Hi Chris. You should have much better luck with a 55 gallon tank. 10 gallons is more work really (it's actually the same maintenance but with a 10 gallon it's more likely that your water parameters will get messed up quickly, whereas a 55 gallon will be fine between water changes....after cycling of course). Do you know about cycling? Cycling correctly will take about 4-6 weeks. Below is a link to my article on how to set up any size tank. Also, you cannot mix puffers and cichlids, unless you want to wake up one morning and find someone dead. They are both very aggressive species. Also, do you know that cichlids are endemic (only found in one region) to specific regions in Africa (and I believe somewhere else too but I don't know where else they are found naturally), and you should not mix regions because they will be much much more aggressive towards the other region fish? This is one of the main reasons why I want cichlids one day. Can't afford them right now, but I love them because they are entertaining.... puffers too.
Anyways, let me know how the article helps, if you need more info, I can find you some... or if you just have some questions, I'd be glad to answer them. I am a full time student with 15 credits so please allow me time to respond. I'm usually pretty quick, but sometimes I can't check the boards every day.
Cycling
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Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
