How to Setup an AFRICAN CICHLID Aquarium 

Please note that this video is specifically for MALAWI cichlids. Hopefully this video has been useful. Here are some other videos that might help you: African Cichlid Care Guide: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5ihjpU3YaWU.html How to add African Cichlids: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2jglYkFDnvw.html Follow me on Instagram for more content: instagram.com/Tazawa_Tanks Thank you to my channel sponsors and supporters, Aquarium Co-op, Xtreme Aquatic Foods and Fritz Aquatics. Also, a huge thank you to my Patreon supporters! Shop for Fritz and Xtreme here: www.aquariumcoop.com

I used to keep fish. Now that I have African cichlids, I feel like they keep me! I have never enjoyed fish like these guys! Great video!

I came to the channel specifically for African cichlids. Many channels I watched had a lot of "filler" with very substance and usually only covered haps and peacocks versus mbuna. I've seen more content about mbuna here than I have seen on other channels. Many concepts presented for haps/peacocks do transfer; but I learned specifics like diet, creating the environment, and temperament are significantly different when keeping mbuna. I didn't know these differences and this helped to avoid major issues/mistakes. I liked your delivery and confidence in what you were presenting as well.

You have definitely inspired me to get my cichlid tank going, I just got my 75 up and cycled and my PH levels are stable. Thank you for being awesome this video was a great help.

Great video! I've been doing cichlids for over 20 years so nothing is new to me but I still really like what you do. Keep putting out these videos please. I always look forward to them.

Hey man! Great video! You really inspired my wife and i on getting cichlids. I just built a 60 gallon tank L 36 1/2, W 18 1/2, and H 20 3/8. We wanted a between the wall reef tank that can be displayed in both our kitchen and bar. But after reading about saltwater tanks we decided to go with freshwater. My wife saw the yellow cichlids and the setup and loved it. Cichlid tanks almost look like reefs and its freshwater and will go good in our place. Something to enjoy with a few beers after work. Thanx again Tazawa Tanks!

I'm a lover of African cichlids in which I have a 65-gallon tank of them , a 40-gallon community tank, and also a discus tank. Let's just say that this pandemic got me into loving fish a lot more. Also, your videos are amazing and very informative.

Just bought my first 3 peacocks for a new 75 gallon setup. Timing couldn’t have been better. Thank you! Looking forward to getting another batch to add.

I dont even want an african cichlid tank but im still gonna watch this.

This RU-vid video is two years old and I very much appreciate the info. I’ve never had cichlids before and was buying a 75 gal and three African cichlids came with it (and a shiner which - what?) but I have no idea what I’m doing. Google recommended your videos and so now I’m devouring all of them. Thank you!

Hi, I watched the video as one of your points. I'm doing my research. I have small community tank for just over a year and it was my first tank where I wanted to do things properly. I had my ups and downs with it but in the end I'm happy with what I achieved. Clear water, healthy fish and loads of pleasure watching them. I fall in love with malawi cichlids and here I am. I'm still planning and researching and I want to gain as much knowledge as I can before I buy actual tank. Thanks for the video and hopefully soon I can share some of my own experiences with malawi cichlids.

What's up Man! Great video as always. You have given me so much guidance on keeping my African cichlid tank. I will be leaving this video and going to the African Cichlid Care Guide video. Thanks again!

That’s why I keep African cichlids Learned a lot from past videos keep up the great work. Gorgeous fish with amazing colours birthday to have some aggression I like the bit about adding them younger that’s when I’ve had no problems.

I was given a male Bumblebee Cichilid. He is currently in a 20 gallon tank 😞 I'm trying my best to make him happy where he is right now until I can get him into a bigger tank. He has a big personality and I don't want him to lose that. I just want you to know that I love your enthusiasm in your video. It was very well done and it helped me. I have done my research on him and I think I'm only gonna get him one compatible tankmate for the time being. I'm going for a 55 tank right now and all the things he needs. Caves, rocks, sand substrate (so I was told to use). Thank you for your great video. I have subscribed to your site. 🙂

I'm looking to get back into keeping fish after many years. I've always wanted to go with a Cichlid tank and found this video a great foundation and summary of how it differs from standard freshwater fish keeping.

Thank you. I wasn’t going to do African cichlids but watching your vids have inspired me. Cycling a 40 breeder now and looking into Lake Tanganyikans!

You always inspire me to keep going on my journey no matter what happens in life miss going to the meetings!

Thank you for the videos, they are very informative. I just purchased a125 gallon aquarium and am in the process of setting it up. I have decided that I would like to stock it with Cichlids since I have never had them before. Right now I am in the discovery phase and your videos have been extremely helpful.

Great video!, I kept Mbuna about 15 years ago in the UK , none of these resources where available back then. I originally chose them because of a picture in an aquarium book I was given 🤣. Living in Australia now and would love to get back into the hobby!

Very good videos bro! I have been fish-keeping for about 30 years now. tropicals, salt, etc. However, I have never kept Cichlids. Your videos have been great! I am about to set up my 125 long with cichlids for the first time. Just getting all the mechanical, lighting, background, etc ready. Hoping to fill the tank in the next week or two. Now I just need to decide which ones to get. I really love Peacocks, but also the Mbuni. Decisions, decisions!! That's for all the great info!

Thank you for the advice. It's my very first time to have Ciclid in my home and I am learning about them now. It's good to know that we have to prepare a hospital tank just in case.

I have one MBuna tank, and two peacock and MBuna( only omnivores no vegie eaters) because of your beautiful OBs. Thanks for all that you do Zenzo!

The inspiration I got from your videos is great and I got some Chindango Saulosi on your recommendation. Best closing music in the business sir, keep up the good work!

Thank you so much! I’ve decided to keep an African Cichlid tank and watched about 4 videos before I came across yours. Yours is the only channel I subscribed to. You were very informative and I can’t wait to get going with the setup! 😁

I just started a 125 and everything is working out thanks to you're videos, my water quality was excellent so was my parameters so i added six peacocks, I also added two sponge filters from a establish aquarium for one months since they work the best for me, thank you brother, feel free to advice me,,,,RESPECT.

Yes you have inspired me to keep African cichlids! You and a few other fish tubers. Kept tropical community fish for 30 years. I set up a 125 last July. my 1st African cichlid tank. I absolutely love them! Thank you

You inspired me to keep these fish and also open my eyes to the challenges Ahead. Thanks for your time and your help

I forgot, wanted to tell you, while Christmas shopping I saw a shirt that immediately made me think of you. It said “I’d flex - but I like this shirt” you’ve probably seen it, but thought it was funny.

We are starting a 210 gallon and want African cichlids, thanks for all you do! We really didn't know how to get started.

I would love to get into African cichlids! They look so awesome

Yes, I’m doing my research. Excited to try an African Cichlid tank. Thanks for the info. 😊

My first tank was an African Cichlid tank about 40 years ago, no idea what I was doing but it was one of my favorite tanks. Have liked and watched you for years (sometime before you were on Real Fish Talk). You’ve always seemed like a cool guy. I’m way south of you (So. Cal desert) hope to meet you some day.

I'm new to African cichlids, your info is very important and helpful

Back in the late 70s-early 80s I had three tanks going in my house: my tiny original 25 gallon tropical tank, then later I got a good solid metal edged 35 gallon tank for African Cichlids, for which I carefully maintained the pH and alkaline (slight saline) levels temps. and had dolomite and coral, etc. a spare tank but it worked fine for a good year or two. Then I also added a third small 35 gallon tank upstairs for a few huge Oscars and a few huge pleco catfish! The Oscars were the most fun since they got big enough where I could feed the critters by hand! LOL Like dogs. It was pretty funny. But the Africans were more delicate, but very colorful and graceful. I eventually gave up the orig. tropical tank to concentrate on the Oscars and Africans. I ended up giving up the hobby by the mid 80s, with other hobbies becoming more important to me. But I learned an enormous amount back then about keeping various tanks. Also on filters, media, etc. I had tons of books on the hobby, including Cichlids.

Appreciate the video my friend! Just got my first big tank and your information is helping me get ideas/information for my cichlid tank!!

Love the video man!!!! excellent ideas and tips. Greetings from Puerto Rico :)

getting back in the hobby after years, thanks for all the info

Really helpful for those in the hobby and starting out

hey this video is such an informative video on African cichlids.I am new to African cichlids.I will be setting a 75 gallon as I am working on a tank stand build.Based on your advice and suggestion I've decided to go with the Dwarf Mbunas I will get the at juvenile size.I am definitely familiar with cycling as I have other tanks.But I must say you have definitely inspired me and I feel confident enough to get my new African cichlid tank going..thankyou!

Great video, thank you!

iv been looking into getting into african cichlids and came across your viedos awesome videos

I love your approach and I never thought about a quarantine tank. I will definitely get one. I am new to the African cichlid world. This should be fun. Thanks

Came here for the cichlid info!! Thank you!!! 🎉

Beast video. Couldn’t ask for anything better

Bro thank you for the videos .. I learned alot from my pops as a kid on how to keep fish .. Now this is like a refreshers course plus more.. Much Respect and thank you. 💯

Just started a new cichlid tank in a 75 gallon tank. Got a exotic jack blue dempsey and some Africans. They all seem to be getting along great

I been thinking about getting some Cichlids and after seeing this video I’m most definitely getting some

Awesome guide I love my cichlid

Great info as always,you are definitely one of the people that helped me the most,when I started keeping African cichlids,appreciate you bro.

Much thanks for this video and all the videos you’ve made on African Cichlids. I’ve been watching a lot of videos on mbunas and also herbbie drains cause I’m finally upgrading my 55 gallon (has had many different types of fish and scapes) of 15 years to a 90 gallon reef ready glass aquarium. Second time I’ve owned mbunas and ready to scape this new beast, Fired Up!!!

Great video!! Time for me to build my own African Cichlids tank. Will watch all your videos for guidance.

I love african cichlids and also love your youtube videos , very informative ...keep it up ...

I love the channel, and have been following for a while, finnaly decided to get cichlids and am super excited! But this video was kind of a waste of time, i looked up this video as my form of research! But all this video told me to do was do research

Want to start setting up tanks and maintaining them for clients. Have had Kenyi and others before and love them. Still need to learn a lot!

You skipped the part I was looking for. What’s a good tank environment for African cichlids. Darn it!

Hi from 🇲🇻 maldives... i got lots of info.. thanks and keep it up man..

I have 8 tanks which most people think is great but your setup makes me so ENVIOUSSSSS

I love this set up. I want to have one.

Iv had marine kids got to much so got tropical now there in sons room looking for help setting up african cichlid tank ur video help ammencly thank you

Great info, very helpful, Thank you! I’ve been considering this for tooo long! It’s time to go for it! ✌🏼

I'd love to keep learning more.

I think i have watched just about as much fish content as possible and still learning. I'm split on tanks to set up one is a shell dwellers the other is electric blue and or blood parrot tank granted these are mostly south American tank

Been keeping fish for years i watch cause even a old dog can learn new tricks with tanks you never know every thing and sometimes you learn things that you never even thought of or you can teach others something you know and they don't

Awesome Video! I love african cichlids but don't have any yet so it's great to learn as much as I can!

I have a 50g and would love to keep yellow labs and maybe salousi. The yellow and blue combo I think would look good together. I know rock work but can spiderwood and plants be added too or no. And for over stocking would 15 be good for a 50g? and its not a new tank. Its an already established tank.

Very informative! Thank you, sir! Subscribed!

I have had tanks for many years. Starting new - 75g + 20g... Wanting to try something new.... thank you! #CichlidInspiration

Did you come off a shoot for a Just For Men Beard commercial before making this video? 😂😂😂 Awesome video as always!

Great video very informational especially the information about the quarantine tank.I'm preparing to set up a 55 gallon tank for African Cichlids(Peacocks and Haps).Please recommend a cannister filter system,as an option a outside hang filter and wave maker.

I will be setting up a 55 with Mbuna. Though I really like the peacocks. 2 questions.... Are peacocks too big for a 55? How many Mbuna should be put in the 55 to ward off aggressive behavior. I currently run 6 tanks of various sizes with community fish. I breed guppies and keep about 100 in a 20 tall. Still keeping nitrates between 20-40 ppm. Over stocking is kinda my jam..within reason of course.

Awesome advice, doing my research, had discus, simply to sensitive, have fancy goldfish, and a mixed community tank, with Cory’s, bristlenose plecos, rainbows, danios, cherry barbs, silver dollars, and rasboras. Looking now into another tank just for African Cichlids.

I just switched from saltwater to fresh 140 gallon red sea and 30 gallon sump what you recommend for media it has the reefmatt 500 for mechanical filtration already

Great info. In time for my African cichlid tank setup 👍

I can't wait to get an african cichlid tank!

I should elaborate on my previous question... I'm not new to cichlids...I'm just setting up a new 75 gallon tank - I'm and Aussie, so 3oo litres for me :) and I have previously bred cichlids and used a range of methods with success from cannister to undergravel and sponge filters, but I have been watching so many of your videos, I'd love to hear or if you would just refer me to the correct video? I can't seem to see one?

I came for African cichlids. I setup a 55 gallon and I think the decor is boring. Lots of caves with rock and shell flooring. I was wondering about lighting and decor! Loved your vid!

Great advice 👍

Thank so much because I have African cyclic and I have one that is very aggressive to anything I put in my tank but I see I need to add 4 or 5 at a time

Which filtration method do you recommend, even brand/s for an african tank?

Awesome thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Great info, thanks

Another great video - thanks!

Hi Ben ; Should I start An Maine tank with 10 or 15 fish? My tank is 40 Breeder. Thanks for all your videos,ver Y helpfUl. From, Jim Moore

I use a 40 gallon it’s pretty good some people mite say it does not work but I think it does but you just can’t put has much then a 55 gallon

Very informative.

Thanks for the information! I just changed water on my 10 gallon tank, which has one one Convict cichlid in it. Water parameter is the same based on the local aquarium shop. But the fish is now sitting at the bottom corner and not eating or moving. What did I do wrong? How can I save the fish? Thanks so much for your help!

Thank you. Great video

I’m starting a African cichlid tank tomorrow morning I’m just gonna get the tank and everything and cycle for now.... However I seen some cichlids that I love but don’t really know what other cichlids can go in the tank with could you help me out This video was informative and inspiring Thank you

You definitely inspired me

Gotta take over a way too small (less that 10 gallon cubic aquarium) chichlid tank in a few days, I still don't even know what kind of chichlids they are (got told that they are Malawis but nothing more) but I'm trying to contact some people who could identify them. Never had chichlids before but this video literally saved my life. God do I hate people with a burning passion.

I want to setup 3 tanks for chiclid,1 tank i choosed salousi,can you please tel which all i can choose for 2nd and 3rd tank?

I am just starting with a 5.5 g tank and one African Chiclid because the other fish I was told was compatible with it died within days. Any info you can offer me?

I got some cichlids from my friend. I have setup a tank for them (55 gallons). It’s been a day and they are keep dying, what should I do?

I had a 55 gallon with a bunch if convicts (they had babies) and 2 jack Dempseys. After a few months, I added an Oscar that was the same size as the convicts, but they beat him up over night and killed him. They waited until the light was off. But I did try adding a few other fish to the tank but to no prevail. I don't recommend adding anything to an established convict tank, or Jack Dempseys because they are territorial and will fight to the death. They seam to think everything is food lol. But damn are they hardy and easy to keep. I recommend them for beginners

I got my Oscar because of your videos

is it common to keep african cichlids with a lot plants in a tank? If not recommended, any reasons?

Lots of great advice, don’t have a tank big enough yet but hopefully real soon. Definitely want to get into keeping African Cichlids, the aggression does scare me a bit though.

Great video💯 Thank you Zenzo🙏💕🌿🐟🌿💚

You have interested me in the Yellow female and Blue male Chindongo Saulosi. I have a 40 gallon breeder tank I'm setting up. I think they'd be great. Beautiful colors. Oh, my fourth Tank by the way.

I'd add one thing...make sure everything is level before adding water.