240 Litre Stocking Help

[minnnt]

Ok, after being intrigued by this months PFK mag i am considering stocking a Juwel Rio 240 with Malawi's... Not wanting too many species, maybe just 2 that contrast very well, but i have no idea about these fish so am looking for some help from those who do!!

How would be best to go about this? Was considering trying Limpopo sand in the tank as most setups seem to use white sands? Would that be a mistake?

I like the looks of the Yellow Labs and the Ice Blue Red Tops... Are they compatable or not? If so how many of each?

Thanks.

 

[fishprotector]

I know this is far off topic, but how many tanks do you actually have ?!?!?

 

[minnnt]

LOL!!!! That would be telling...

 

[fishprotector]

 

[minnnt]

Running or in total?

3 running, 7 in total.

 

[fishprotector]

Oh, I am slightly dissappointed lol. I expected at least double figures.

 

[minnnt]

nah... The 240 was free though

 

[fishprotector]

And before anyone says that 3 + 7 gives a double figures answer, I meant running...

Oh you cant beat that than

Anyway I will let you get back to topic.

 

[minnnt]

I have 7 altogether... 3 running and 4 not.

Thanks.

 

[Malawi MaD]

Good Idea with the malawi's

If your wanting a good contrast and only plan on having 2 species then the Pseudotropheus Saulosi, Melanochromis interruptus and Metriaclima Membe Deep all have beautiful coloured males and females (not the only species out there) but they are all beautiful fish. Unfortunately, You Would only be able to choose one of the 3 though as the females just look too similar to keep all 3 species together. There would be to much risk with the males fighting over the similar looking females meaning the chance of interbreeding with one another is high. There is so many species to choose from, some easier to keep then others and some that can be mixed and some that cant.So its quite hard to narrow it down unless you have a good idea of what you like and what species you have taken a fancy to. The 2 species you mentioned would be fine together, you would need to up the numbers to roughly 6 to 12 of each species to lower aggression and create 2 larger groups if your only wanting 2 species in your set-up. Substrate wise you can use anything that you like the look of really, as long as it doesn't lower the PH and general hardness in your water then it will be fine. Most people use crushed coral sand as it helps to buffer the water, I personally dont like it doesnt look natural in the aquarium but i do have some crushed coral in my external filter's to help keep the water stable. This stuff too is used a lot for african's:
http/www.caribsea.com/pages/products/cichlid_eco-complete.html
Mbuna especially love to dig a sieve threw sand so the finer the substrate the better really, the sand you mentioned is fine to use I have it in my new set-up ..

 

[bullit]

Oh, I am slightly dissappointed lol. I expected at least double figures.

thats cause he changes them every week. wonder how long these will last

 

[rifty]

was it the pfk article on the labs and benga tank in this months? all yellow with blue background?
it looked amazing!

 

[minnnt]

Cheers MaD. If the species I mentioned will get along ok with little risk of interbreeding then I an happy to go with them. My water is 7.2, so I guess I could add a little to my filter too! Thinking of using coral rock anyway, so that too may act as a buffer.

How many of each should I start with and how many should I end up with? I want a happy medium I guess, not too empty but not too full. Also, which fish first?

Thanks.

Cheers MaD. If the species I mentioned will get along ok with little risk of interbreeding then I an happy to go with them. My water is 7.2, so I guess I could add a little to my filter too! Thinking of using coral rock anyway, so that too may act as a buffer.

How many of each should I start with and how many should I end up with? I want a happy medium I guess, not too empty but not too full. Also, which fish first?

Thanks.

 

[minnnt]

That's the one rifty. It was fantastic! Was toying with the rio nanay biotape, which tbh, is much more my thing, but the missus's face was a picture when I showed her, where as she loved the mbooona setup. Very crisp and fresh. Although I will have a black background.

 

[konor123]

I currently have Ice Blues and Electric yellows in the same tank and they look wonderful!!! The bright colours of the Electric Yellows and the male Ice Blues make these fish my favourites.

P.S - I may have an Ice Blue Holding. I'm not too sure yet!!!