STEP by STEP | Setting Up Peacock & Hap AFRICAN CICHLID Tank

We'll go over EVERYTHING you need to know to start YOUR OWN African cichlid tank, including fish, tanks, equipment, parameters, decor, and how to buy your fish! This video has all the information you will need to successfully setup your all male peacock and hap tank. Even if you're just a fan of cichlid fish, you'll learn something from this video. Thank you for watching and be sure to leave a comment!
Cichlid Charmer is dedicated to sharing the joy of keeping African cichlids and American cichlids and sharing information about them. Much of my content is not cichlid fish specific, however. It also pertains to all tropical fish aquariums. I will share what I have learned about cichlids and other fish, and everyone is welcomed to comment with their own experiences and information about fish and aquarium practices in general.
Special thanks to Northfin and Ron's Cichlids for sponsoring this channel.
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My aquarium equipment:
BREEDER BOX: www.amazon.com/dp/B07THHY7YP?...
FILTERS: Fluval Fx6 a.co/d/aXJEx95, Fx4 a.co/d/e0V8DEx, and 407 a.co/d/5xAvD0S
WAVEMAKERS: Uniclife Aquarium 1058 GPH Adjustable Wave Maker a.co/d/22lHK38, Uniclife 3400 GPH Controllable Wavemaker with W-40 Controller a.co/d/8lMLgC7
HEATERS: EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 300W a.co/d/boZEKaJ
TEMP CONTROLLERS: Inkbird ITC308S Temperature Controller for Aquarium a.co/d/4r1rZWo, Inkbird Heating Thermostat Aquarium Reptile Submersible Probe Sensor ITC306T
WATER CHANGES: SICCE Ultra Zero 793 GPH - Water Pump a.co/d/aJGsjAl, 50ft x 1" ID Clear Vinyl Tubing, Flexible Hybrid PVC Tubing Hose
LIGHTS: Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 a.co/d/i1sbwy9
FOODS: Northfin Jumbo Formula a.co/d/cPy1Kq8, Northfin Fish Food 3 mm Sinking Pellets, 500 g , Cichlid Formula a.co/d/4dAHkvb , Northfin Veggie Formula 3mm a.co/d/5rGGIyi, Frozen krill, Garlic Guard a.co/d/dJpwWIA, VitaChem a.co/d/9kdjnrs
LUBE FOR FILTER GASKETS: Super Lube 93003 O-Ring Silicone Grease, Translucent White a.co/d/dwKwCR9
Check out this playlist:
• African Cichlid Genera...
#cichlidcharmer #aquariumhobby #aquarium

[@CichlidCharmer]

Have you recently set up a tank? Are you thinking of setting up a tank? What size and which fish? Let us know!

[@Mcgee18]

I’m getting a quarantine tank today🥳

[@Mcgee18]

I liked my own comment. I like the big tour of the tank. All in one video!.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks, Sam!

[@Mcgee18]

@@CichlidCharmer I buy my mbuna from Petsmart even though I had no problems from now on I will probably be ordering off of a good dealer online. someone like Ron. cichlids.

[@nateavis5686]

Ron's is great. I have ordered from him a bunch of times. Ron called me to answer some questions I had about picking the fish up from the airport. I really thought that was awesome. You should try his food. Highly recommend.

[@CichlidCharmer]

That is really great to hear - I’m super excited to get these guys. And many of them are larger than my 3” fish I usually get, so they should have some color almost immediately.

[@nateavis5686]

@@CichlidCharmer Can't wait to see a video when you have one ready.

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@nateavis5686 should be next Saturday🤞

[@philivey8262]

Great! channel and no one on youtube provides a more realistic view of the life of an African Cichlid owner and I appreciate what you do. After 3 years in the hobby and starting out with Discus, North & South American Cichlids and my current Boesemani tank, I've finally decided to ignore the right brain that says they are too aggressive and listen to the left brain and fall in love with the awesome colors. The Giraffe, Dolphin, and Red Fin Kadango (All Males) sealed the deal and I had to have them. I now have one of each along with 5 other 3 inch ticking time bombs spread across two 15 gal. QT tanks. I've noticed they love to swim in the outflow current so while my 200 Gal. eight foot tank is cycling, I've been looking into wave makers. I noticed you have 3 different sizes of the Uniclife wave makers listed on another post, but I only see the large on one end in the middle and the medium one on the other end slightly lower. Curious to know where you placed the smaller one and do you hear a ringing noise when its running like some of the Amazon reviews mentioned?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Awesome to hear, and thank you fore the endorsement! Those are some good fish you have. The large Wavemaker I have at the top intake side of the 240. It is turned all the way down, and it’s at the perfect flow for that tank. There is a Hydor (I think it’s an 800) on the low other side, but I would use the Unicode medium over there. I already had a Hydor. I like the adjustable features of the Uniclife. I have tinnitus, so I don’t hear the hum of the small one (it’s in the 180) but my daughter would have heard it by now and she hasn’t said anything. Thanks again!

[@pollylewis9611]

Again, you made a great video on setting up a new tank for my favorite psychopaths, we all know by now I just got my 40gal tall tank set up and going with German Blue Rams, and Balloon Electric Blue Rams with a few dither fish. This has been an adventure getting the right water or fish temperament or the stars and planets are lined up right, meaning I have lost several fish, but now I think I have it all going OK, there is some aggression with one of the male GBR's he's been in the" penalty" box which helps sometimes not always but it keeps me busy! Thank you again for all of the great info. and helping me get back into this land of the Crazies, Polly!

[@CichlidCharmer]

So some of those GBRs are doing well - that’s good news! Thanks for the nice comment, Polly - always good to see you here 🤗

[@drewandres2065]

Glad you’re back and didn’t give up on the Africans. Keep up the good work.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you, Drew! New fish here this Thursday. Some old faces but more new ones.

[@user-pd8rl2ny9y]

Glad to see the new vid…I am happy to see your going to keep Africans….

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you!

[@KoltonDrum]

You know I’m always here for the new uploads

[@CichlidCharmer]

And I’m so glad, Kolton 🥰 thank you for watching 🙏

[@stefanosahretis5075]

Nice video keep them coming mate 👍👍

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks, I sure will 🥰

[@cichlidman5598]

Another great video can't wait to see the new fish😁

[@CichlidCharmer]

Good to see you back here, cichlidman! I’m on pins and needles for the new boys 🤘

[@SquatchsCichlids]

Good to see you back at it!! Appreciate the shout as always! I’ll have to get you some updated footage soon!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks, Ryan. I’d love some new footage. I’ve seen your guys on fb, so I know they look even better now 🥰

[@MakoyUnggoy]

Good to see the rest of Alcatraz have recovered well, they are looking good again. You must be so excited for the new additions!

[@CichlidCharmer]

I am so happy for the ones that made it, and I’m on pins and needles for this Thursday when the new kids arrive! Thanks for watching. Good to see you here again 🥰

[@shoadowmewtwo702]

Cool video keep up the great work🎉

[@CichlidCharmer]

Appreciated! 🥰

[@brianhahn3296]

Great video, glad you’re back after the setback, thanks buddy

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks Brian 🥰 I’m not going anywhere. If anything more dedicated to my fish and these videos.

[@anthonypride1302]

Way to get back after it!!❤

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you, Anthony!

[@Itswiggs93]

I did a fishless cycle using Fritz ammonia, Seachem prime and stability. It cycled super fast, too fast. Checked parameters one day and went from 0 ammonia and nitrites with high nitrates and 2 days later everything was at 0 even nitrate. Put fish in and never had ammonia or nitrite spikes. It was really weird. Snakerivercichlids is where I bought mine, as well as local fish stores here and there. Needless to say my 90 gallon is overstocked and my wife and I are already talking about getting a bigger tank. Glad to see you back on the horse man. I saw how upset you were when all that happened. I really enjoy your videos.

[@CichlidCharmer]

That’s interesting about your cycling experience. I’ve only done a fishless cycle once, when I first learned how to do it. Then I immediately crashed it by adding too many inmates at once. Needing a bigger tank is one of the most exciting time in our lives - congratulations!!🎉

[@Itswiggs93]

@@CichlidCharmer yes, I have heard adding too many at once can make your cycle crash, however, when it comes to using prime and stability I theorized it should be used on day 1 of the tank set up with fish put in, let it go until ammonia starts to spike and then follow the first 7 day instructions. I feel maybe it’s a waste of product putting it in everyday when ammonia or nitrites haven’t even began to accumulate in the water. I was putting the product in even after the 7 days to neutralize the spikes and keep water safe for fish until the tank actually cycled. Just food for thought 💭 . Your tanks are beautiful though and love all the names of your fish.

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@Itswiggs93 oh definitely-if you are monitoring your ammonia like you should, dosing for ammonia when there is none is a waste and robs the water of oxygen unnecessarily. I will probably be crashing my cycle here in a few days when my new fish arrive. Did waaay more than the 5 or 6 fish you should add at once. Thank you!

[@jeremymoore450]

Glad to see the new videos and your back. I love that you showed us your mistakes and 😢you documented them so we can all learn together. I got some new fish coming some are Nano fish and community fish to finish off my 55 gal community planted tank. I love this channel and can’t wait to see what you got and what kind of checklist you have now and can’t wait to see the new fellas. BF had some great deals on live fish with some shipping discounts. That shipping kills me though. Uggh. What we do for our aquarium and aquatic friends.

[@CichlidCharmer]

First, thanks again for always watching AND for your positive, encouraging words. That’s so exciting about your new fish! After my Africans and South Americans, I didn’t think I would get excited for little guys anymore, but then the apistos were ordered… 🤩. My checklist is ghetto haha, nothing to write home about, but I think it’ll help keep me focused! The sipping was $79 for my new guys. Yikes.

[@ronmcdowell4794]

Love your tanks. I got my fish at tampa bay cichlids. They really look ridiculous in their 125 gallon tank , because I bought the package. All peacocks, unsexed. They are only about 1.5 inches long. About 25 and 2 small pleco. It's been 2 months already, and lost a fish. I can't wait to see them grow up.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you. A 125 is a good size and they will fill it up in a hurry as they grow. Be careful with your guys because it’s very unlikely that anyone can sex an African cichlid at that size. You might have some females in there which could start a riot as they get bigger. Happy fish keeping!

[@Aredubu]

Nice video! Any suggestions for sourcing the artificial rocks?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! I bought some from Aquadecor and I love them. Pricey though!

[@dean3874]

👌🏻

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thanks!

[@jamespalmer3716]

great update your fish look like they have recovered very well there back to being very happy again. looking forward to seeing the new guys when added 👍🏻 i will be adding a few more after xmas to my tank would love to add them now but best get xmas out the way 1st they are quite pricey in Uk and i need them to be around 5/6".. quick question... is it possible to add a few fish at around 2/3" to a tank with 5/6" fish (african cichlids) in or will they get bullied to much and possibly killed.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you! In regard to your question, my experience has always been that smaller fish do very well when added to aquariums with larger fish. As long as they are not so small that they are treat size. My Africans typically ignore smaller fish because they don’t see them as a threat, which works out quite nicely. You have to watch them of course.

[@BONP1E]

I appreciate your content, and your videos are on point. I called my tank Brodmoor after Alcatraz..... Uk version. Have you watched any content from Aquahaus Gaus?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Thank you - I love your tank name 🥰 I haven’t - they are pretty good? I’ll have to check them out!

[@BONP1E]

@@CichlidCharmer it's worth a look

[@WatsonsAquatics]

Should do this for the South Americans as well! Looking forward to seeing your new African stocking -Dakota

[@CichlidCharmer]

That's a great idea. I'd have to get some footage from my viewers though, since I have very limited stocking at the moment, Dakota. I'm really excited for the new boys to arrive this Thursday!

[@CichlidCharmer]

And thanks for the reminder!

[@WatsonsAquatics]

@@CichlidCharmer I’ll send you some of my stocking! On my shorts on my channel you can see my tank I just recently changed the scape and everything, looking great!

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@WatsonsAquatics I’ll take a look. It’ll be a bit before I can get to this idea for a video, but when I do and if I’d like to use your video, I will send you instructions on what I need. Thanks, Dakota!

[@WatsonsAquatics]

@@CichlidCharmer thankyou! Maybe leave a comment and let me know what you think of the new setup!!!

[@904ruckus3]

Do you connect both heaters to the ink bird? One to heating side? And one to cooling side? The. Just set both at 79?

[@CichlidCharmer]

So on this Inkbird I don’t use the cooling outlet. I bought a y-cable on Amazon to split the single heater outlet and then plugged both 300 watt heaters into that. Not sure if it’s safe to plug in more than 600 total watts

[@jsiemens79]

@CichlidCharmer where are the rocks from?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Aquadecor

[@cassiegrace10]

What types of peacocks and haps can I keep together?

[@CichlidCharmer]

There are so many options actually. Peacocks tend to be the more aggressive of the two in most cases. I have found that my haps get along better without those pesky, but beautiful, peacocks. You’ll just have to research each fish and then roll the dice, although there are some species that overall tends to be less aggressive, like the ngara flame tail and the blue neon.

[@EhlersMark123]

I'm looking at adding new substrate. What makes you choose lighter over darker. Thanks

[@CichlidCharmer]

Lighter colors will bring out colors in some fish, and dark substrate will bring out colors in other fish. However, I’ve seen gorgeous fish in both, so I went with what olive oil liked best.

[@EhlersMark123]

I have a 125 gallon and want to put in all male peacocks.

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@EhlersMark123 that sounds so good! I hate seeing them in smaller tanks. They’ll appreciate that 6-foot span.

[@Predator_Stan]

Could you please go over your settings for your lights?

[@CichlidCharmer]

I change them all the time based on what I feel like seeing, and the settings I use for video have the white light settings way up there. Usually something like red 20, cyan 2, white 10 and all else zero.

[@Predator_Stan]

Thanks for the help’

[@Predator_Stan]

!

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@Predator_Stan You bet!

[@SamJ-wy5ng]

Hi. I love your channel! I live in the UK and will soon be setting up a peacock and hap tank. The tank is 6 feet x 2 feet x 2 feet (165 US Gallons) and I am planning on running this using 2 FX 6s. Is this enough filtration and do you have any tips for where to place them? Thank you and keep up the good work. I know you have lots going on!

[@CichlidCharmer]

Hi Sam! Thank you for the kind words! So the filtration all depends on your bio load, but two Fx6s would sound just about right. Try it and if it looks like it isn’t enough, you can add more. I have three on my 240, and it is just fine, so two should do a good job on yours. I’d place both intakes on one end of the tank, and point the outputs away from the intakes to the other side of the tank. Get some wavemakers and put one at the top intake side, then the other lower third pointing back. The middle power option of the Uniclife would be a good choice (link in video description)

[@SamJ-wy5ng]

@@CichlidCharmer Thank you for the reply and the advice. It is hugely appreciated. I am looking at getting 25 cichlids for the aquarium. Does that sound about right? I everything I’ve watched on your channel and Prime Time Aquatics would say this is about right. Thank you again

[@CichlidCharmer]

You’re welcome! Yeah you could do 25. I’d keep them at about 6-8” no larger. No Malawi trouts lol. They should have a happy home. You obviously care a lot the that they are happy boys 😀

[@SamJ-wy5ng]

@@CichlidCharmer I was looking at haps that got no larger than 8 inches. As much as I’d love my own Venestus, I don’t want to keep them in a home that’s too small. They will definitely be happy. I’ve seen some of your boys and we don’t seem to have breeders of some of the rarer haps in the UK so I’ll have to stick with mainly peacocks and hope they’re not assholes like they can be 😂

[@CichlidCharmer]

There are some like the red fin borleyi, the red empress, and the Taiwan reef. Do they have those in the UK? Also you might look at some of the more peaceful Victorians. A purely Victorian tank might be cool.

[@dennispeleg7843]

Man, I found out quickly that a 75 gallon is great but these peacock and haps grow very quickly lmao. 125 gallon peacock and haps 75 gallon electric blue Texas cichlid 75 gallon Honduran red point cichlids/swordtails 40 gallon single firemouth cichlid 40 gallon rainbow cichlids 20 gallon long ram with neon tetra. Imperial tropicals, snake river, and jersey cichlids. 2 fx6 filters on 125 Fx2 75 gallon Tidal 110 75 gallon Tidal 75 and 55 firemouth 40 gallon Aquaclear 70 40 gallon Aquaclear 50 on 20 gallon

[@CichlidCharmer]

Man you have a lot of tanks! You need some more, though 😂 thanks for the setup info and where you get your fish.

[@dennispeleg7843]

@@CichlidCharmer lmao anytime my friend. Trust me there are going to be a lot more to come!

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@dennispeleg7843 😂

[@jasonrocc1873]

Can you please name the species at 4:45 at the top of the screen?

[@CichlidCharmer]

Sure thing - that’s Giordi, the Star Sapphire!

[@jasonrocc1873]

@@CichlidCharmerthanks for your response. I have one that looks just like it I picked up from a store in a “select haps and peacocks” tank. New subscriber.

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@jasonrocc1873 thanks for subscribing! If it’s a star sapphire, it will start getting white “chips” all over his body as he matures. Really pretty!

[@JBenitezReptiles]

Half of my peacocks are from Ron's.

[@CichlidCharmer]

Are they awesome?

[@JBenitezReptiles]

@@CichlidCharmer they are awesome!

[@CichlidCharmer]

@@JBenitezReptiles I haven’t heard anything to the contrary. They seem to have superior fish from what I have seen.