Can anyone suggest a good website for aquascaping for freshwater aquariums?

Question

It should have detailed steps with diagrams, for making caves tunnels
for African cichlids.

Answer 1

There is a site by aquarium adventure, they have a few plans for aquariums so you can check it out:

http://www.aquariumadventure.com/fun.htm
*The first one under aquascaping, Central America Rocky Lake Environment, is all about Cichlids
another site is an aquarium rating site, so you can get ideas from there:

http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/planted_tanks.php

Answer 2

I would go to www.fishforums.com. There is a section with lots of pictures, and you could contact the people who posted the photos you like.

You can use pvc pipe, clay flower pots (new ones)- you can cut or break holes in them and large stacks of rocks. Roof slates or other flat stones work well to make stacks with rounder rocks. There are vendors who sell clay caves - one is Rina (sp?) cave. I have seen pvc pipe that was an inch across and 8 inches long, sealed in a stack of 6. You can cement your caves with silicone sealant, but use aquarium safe sealant, as the sealant for showers, etc may have mold inhibitors and other poisons.

You may want to place the rocks directly on the base of the tank, then add sand or other substrate, rather than placing the sand first, as many of these fish dig and might accidently topple the stones. Some people have suggested putting a piece of "egg crate"- plastic fluorescent lighting diffuser (Home Depot) on the bottom first, to eliminate pressure points.

I keep lots of fish, but my Africans are Tanganyikan shelldwellers, so I use shells (escargot type), ceramic fish toys such as castles, and flower pots as well as rocks.

Answer 3

There are 3 sites which are probably the best out on the Net right now...

Aquaria Central
http://www.aquariacentral.com

AquariumBoard
http://www.aquariumboard.com

Monster Fish Keepers
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com

Join the site's forums and just begin asking questions. They also have some great links for Aquascaping and even specifics particular to Africans so no doubt you will find everything you need (and more for you hobbying later on) on all 3 sites.

Good luck!

Answer 4

you have cycled your tank for 2-6 weeks actual? In a 20 gallon tank you could desire to get 5-7 quite cool new Longfin Blue Zebra Danios or Gold Longfin Leopard Danios. and then a great variety of organic flora and consistent with hazard yet another college of small tetras like Neons or 4-5 Male Guppies.

Answer 5

Badmanstropicals

Monsterfishkeepers

about.com in their freshwater aquarium section

Their are tons, even just looking up cichlids should give you a lot. People who own cichlids love them, a lot, and are happy to share what they have done.

Answer 6

I don't know about aquascaping for cichlids but for good inspiration go to http://www.vectrapoint.com Takashi Amano's site.

Answer 7

There is a really informative website for fish supplies and such, plus you can get a free catalog to shop from right at home.

www.thatfishplace.com

Good Luck.

Answer 8

try this site, they are very informative about cichlids. Hope this helps.

http://www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/index.html