55, yo

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

I'm getting my kenyi a 55 gallon tank and I have a few questions. Should I use sand or gravel? Should I get a canister filter or what? Should I put a crap load of rock formations in there or just medium amount? Plant or fake plants(never kept real plants? And is it going to be harder to clean than a 10 gallon? Just want the best for my kenyi (King Louis IV)

Oh yeah and should I get him a few women for?

 

[Ethos]

I would do a large gravel.
I just found out that my mbuna cichlids like to move things around with their mouth.
I wanted sand, but the lady at the store almost wouldn't let me.
So i got a small sandy gravel.
Well, I'm afraid now that in the process of moving rocks, they might accedently swallow.
Also dont buy rock from the store. If you need to, ok, but its really expansive.
I'm lucky because I live about 2 hours from duluth, where I've gotten some fantastic rocks in the past.

 

[freddyk]

These fish do interact with the substrate and dig, so sand is the most natural for them (all I use for my cichlids), but they'll get along fine with gravel too.

To keep these fish successfully it's best to have a well stocked tank that includes several females for your kenyi, or none at all. If you can't sex them get a few extra. Be careful when you choose cichlids to add, do research on any ideas for companions for him and don't do any impulse shopping - there are too many cichlids that can't stand up to these guys. Avoid any mubna that looks like a kenyi, either male or female, or aggression issues increase. Lot's of rockscaping gives lots of places for a harassed fish to escape and regroup. When you add fish you'll want to add them in numbers, and to buy them as close in size as possible to your current fish. I wouldn't add this one to the new tank until you get him some mates to add at the same time, this could help your old fish, used to living alone, keep from becoming overly territorial.

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

thanks and trust me I know that these fish can be monster (killed 70 fish in his lifetime) and I will put lots of rock formation, but what about filter wise? What kind should I get?

 

[colen]

I suggest you invest in an Aqua Clear 500. Can't go wrong with this filter, I believe it might be called the Aqua Clear 110 now? maybe?

Anyways, it pumps 500 gallons per hour and will easily keep your 55 gallon clean.

I own 3 of these filters and can only say good things about them.

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

I suggest you invest in an Aqua Clear 500. Can't go wrong with this filter, I believe it might be called the Aqua Clear 110 now? maybe?

Anyways, it pumps 500 gallons per hour and will easily keep your 55 gallon clean.

I own 3 of these filters and can only say good things about them.

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How much do they cost USD?

 

[Ethos]

I suggest you invest in an Aqua Clear 500. Can't go wrong with this filter, I believe it might be called the Aqua Clear 110 now? maybe?

Anyways, it pumps 500 gallons per hour and will easily keep your 55 gallon clean.

I own 3 of these filters and can only say good things about them.

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And are they loud? My 55G Mbuna tank is in my bedroom, and I cant put up with tons of noice. My current filter has alittle grinding, and of course the gurgiling, but thats it.

 

[modernhamlet]

I suggest you invest in an Aqua Clear 500. Can't go wrong with this filter, I believe it might be called the Aqua Clear 110 now? maybe?

Anyways, it pumps 500 gallons per hour and will easily keep your 55 gallon clean.

I own 3 of these filters and can only say good things about them.

[snapback]909670[/snapback]​

How much do they cost USD?

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At $35-$40 online ($45-50 retail), you aren't likely to find more quality filtration for the money than this model.

However, given you're likely to overstock kenyi (or mbuna in general), you should consider even more filtration than even an AquaClear 110. On a 55g, I and many mbuna keepers would suggest 2 filters. A good combination is a canister filter and a HOB filter. If you can't afford that, go with 2 HOBs. A pair of Aquaclear 70s ($25 each online) should do nicely.

Hope that helps...

 

[Angry_Platy]

Aquaclear filters make no noise at all. The only time I hear mine is if it is overdue for a clean/media change and even then it is very faint. I suggest you get 2 though....with any cichlids, overfiltration is best

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

yeah, I can't argue there. But what exactly is a canister filter? And are they any good? And should I use sand, or gravel? My biggest fear is when ever I put all those big heavy rocks in there it's going to burst through the bottem. Could that happen?

 

[colen]

Aqua clear filters are pretty much silent, I can never hear mine (it is in my bedroom as well). Just make sure the tank is right topped up or you might hear a little water noise.

As for the rocks, I can't imagine it being a problem busting though the bottom. Just make sure they are stacked very carefully. Also, place the rocks right on the glass and not ontop any sand/gravel. You'll find your cichlids love to dig in the sand, and you don't want the rocks on the bottom moving at all causing other rocks to fall/move.

I pay about $65 canadian for Aqua Clear 500's. Having a second filter would be a wise Idea, I have made out alright with one on a 55 in my cichlid tank, although it is not yet fully stocked.

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

but if you would put a big 6 pound on the glass, wouldn't it break or crack the glass?

 

[modernhamlet]

but if you would put a big 6 pound on the glass, wouldn't it break or crack the glass?

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Not at all. I have more than 250 lbs of granite in my 75g tank.

If you're worried about the glass, stop by your local big hardware store and pick up some electrical eggcrate. Looks like this:

Cut it to size and place it on the bottom of the tank. Dispurses the weight of the rocks over the whole bottom.

I'd definitely pick sand. Mbuna love it. Pool filter or sand blasting sand is a good size. Cleaner than play sand too.

 

[The ultimate_fish MaC dAddY]

But the thing is, I'm getting the 55 gallon stand from Wal-Mart. I don't know if it would hold.


P.S. When I get the 55 gallon, I'm taking lewies tank and putting 6 female bettas in it. Now the thing is, his tank is packed with calcium buildup where there's no water. What would get that off?

 

[modernhamlet]

But the thing is, I'm getting the 55 gallon stand from Wal-Mart. I don't know if it would hold.

If the stand can hold 500+ lbs of water and glass, it can hold an extra 100lbs or so of rocks (displacing 30 lbs of water on the way).

It's an aquarium stand. Even the cheap ones will hold a lot. Don't worry about it unless you're completely filling the tank to the top with heavy rocks.