African Cichlid Tanks or Saltwater Tanks? The Battle for SUPREMACY
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- Опубликовано: 12 янв 2024
- African cichlids are GREAT, but how do they size up against SALTWATER FISH? I'll show you which is better as I compare them in 8 different categories. I love my African cichlid tank, but are those saltwater tanks even better? Let's find out together!
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.
Timecodes
0:00 Intro
00:24:03 Equipment
02:14:02 Beauty
03:55:10 Expense
05:30:03 Water Changes
07:04:08 Variety
08:12:19 Pride
09:43:16 Disasters
10:40:18 Acquisition
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FILTERS:
Fluval FX6 Canister Filter: amzn.to/3GHPDeS
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BREEDER BOX: www.amazon.com/dp/B07THHY7YP?...
WAVEMAKERS:
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HEATERS:
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TEMP CONTROLLER:
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LIGHTS:
AI Prime Freshwater Light: amzn.to/47XEdQp
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Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 59 watt: amzn.to/3v8UkvJ
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FOODS:
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Northfin Veggie Formula 3mm: amzn.to/3tiWGI1
Garlic Guard: amzn.to/48loBFV
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Check out this playlist:
• African Cichlid Genera...
#cichlidcharmer #aquariumhobby #aquarium 
Животные
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The real question is which tanks would you rather keep? Let us know! Also, join the Cichlid Charmer Fish Keepers group on facebook and share your tanks!
The African lakes are top five largest in the world and deepest lake. Over 3500 species in lake Malawi alone. Not sure what your talking about. Have you ever seen a great lake?
really enjoy your view and commentary!
Thank you!
As someone who kept many freshwater setup including cichlids of 28 years, I decided to try saltwater 2 years ago and it’s my new favorite. It’s very time consuming and expensive but sooo satisfying once you get an established tank with corals going. Freshwater is simple and easy maintenance. I love both but saltwater gets the edge for me. I’m lucky to have a local reefer who sells out of his garage for cheap.
That sounds like a grand adventure. I wish I had a local cichlid breeder that bred a wide variety of quality cichlids.
Next try a High Tech Planted tank with high lights, C02, large variety of plants, dozens of fertilizers, specialized substrates. Water chemistry from Low PH, Iron, Potassium. Low phosphates & nitrates.
Every tank has its pluses & minuses dependant on time, enjoyment & money invested.
very awesome video some cool fishes african cichlids and saltwater
Thanks!
@@CichlidCharmer your welcome anytime
Great video. I believe the same thing I have had a saltwater aquarium before I love my fresh water aquariums and a lot better I think.
Thanks, Danny!
I love fish world. Really good people, and cool to see local support.
Hey Daniel. You must be close to Spokane then?
I think my favorite part about Africans is they really are relatively low maintenance once your tank is established
Yeah, not too bad for long stretches of time 👍
Love your videos, sir,🤙 I’m in the meat business after a long, hard week of work I look forward to Saturday morning and looking at your videos great job, David 👍I have a 25 gallon I have a 90 gallon and I also have a 75 gallon. I’ve only been in the hobby for a year and a half but I love my nut job too.. look forward to looking at more of your videos..🤙🇺🇸🤙..⚓️…🐸..🤙🤙🤣
Thank you so much, Ralph. I also love watching fish videos when I can. I just can’t get enough. What a hobby! There’s a Cichlid Charmer Fish Keepers group on Facebook. I’d love to see your tanks on there 🐠
south east cichlids just got some nice rare haps in today.....enjoyed the video!
I’ll have to take a look! Thank you 🙏
i had to get an exochromis anagenys@@CichlidCharmer
Wow great video, you put a lot into this one, thank you so much! I had a marine tank set up in one of my 125gals, oh man what a real pain kudos to all those that keep them going, I lost thousands of dollars in fish and the upkeep with the water parameters, it's just so stinking hard, then the Lionfish died and released its toxins and all the other fish met their maker. So, all my points go to Cichlids, all kinds get my vote for sure. Wishing you the greatest blast on your trip sounds like fun fun fun!
Oh Polly, if you mentioned that you’d had salt water before, I didn’t remember it. Wow - what a way to go with that lion fish. “If I die, everyone dies!” Thanks, Polly 😍
Funny love it "everyone must go", from what I have read they don't release their toxins when they die, but I always think it did why else did all the rest croak, oh well no more Marine tanks. Give that sweet Stella some loves from me!@@CichlidCharmer
@@pollylewis9611yeah they had their chance!
Stella’s such a gem!
Cichlid Charmer,
Great video brother. Salt water is so expensive it is like 3 times the price and has to be setup just perfect. I was thinking if I ever did get salt water i would get a tank like the Cichlid bros got the all in one 15 gal i believe it is Reef Tank setup. but 500 bucks boggles me for that small of a tank lol. I actually enjoy my CA/SA tank a lot the big boys swimming up to the glass and greeting you staring you down lol. I have a 100 gal as you know. Love them goofy Fish and how majestic the swim and act. Saltwater fish are pretty but they are way less forgiving like discus tanks of the freshwater world. lol. appreciate the video Sir.
That is a lot of $$ for that size salt water tank! Hey btw, did you know there is a Cichlid Charmer fb group now? If you’re not already - member, I’d love to see you there! Good hearing from you, Jeremy 😎
I see your angles in the other tank do a video on them if possible please and thanks
Thanks Robert!
Great Video!!!
I’ve kept Africans for years, and as beautiful as they were…I got tired of the aggression that would pop up here and there…for the most part my Peas & Haps got along….however I made the switch to Americans and very much enjoy my Geos and Severums! I have also kept Discus the last few years, domestic and wild…and have also enjoyed them as well. However, keeping all those types of fish vs a decent size Salt Water Tank is just nigh and day….I’ve seen the money some people I know spend on their fish and coral and it’s nuts….and the big thing for me most of all is maintenance. I love knowing I can hook my python up to the sink and do water changes at will with some prime & stability…not the case with salt 🧂
Down the line I may do a 90 gallon fish only Red Sea tank, but for now I’m content with Fresh Water 🙏🏻
I agree, and I am so excited for my new American tank down the line a few months from now. With salt, I think that’s just too much for the water changes. That and other things. Thanks for the comment, Sean 😎
I’ve kept the highest end of both African cichlids and tangs…. Reef tanks win all day. They have a horrible reputation when it comes to moving it because people are old school. Frits turbo start and reuse your filter media and coral and fish will be safe. Like any move you may lose a fish. If you don’t quarantine you will more then certainly have casualties in saltwater. Either way salt reef tanks all day. A lot of the fish are also being bred in captivity that wasn’t possible a few years ago. It’s more if you can afford it, if you have a little extra time because it’s not much more at all and again if you can afford it. 😂
The dealer killer with Africans is its a species only tank. You can’t honestly say putting plecos in there is caring for your fish. They pic at there fins non stop that’s why they call ob eye biters and many others. You cant even keep anuncias in it because they eat it. No clean up crew as in snails, shrimps or crabs cause they’ll eat it
I can appreciate that. And you’re right - don’t put any other species or really anything living at all with Africans or they have a high chance of dying.
I keep both and while my 6 ft mbuna tank is very colourful they dont quite have the pop or patterns of colour that marines do.
Yep I would agree 😎
Interesting video because I have debated which would I do next. An African Cichlid or saltwater tank.. If I tried a saltwater tank I would probably go small, like a 15-30 gallon, because of the cost and equipment involved.
Dab your toe in the water - good idea 👍
Do you plan on keeping discus? They are probably the closest to salt water fishes in terms of colour and beauty.
Oh you are right! I have limited room right now, so if I do, it’ll be after one of my diabolical plans comes to fruition to add more room for tanks 😳
I like the personality of the Africans. That's something I really enjoy but don't have enough experience with salt water to really know what those fish are like.
I also wondered if there were some saltwater fish that have that personality that Africans show us. The ones I’ve seen at the pet store certainly do not.
Great video mate, for me the nut jobs are the best and wouldn’t trade them for anything.
They are top notch, stefanos!
Saltwater lights are crazy expensive. Some of the lights alone can cost more than a full fresh water set up itself.
Right! And I thought my AI Prime Freshwater lights were expensive... I mean, they are -- just not THAT expensive.
Trust me dude, get a tiny nano reef tank and you'll be selling your afeicans in a few months to upgrade 😂
The amount of biodiversity of coral, inverts, fish, and macroalgae is insane. And the more equipment you have the less work. Many are on no water change systems because saltwater allows for reactors, refugiums, and protein skimmers that can keep nitrate to 5 ppm.
When done right, saltwater wins all day. And i agree wild caught is wrong. Luckily captive bred fish is growing super fast by alot of good companies like Biota- expensive but its a step in the right direction
If loving freshwater is wrong, I don’t wanna be right! I appreciate you though. And you’re probably right, but it would take so much more time, I’d have to cut back on my tank count.
I have a FOWLR and have no desire to add coral. I also have an African Cichlid tank. The cost of lighting and testing and the coral becomes more important than the fish. No thanks!
That’s what I’ve heard! I mean cool if you’re extremely rich or have no bills, but to most it’s too much.
But there are a lot of freshwater exotics now Stingrays, Eels, Puffers & Arowana
True! I just bought an eel, actually.
I regret to inform you, I have rehomed my peacock and haps 😢
What happened, Dennis?
@@CichlidCharmer made room for my central american cichlids. Man it was hard, but I've totally turned interest in to the American cichlids. I MAY do a small stocked 90 gallon in the future for peacock cichlids. Ones that get no bigger than 6 inches. If I go that route, I'll probably only do 10-12 or I may just do an OB only tank.
For now I'm concentrating on American cichlids. I'm placing my electric blue Texas, salvini and jack dempsey in the 125. And I want to add maybe a cuban or something in the 6-8 inch range
@@dennispeleg7843oh what a relief, Dennis. I thought you were out of the hobby. I’m jealous of the CAs!
@@CichlidCharmer heck no lol. I have the 125, 2 75 gallons, 2 40 gallon breeders and 20 long. By next month I'm getting 2 more 75 gallons and 2 more 125 gallons. You know you want them central americans! You could do a 125 gallon with group of rainbow cichlids and a single Nicaraguan cichlid with dithers! It would be a pretty laid back setup!
That sounds more like it 🤘🤘🤘
I am still not certain about CAs or SAs. I want more peaceful, but I also want those killer fish too. It’s a fun dilemma to have at least!
Saltwater is better unless it’s koi!!
Oh my, my friend owns koi. And I was thinking saltwater fish were expensive. He pays around $2000 for one. Yikes.
Kept Africans for 10 years and moved to Reef.. I feel like you pushed that reefing is only for the rich and all fish cost an arm and a leg and they dont. You can have very affordable setups if you do your research- more maintenance yeah sure. But there are also low maint and no waterchange methods. Most of the best looking fish such as angels cant go anywhere near coral- Fish only with live rock FOWLR tanks are very common. As an fish keeper for 20+ years I wondered why all the arrogance and divide in the Tropical/ Salt until I started, you wont understand till you join the community, its like what you said about non fishkeepers, there is a level of oblivion freshwater keepers are in.. Dont get me wrong, Chiclids are cool, but after saltwater you will lump them in with any other freshwater fish.. Just make the step brother.. You will understand what the "real fish" comment means.
I appreciate the feedback 🤩
American cichlid tank > African cichlid tank > Saltwater tank
African cichlids 🙃 saltwater fish😆
What?? No way 😂😂😂. Thanks for the comment 😍
Sorry I'm not a Cichlid person except I like to eat tilapia so I guess they're a Cichlid so I guess I like them in the edible way. Definitely a salt water person but it's good we all have diversity.
@@rhombifer566 😮😮😮