Still My Dream Aquarium? | The 180 Gallon South American Cichlid Tank

This video is a two year update on the 180 gallon South American cichlid tank. There has been a lot of growth and some changes to this cichlid tank over the last year, and I walkthrough the aquascape, filtration, the stocking, and the tank itself.
- Original Setup: • 180 Gallon Acrylic Aqu...
- One Year Update: • The 180 Gallon South A...
If you're interested in any of the products used in this aquarium, feel free to check out the affiliate links below.
Equipment/Scape
- FX6: amzn.to/33hM0pW
- Fluval Aquasky Light: amzn.to/3BkgY5z
- Carib Sea Sand Substrate: amzn.to/37p2Kzf
- Shower Scrubber: amzn.to/3PI2H77
- Sicce Ultra Zero Pump: amzn.to/3PO5ko4
- Sicce Wavemaker: amzn.to/3BoWbOq
- Sicce Whale Canister: amzn.to/3OF9fC3
Food
- Xtreme Krill Flakes - geni.us/iTAWsN
- Xtreme Big Fella Pellets - geni.us/9Cra
- Xtreme PeeWee Pellets - geni.us/6ADcc
Chemicals/Media
- Seachem Prime: geni.us/iys7T
- Fritz Glass/Acrylic Cleaner: geni.us/uvmwK8
Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next week!

[@jasono4735]

I love this tank so much and personally have taken so much inspiration from it. I am thrilled having many of the same fish as you and am so glad you introduced me to the world of South American cichlids.

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome! Love to hear it

[@joeyhacker7518]

One of the best looking tanks and amazing collection of fish 🐟 🐠✨👏🐐‼️

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, Joey!

[@aquarium.talktv]

This tank is incredible. I’m glad everything’s going so well.. 🤛

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks man! Appreciate it!

[@jay-gx9uy]

I love your tank. I'm almost done stocking my 210. I have 2 red spotted severums, 1 red shoulder, a gold saum, 4 geophagus surinamensis, a synodontis, 5 clown loaches and will eventually put in. 2 oscars to finish it off

[@CichlidBros]

Sounds like a great setup!

[@eues803]

Very nice video, in this hobby it's very important that we have a aquarium that we really like or love, yr aquarium is very cool to see everything that you have in it. 👍👍

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, and agreed!

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

Awesome watching the growth the past couple of years! Love the 180. I have a couple 125 acrylic tanks but my 180 is glass. Love the SAs! Still have my Geos, and Pacu, and Sevs. Thanks 🙏🏼

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks Bob! Appreciate it 👍🏻

[@wahyuprasongko411]

Finally can found you to get some updates the american cichlids, so awesome to see two side by side beautiful cichlids tank.. Love it

[@jr.najera826]

By the way I got into geophagus cause of you! Best 180 gallon on KZbin hands down 🤙🏻 look forward to updates as they grow!

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@joshwash9977]

Facts great tank to look at

[@bharatnaidu4785]

We can feel the emotion in you when you talk about your tank !!! I got into the hobby after almost 8 years and you bros were the major driver behind it. I have a 130 G Tank with 2 pairs of Clown loaches, a pair of Firemouth a pair of severums, 2 pairs of Mono Sabae Angelfish and a shovelnose and a very mean Parrot !

[@CichlidBros]

That’s awesome, love to hear it!!

[@chrisbraiske3162]

Great video per usual

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks again!

[@krzysztofkopaczewski4319]

Really pleasure of watching👍👍👍

[@CichlidBros]

Glad you liked it!

[@rikscichlidaddiction25]

Can wait to start my own Central and southern cichlids. I just received my first three today.

[@TrevorTangen]

Great video as always. Your 180 gallon tank is my personal favorite tank on KZbin because it’s filled with fish I’m very interested in. The severum, electric blue acara, geo red head tapajo, and Bala shark are all bucket list fish that I hope to keep someday.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! 👊🏻👊🏻

[@Skysmeller1]

This was a great overview that tank is pretty awesome. I have a planted 110g 60” tank with a 6” Red Spotted Severum, a 4” Blue Acara , 3 angelfish that I want to change. Plan is to take out Angels and the plants for a Turquoise Severum , Red Shoulder and One Albino Oscar. I have similar filtration to you with 2 Canisters. I think it’ll be a nice change to go for big fish.

[@Hugh_Jainus]

Been waiting for this, thanks for the upload. This tank was an inspiration to do my own acrylic SA cichlid setup

[@CichlidBros]

Love to hear it! Best of luck with yours 👊🏻👊🏻

[@cichlid_kings]

Awesome tank & stock man. You have been an inspiration for sure. Keep up the great work 😎

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you so much 👍

[@shawtyshort2648]

You should be very proud of this tank, lovely indeed! 👍🏻

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@snoopdogg734]

Great video, you do an awesome job of explaining everything. What a beautiful tank and fish, thank you for sharing, appreciate it.

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching!

[@ricardoayala4969]

Great Update Troy! I appreciated the longer outro, lol plenty of time to make sure I hit like as I watch on my TV. Sorry to hear about your True Parrot Cichlid.

[@CichlidBros]

Appreciate it as always 👍🏻👍🏻

[@triciaperinger2675]

I really like that you’re keeping these two pairs in your “community” tank. I am interested in how these pairs continue on in this tank.

[@BenOchart]

Great update and the fish look amazing. Thanks!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks, Ben! Hope all is well

[@akvarist1849]

Thank you bro perfect video perfect tank👍

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@kashifkashu7899]

Couldn't comment from some time since I was bsy traveling because of work...Thanks update on my Fav tank crystal clear as always...😍 Of all the tanks my top 3 are... 1)180 gallon chiclid tank. 2)Malawi Hawk predator tank 3)110 gallon "Joker"green terror tank. 😁🥳

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for watching/commenting!

[@philivey8262]

Just seen it in the description and my bad. I will order one today. Thanks for the video

[@FulcrumGhost]

I love this tank and your video.

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@myfishgarage]

Great tank! Well done, fellas!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, appreciate it! 👊🏻👊🏻

[@sheilabruin-blake9507]

I love the 120 gallon also 💜

[@seansquill8773]

As always….Great Video Troy🙌🏼 Thanks a lot for making me really miss my SA Geo & Sev crew tho😢lol Tank looks really amazing👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks, Sean! Gonna miss your tank setup too lol. Looking forward to seeing what’s next

[@seansquill8773]

@@CichlidBros Working on it brother, these discus are 💰💰💰🥳🥳

[@lawdawg_7983]

Awesome tank

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@jodysees19]

Great tank! Thank you for sharing!. I am thinking of getting a bigger tank with some Cichlids.

[@JUSTinTx254]

Beautiful man, I am trying to find a reasonable deal on a 6ft tank at the moment. Wifey finally folded and said let’s get a bigger one! 😳 hopefully she was talking about the tank.

[@elvinsworld11]

Lovely

[@lisamcgill664]

Looks great...

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@cyndifalk]

Really enjoyed this update! I know the scratches on the acrylic might drive you crazy, but I have a 90 g Glass tank and even though I've been super careful about not catching the substrate in my scrubber, I still have scratches. It has been suggested that perhaps they were there from the factory- Of course I have no way of knowing. I think of it as a character building experience.

[@CichlidBros]

Very true! Thanks for watching 🤙🏼

[@FIUPanther305]

Very nice tanks

[@CichlidBros]

thanks!

[@ruthwalker5179]

I love this tank too. I am setting up a 125 gallon and will use it as an inspiration! I like that you have some fish in a group (geophagus) and some species as solos. I’m not planning to get an Oscar though I can see he has a great personality.

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@ericmontoya3447]

See ya in the next one....

[@seanaustin8516]

Super dope video brother ❤❤❤⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏆🔥💥👊✌️👑

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@seanaustin8516]

@@CichlidBros always brother ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆👑👑👑👑🔥🔥🔥

[@olenakasseeah5105]

Beautiful massive tiger Oscar! Keep it up @Chlid bros

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you!

[@girishg6449]

Nice review 👌 I like glass tanks too

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks!

[@tjautocross]

Great update on this tank!! The fish and scape are such a great overall setup. Could you do something similar on your shellie tank? Thanks Troy!!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! That's a great idea!

[@aquablaster86]

You purchased that tank just in time! The price of everything has skyrocketed, to include acrylic aquariums.

[@bayou504ctcL9]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Beautiful cichlids n setup Oscar my favorite I think he/she deserves a mate

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! I’ve thought about it 👌🏻

[@FreeSwimmer]

Sorry to hear about Parrot. I have 2 and love them. Ive been running a 1000g DIY Plywood maintank for over 4 years. Im going through a huge undertaking , by downsizing to a 450g DIY Plywood build. Im going to do a bit of new stocking. I also keep Southies and enjoyed your stock and descriptions !

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@mikebarra6828]

I thought True Parrots were aggressive? Think they would word with Firemouths, Acara, Flagtail Protulotus ?

[@FreeSwimmer]

@@mikebarra6828 I have my 2 Parrots with Acara and Geos and a couple Angels.. Theyre fine with them.. I dont know when they are totally grown though ?

[@MissChelle]

Wow. Your geos are beautiful. No, sorry, they are all beautiful. Great fishy dad 🇦🇺❤️

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you, appreciate it!

[@donnasheriff3187]

Your tank is amazing!! I also love the variety of the fish. My question for you is where do you find and buy your fish? We can’t find any specific cichlids locally in our area. Thanks for your awesome video!!

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! I picked up a few at local fish stores but most online. Imperial Tropicals and Aquabid for most

[@brandonm505]

Nice tank I just got a 180 and can't wait The Geos are mouth brooders so not sure if you need to get fry but if you're looking check their mouths, you'll notice them not eating if fry in there

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! Yep, they had the eggs/maybe fry in their mouths for a few days but then they we gone

[@jasonsingh5293]

Awesome 180 Gallon tank loving the setup with the tank and the beautiful fish i wish i had the room for a tank that size keep bringing the amazing setup on all your always love to to you video quick question about a drift wood is it true that you have to boiled your driftwood before putting into the tank please if you can help me thanks

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! Boiling may reduce the tannins, but definitely isn’t required. I usually soak the wood so that it doesn’t float. Some tannins in the water for the first few months won’t hurt the fish 🤙🏼

[@FishDaddy3]

I bought a Clarity Plus 180 acrylic tank and wondered how to get the tough algae off. I'm going to try this scrubber you recommended.

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome. Best of luck!

[@juliaheinritz3264]

Your tank is absolutely beautiful. One of your best videos yet. Wondering what you fed your Geophagus when they are only 1& 1/2" long? I've had my little one for just over two weeks now. A week after arriving along with a little L333 pleco the Geo came down with Ich:( I have never dealt with Ich before so it's a learning experience. I have found Prime Time Aquatics videos very helpful. I just want to give this baby the best nutrition. I don't have a set up for hatching baby brine shrimp but purchased some Ocean Nutrition Instant baby brine shrimp which is gobbled up. Again, beautiful fish. You and your brothers are wonderful at sharing your passion for this hobby:)

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks so much! Appreciate that! Sorry to hear about the geo. That good will work well. I just gave mine flakes and smaller pellets and they always seemed to like them. Xtreme foods is my go-to

[@juliaheinritz3264]

@@CichlidBros Thanks for getting back to me. I will order some of the krill flakes you mentioned. He doesn't seem to like the tiny cichlid pellets I bought but will eat the regular community Bug Bite flakes. I will keep up the medication (Ich X), water changes, and a few little prayers:)

[@terracegardening786]

Beautifull tank👏Appreciations for your efforts👍 Btw which sand did you use

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! It's Carib Sea Sand Substrate: amzn.to/37p2Kzf

[@johnjr47]

Awesome tank do you ever worry about sands getting stuck in your canister propeller

[@dhammaboy1203]

It’s still looks amazing Troy! I love the Bala and Chocolate cichlid the most! I’ve been inspired by your tank to set up a 180g myself once our new house is built next year! How many fish do you have in their now all up? Also with your water change pump - could I use those with my juvenile South Americans or will they get sucked up being smaller fish? I’m going to have to give up buckets when I move form my 90g to the 180g!😨💪🏻

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! The pump usually won’t suck up small fish. It’ll be better than just using the python ending. I think I have 17 fish in there total

[@dhammaboy1203]

@@CichlidBros thanks for your advice Cichild bros! Keep buying more fish tanks so I can vicariously enjoy!

[@Ron12879]

Nice set up what substrate are you using if you don’t mind me asking. Got it you mentioned it at the end of the video.

[@jr.najera826]

Hey bro I recently had the same problem with my fx6! I contacted fluval all I had to do was send them a pic of my online receipt and a video of it thumping. they sent a new one free of charge! Hope this helps if possible. I believe it has a 3 year warranty

[@R1Brooklyn]

Beautiful tank, can’t wait to get mines. How many fishes you have in it?

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! I believe there are 17 in there

[@jerrykiner5887]

Love you videos, got a question for ya. Do you add and cichlid salt or equilibrium to your cichlid tanks?

[@AdamJohnson-fs5nb]

I love this tank two questions if I may What do you use for the dark background And do you sell merchandise I really want a T-shirt thanks for the great channel

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for following along! Much appreciated! On this tank, I ordered the tank with black background already applied. On other tanks, I would just get a paper black background from local stores. Just refreshed our merch, and you can find that here! cichlid-bros.creator-spring.com/listing/cichlid-bros-merch

[@constrictorchris]

Beautiful tank! Where do you get your decor from?

[@luigigreen9823]

Hey Cichlid bro, I'm a new subscriber and love your content! Quick question do you recommend Fish Tanks direct or custom aquariums? I will be purchasing in the next few months and I'm doing research

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks for following and welcome! We’d probably recommend custom aquariums since the glass quality is top notch and the lifetime warranty is really nice. If you want to do acrylic, fishtanksdirect worked well for me

[@luigigreen9823]

@CichlidBros thanks for the response brother. You're the only channel who did a true deliver and unboxing for both. Can you make a VS video of glass and acrylic. I'm torn. I like the pros of both. Only thing that freaks me out about the glass is the weight lol and the seams

[@CichlidBros]

@luigigreen9823 here you go! Glass or Acrylic Aquarium | Which is Best for You? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4G1emd5f8yHkMk

[@philivey8262]

Nice aquarium and video. I have question regarding the shower cleaner used to clean your acrylic. I currently have a 4 foot acrylic tank and no matter how careful I thought I was, I scratched it. I just ordered an 8 foot 200G acrylic upgrade and I'm determined not to scratch it. Where did you get the shower cleaner and how did you know it wouldn't scratch? Thanks in advance

[@alexsandermartensson6716]

Very Nice, you inspired me to set up my own american cichlid tank. With similar stocking. How often do you clean the canister filter? You think waiting 6 months is too long?

[@CichlidBros]

Awesome to hear! I usually try for every 4-5 months but will admit I slack off sometimes

[@blakemcclurkin4842]

Do you prefer sand or gravel for an Oscar tank or a mixture? Also what level of power did you have your wave makers on?

[@brianmizway9324]

I'm thinking of getting a 180g and if I do I might just try 3 hobs on it.

[@ariesmusicangel]

The drift wood, did you find it locally? Im having a hardntime find something like you have locally and on Amazon. Thank you!

[@jefff4926]

Great video. Where did you get those plastic plants?

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! They were bought online but the shop closed last year

[@jrawles87]

@Cichlid Bros, I have tanks upstairs because that's where I spend most of my time. Plus our basement is unfinished. But I have a smaller sitting room that I'm looking to put a 65 gallon acrylic in. I have a couple 55 gallon Aqueon tanks but their 65 gallon has a bad reputation of leaking and I don't trust Marineland. Hence the reason for me having an acrylic customized. That glass is cheaper but having them on the second floor gives me a little peace of mind of the acrylic not leaking. I'm looking to put all Mbunas in the 65 gallon and later on I want a 75 gallon and that's where I'll do the peacocks. What is your opinion between the glass and the acrylic?

[@cls52766]

What kind of aquarium heater do you recommend?

[@rafaelboechat1081]

Great video!! Do you think I could keep an Oscar and a couple of those fish in a 100g?

[@CichlidBros]

Yep

[@usmc72409]

Can you tell me what brand or kind of sand you use for your south american cichlids. Everything is always about african cichlids when i am searching online. I love your south american tanks and know you will have the right answer. I want my fish to be happy as i am about to set up my first 75 gallon tank and i greatly value setting this up correctly.

[@Cichlidandmore876]

💯👍🔥

[@tluangahnamte380]

What plant do you put please?

[@dexterkoeman6050]

Sorry, but I can't help it...you have some really beautiful fishes "hidden" in other tanks that deserved much more spotlight (I mean attention, more videos of them for us). I'm talking about the Gymnogeophagus Terrapurpura. They are relly, really beautiful fish, but you don't show them as much as they deserve. 🙂

[@d33p.]

Amazing! That plants are natural?

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! Plants are artificial

[@Krueger1050]

Is this Clear for Life's stand? Is it 30" or 36" ?? After a couple of year has your CFL 180 experienced any bowing?

[@CichlidBros]

Yep. 30in stand here. No issues with the tank

[@PULAG]

Drop all kinds of Anchorman clips for funnies but how you miss opportunity to use Old School "You're my boy, blue! You're my boy..." from Will Farrell? Lol

[@raggeragge5801]

Hey! I have a tank with almost the same fish in. 3 Tapajos, 1 surinamensis, 1EBA, 1 balzanii, 1 jurupari and 1 Oscar. The Oscar is the smallest fish in the tank but has recently become quite aggressive towards the other fish after growing a bit. How do you control the aggression of an small Oscar? Is there something you can do or is it just the way it is or will it calm down when growing a bit?

[@raggeragge5801]

The Oscar is around 2 inches at the moment

[@AJFigueroaa]

Where do you get those fake plants. I love the entire setup!

[@CichlidBros]

Thanks! The online store (elite cichlids) closed down unfortunately

[@Gud2B_Blessed]

HI 👋 LOVE 💘 your tank. Where did you purchase the plants?

[@CichlidBros]

Thank you! I got these from Elite Cichlids, which unfortunately closed shop about a year ago

[@Gud2B_Blessed]

@@CichlidBros oh NO😪well I will just keep admiring yours sweetie🔥🔥🔥🐟🐟🐟❤❤beautiful tank!!

[@sheilabruin-blake9507]

Would you recommend a wave maker for a twenty gallon tank?

[@CichlidBros]

Yep, maybe the Sicce voyager nano

[@eccentricsmithy2746]

I would love acrylic but scratches every time you clean and maintain it. Weight isnt an issue if you got enough friends. Glass all week long.

[@siunami6432]

I get it though, the angle him and his brothers had to take, it looked like there were 2 fitting moments

[@mikebarra6828]

Is the shower scrubber safe ? Seems pretty abrasive. So concerned about scratching my upcoming 240 gal SA Cichlid tank. Can't under any circumstances use anything that might scratch.

[@CichlidBros]

It's worked really well for me without scratching at all

[@bridgettehopkins1263]

How can you tell the difference between convict cichlids male or female . Love your fish and that tank so tranquil looking. Beautiful fish.

[@CichlidBros]

Female convicts will have a pink/orange color on abdomen. And thanks for watching!

[@bridgettehopkins1263]

@@CichlidBros thanks for replying back will he be the bigger of the two,how earlier do they mate mines are a year old

[@FreshWaterFins1212]

Do you always run chemi-pure or do you remove for awhile?

[@CichlidBros]

I usually change it out every 5-6 months

[@FreshWaterFins1212]

@@CichlidBros Thank you, wasn’t sure if I should remove from the filter every few months and run without it

[@mattheworeilly8813]

Would you say this tank is fully stocked? Anything you’d like to add?

[@CichlidBros]

Probably fully stocked. Some of the fish have a bit more to grow

[@rocd9212]

Where did you get your aquarium decor?

[@CichlidBros]

Mix of amazon and my local fish store. The plants were from Elite cichlids which shut down shop

[@sangamp6292]

How much is electric ⚡ consumption for each tank?

[@arminkrahbar]

what sand do you have in your american cichlid tank?

[@CichlidBros]

Carib Sea Sand Substrate: amzn.to/37p2Kzf

[@nicholaschow2328]

How much you paid for the 180 gallon acrylic tank?

[@CichlidBros]

About $2.6k for tank and stand

[@daveholland4889]

I have a 75 gallon tank. Would it be ok the have these fish in a 75 gallon?

[@CichlidBros]

A few of them could work, but would need to be much less in total, and likely shouldn't do the Oscar or Chocolate cichlid

[@masonsia1884]

Noice

[@gabrielramirez4908]

I tried the same sand u got and no matter what I tired it always ended up in my filter and tearing up the impeller

[@CichlidBros]

I tried to keep the intakes higher than usual. Seemed to help

[@QuIcKeNdZ]

you need a 60 cube in the corner between the two tanks

[@CichlidBros]

Thought about it

[@QuIcKeNdZ]

@@CichlidBros do or do not there is no try

[@pritambhattacharya8705]

Bro how many oscar can I keep (permanent) in 4*1*1.5 (L*W*H) feet tank which is made by 6mm glass??? Love from India.

[@CichlidBros]

Hi there. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend any Oscars long term in a tank that size. I usually recommend the minimum being a 75 gallon for one Oscar, but bigger than that is often best. Thanks for watching!

[@mikesmith-wk7vy]

i dont know what sicce was thinking making possibly the best overall canister on the market then giving it something like 300gph flow, WTF thats not even enough for a 40gal hardly if you want 10 times per hour polishing like many do . for that price or hell even make a more $$$ one at least give us a 500gph or 700 for bigger tanks

[@MargieB51]

Your 180 is absolutely gorgeous I’ll go with South America Cichlids any day of the week rather than Africans has nothing to do with cost everything to do with personality.Truly have to look at the shape of the fish not just the color.I found that Africans just seem seem to swim back-and-forth.Don’t seem to display much natural Behavior which I truly enjoy

[@invaderjoshua6280]

Don’t understand water changes. Doesn’t that just mean you don’t have enough bio media? Nitrates arnt dangerous and if ammonia isn’t rising then why take the chance of harming fish with chlorine? My fish breed in water that has maxed out nitrates on every test I’ve tried. What I do is just add plants and it keeps the nitrates in check then I just top off. I don’t think water changes should be an answer they are more of a temporary bandage. If you can’t have rooted plants because of your geophagus or Severums then I’d try fast growing floaters like duckweed. Also if you have so many tanks why not switch to RODI it’s cheaper then dechlorinators in the long run. It will also let you fine tune your water with buffers to be perfect for your fish.

[@siunami6432]

RO/DI is great

[@BrimstoneAquatics]

Where did you get fake plants at

[@CichlidBros]

Shop closed down unfortunately. We may have some for sale soon though

[@BrimstoneAquatics]

@@CichlidBros awesome. I have a 210 south american themed tank that needs more plants. Especially large ones

[@patram4880]

You guys got a lot of money to buy that acrylic tank must cost $3000 just by itself help me out man I thought you’d like the glass tank from the company you did business with Image Conson in your last video with Wisconsin I forgot the name of the gram company

[@KeepingItFishy]

Where did you get these fake plants ?!

[@CichlidBros]

Unfortunately the shop closed down last year (Elite Cichlids)

[@KeepingItFishy]

@@CichlidBros any other recommendations for places to get fake plants?