We keep a large variety of cichlids, mostly African, as they are more colorful and sell the fastest. We can also order in South Americans,           such as Jack dempseys, Oscars, Flowerhorns, etc. If you are interested in keeping cichlids there are a few things you will want to take into consideration such as tank size, and substrates. We recommend using a cichlid specific substrate. This will help buffer your water and lead to a happier healthy fish. You wil also need a large enough tank for the fish you intend to keep. Just because you see a tank full of two inch colorful African Cichlids does not mean they will always be that size. Plan accordingly to the estimated final size of your fish and provide an aquarium large enough for them to grow. Cichlids will also benefit from lots of rock in the aquarium. Use reef rock as it will continue to help buffer your tank water and help to maintain a proper pH for the fish.

Inverts

We have always enjoyed inverts such as snails in our aquariums, but recently you may have noticed an increasing presence of shrimp into the hobby. It began with the Ammano shrimp which several years ago made its way here from Japan where its use as a tank janitor was well established. It has lead the way for even more exotic shrimp such as the crystals, bamboos, cherries, blueberries, etc. Some of these shrimp demand high prices on the market and some are used for algae grazing while others are simply an ornamental resident much like a prized show guppy. We have raised our own line of cherry shrimp for years and occasionally have them available for sale at the shop. If you are thinking about getting into shrimps for your tank just remember shrimp are small and larger fish will eat your shrimp. You will also find that shrimp benefit from heavy planting. They lay eggs on the plants as well as graze on the fine algae's that grow on the plants. Some of the best plants to use for shrimp include, Java moss, star grass, java ferns. Some shrimp require higher pH than others and others such as the cherry shrimp are far more adaptable to various tank conditions.

Setting up your first tank

There are a few steps you need to take in setting up your first aquarium. First you need a tank, pick one that is within your budget and one that will be the proper size for the fish you are wanting to keep. There is a popular myth that the a fish will only grow to the size tank it is kept in. This is not the case and can lead to serious problems in the future. For example, remember the common pleco can grow to over a foot in about a year and a half. Fortunately Specialty Pets takes in trades on larger fish but we have our limits and some species we wont take.

After you decide what size tank you will require you will need to get an appropriate sized filtration system for your tank. This can range from Hang On the Back filters to sumps and canister filters. For the best results, choose a filter rated for at least two times the tanks volume. Small tanks with smaller fish tend to do fine with hang on back filters. Larger tanks with heavier stock loads will benifit from a much larger filter solution such as a canister filter or a sump. You will need a heater as well, check the box for ratings as each will vary. Never trust a used or damaged heater, always replace any heater that is not functioning properly. Never use a heater that is to small for your tank, the thermostat is likely to fail and stick on causing the tank to over heat and likely kill all of your livestock.

Once you have chosen your filter method it's time for substrate. For years the most common substrate used was colored gravel but today's hobbies can choose from many different substrates designed specifically for the live stock they wish to keep. Cichlids for example do better with a more calcium rich substrate, this helps to maintain proper Ph and minerals in the tank. Plants do best with a good quality plant material. We use and highly recommend Eco-Complete, this is the substrate we have used in our plant tanks for years. If you just want a tank with plain old gravel, that's still around as well. Today you can choose from nearly every shade of the rainbow. What ever you choose just make sure you choose enough for nitrifying bacteria to colonize as you enter the nitrogen cycle.

Cycling

Cycling is the process of a tanks biological filtration coming into balance. You won't be able to throw in a full animal load into a newly set up tank because there are no beneficial bacteria in the water yet to help break down any waste products from the animals. In order for a tank to cycle there must be bacteria present in the water. We can add this by introducing a bottled solution or we can add several fish which are more resistant to ammonia and bad water conditions, such as the common feeder gold fish. Once the cycle begins the tank will begin to have a milky appearance. This is a bloom of bacteria and once it colonizes and balances out the milky appearance will dissipate. It is important that you do absolutely nothing to hinder the tanks cycle. A cycle must occur and any water changes during the cycle will only delay it further. Cycle time varies depending on media used to introduce bacteria to the size of the tank, and depth and type of substrate used. DO NOT ADD ANY FISH other than your cycle gold fish until after the cycle has completed as the water's toxicity will likely stress out any new tank occupants potentially causing disease and death.

Be patient it takes time for the nitrogen cycle to balance out. When this occurs we say the tank is "cycled". We advise our customers to bring in a water sample weekly so we can tell when it is safe to add fish. We look for ammonia levels to increase at first followed by a rise in nitrite levels. When both ammonia and nitrite fall nitrates will begin to rise. This is when the first 25% water change should take place. After a cycle it is recommended to add your livestock slowly so as not to throw the tank out of balance. Maintain your tank by removing uneaten foods and waste by doing partial water changes at least once a month and you will have a happy healthy aquarium for years to come.