed
I would do a fishless cycle. If you do use fish, go with zebra's, as they are the most hardy fish for cycling.

After its stable I'll release the hounds, so to speak and the tiger barbs peaceful time will vanish.

I don't know if your lfs will do it, but I would see if they will give you a store credit on the fish you return. In that case, if you do a fish cycle, get the zebra danio's, and take them back after the tank has cycled and get a credit for them, prolly won't be much, and buy your convicts.

Going to try and get some convict cichlids Not sure on how many I only want one pair but i've heard It's best to buy six or so and let them pair up on their own.

If there is a large selection, you can sometime see which ones have paired of. I know my lfs had enough, that I could tell which male/female has paired off.


Will I have to get the barbs out of the tank or will they coexist without fatalities
Thanks in advance
Seth

Depends on the size of your tank. If you have say a 55, there will be plenty of room for the barbs, but you will lose fry if you leave the barbs in there. It's quite possible you will lose the whole batch. Convicts become better parents the more fry they hatch.

Personally I would do a fishless cycle and find a good pair of convicts, and just do a tank for them.

KU