Topic: neeeeeeeeeeeeewb

[Antonia]

I'm heaps late,but just saying hello and welcome.

[clichecichlid]

thanks for the greetings folks! i have a chunk of driftwood tied to the branches hanging in the top of the aquarium,and one on the bottom of the tank...  i'll figure out how to anchor the zucchini in the leaves as well. this plec doesn't like hanging out on the bottom of the aquarium, maybe once it's much larger, and the O isn't feeding it the glare of doom, it may.

crazy greenery altaaffe

[clichecichlid]

i've seen recommendations of a 50 percent water change every week. i've also heard no MORE than 50 percent water change ever, as it can stress fish. with my 66 gallon, (one O, one severum, one pleco) what would be most suitable amount of WC long term?

i was thinking 40 percent once a week, but alas, i just don't have as much experience as you folks.

[clichecichlid]

where are all the pics of the O's guys?

[Gerry]

I regularly did 75 - 80% water changes with no ill effect. but testing your water will guide you to a minimum amount required to keep your nitrates low. this is the aim of water changes, Theres no point in doing a certain % regularly if your nitrates are slowly climbing.

[Katt]

Yep testing your water will tell you how much and how often you will need water change`s.

Like Gerry I do 70 to 80% each week, if needed or not. I have even been know to just leave enough water to cover the fish. 
They love. 

[clichecichlid]

water treatment additives after 70-80 percent change?
and water straight from the tap? or water sitting out in buckets?
i hear calgary's water is good... aside from chlorine... (don't use charcoal... not even sure if charcoal removes chlorine)

[Gerry]

When changing water my canister filters are turned off to keep fresh water from entering there
Add the water conditioner to the tank before filling in the area you are going to fill
fill straight into tank and once filled give a gentle swirl wait a few mins and start your filter.

That's how I do it

[Katt]

yep right from the tap.  Do it pretty much the same as Gerry.

Just try to get new water as close to tank temp as you can.

[clichecichlid]

thanks for the WC wisdom!

do O's like to hide in caves at all? i hear, and notice severum's do, (as they are quite submissive to an O)

what is typically a smaller size cichlid that could go with an O besides a convict?

[Gerry]

O's are open swimmers so not really cave dwellers.

Firemouths
Sajica (T bar cichlid)
Blue acara
 

There are a lot of cichlids around 6" and it will depend what you can find available