Just thought I'd say Hi

[mr29g]

hey...
I used to have a 29g so called "reef". It was a bad tank and the people who I bought off of didn't help my situation, and both LFS closed in the past year. I switched my tank to Tropical and have been doing very well. I loved salt water, but I just didn't have the money or the equipment. Well anyways I was surfing through the neighborhood and I figured I'd ask you guys a question.

I know alot of you started out with Cichlids(pronouced Siklid... correct?)and I was thinking about moving up to them. But what is involved exactly? Are there any trusted websites for research? I get conflicting stories from person to person as of now.

I'm also looking for recommendations for a school for Marine Biolgoy. Somewhere in Florida would great becuase I have family there. Anybody recommend University of Miami or Florida Atlantic? It sucks that the Navy only has oceanography!

Thanks for any advice

 

[acidbaby1]

Florida Atlantic University and Nova Southeastern University have very nice fish farms. FAU's is in Boca, Nova's is in Davie. Two little fishies is based in the Miami area, and they write the best books on fish.

 

[danmhippo]

Yes, your pronounciation is correct. Cichlid vary from specie to species. Most prefer hard alkaline water (some south american ones actually don't need the hard water). Most are varocious eaters and constantly digging the gravel and making new piles everyday. Plants are impossible with them, just rock caves on sturdy foundation. If you can get your water hard enough, you can even use the existing protein skimmer, if you have one. Water must be changed regularly due to the quantity of waste they produce.

Most cichlids breed easily, some even in community settings. Most are mouth brooder. Many species of cichlid are so brightly colored that I once made a small tank to look like SW tanks.