75 Gallon Mbuna Photo Diary, Now W/pics Of The Fish.

[dthoffsett]

Well, I got my 75 gallon tank today and set it up. I'm so exited, I can't wait until it cycles. Ok, here's the specs: 75 gallon tank (duh), Fluval 404 (400gph), Aqua Clear 70(300gph), Stealth 250watt heater, 100lbs of rock, I'll probably add another 50lbs or so, about 25lbs crushed coral, it's about an inch or so thick, fortunately I didn't need a whole lot cause of the rocks. I haven't completely decided on my stocking list yet. Which would you pick: Option A - 7 yellow labs (already have), 1m:4f red zebras, 5 acei, 1 demasoni, 3 pim pictus (can't get any synos locally, so I thought I give these a try, have heard of the people being successful), 1 bristlenose pleco (finally found a place in town with these). Or, Option B: 7 yellow labs, 1m:4f metriaclima greshaki, 1:4f pseudotropheus crabro, 1 demasoni, 3 pim pictus, 1 bristlenose pleco. Ok, now onto the pics.

Empty tank and stand

Tank with heater and Fluval input/outflow.

Rocks

Gravel

Water

I'll add another pic when the water clears, and after it cycles I'll add pics of the fish.

 

[mitchie]

Off to a good start, but are you planning on adding any plants or more rock structures? Things just look a little bare to me. I wish I had a 75 gallon tank, I envy you.

 

[dthoffsett]

I'm planning on adding another layer or two or rocks. No plants though, mbuna's enjoy rearranging them too much. I kind of like the minimalist look as the fish stand out since they are the only "color" in the tank.

 

[ceilidhgirl]

i really like the way you've arranged your rocks

can't wait to see your updates

 

[steph04]

Hi,

You have a nice looking tank, although I agree that it's probably worth adding some more rockwork.

I have a 4' 50G mbuna tank and I've used scottish cobbles and pebbles for decor (I've tried ocean rock in the past, but I've found that the fish can occasionally damage themselves on the sharp edges). The way that works best for me is to have the cobbles stacked up to surface level at the 2 back corners and then the level of rocks dropping towards the middle of the tank. This way provides the fish with lots of free swimming area in the centre, yet individual terratories (particularly for the more dominant males). I have also found that using this many rocks allows me to keep mbuna with a differing aggression levels together e.g. caeruleus and pseudotropheus flavus. (that doesn't mean I'd try to keep crabro and acei together though)

How are you cycling your tank? I used biomature and used mature sponges from my other tanks in order to do a fishless cycle. That way I could add 15 small mbuna at once - I've found in the past that it's easier to add a large number at once, so the newcomers don't get picked on. I also run 2 x fluval 404's and I find that this keeps my NH3 and NO2 levels at 0, although my NO3 levels get a bit high by the end of each week.

I've found out the hard way that mbuna are particularly susceptible to toxins. Last November I was decorating the hall when I dropped a tin of undercoat over the carpet. I have a carpet cleaner but unfortunately it was in my fish room which I had sealed off with duck tape in order to prevent fumes. I had to get the carpet cleaned though, so I legged it in and out of the room clutching the carpet cleaner and sealed up the door again.

The following morning half the stock of my mbuna tank was either dead or in the process of dying. I have 8 other tanks in there ranging from 20 litres to 530 litres with different stocks from larger general trops to endlers, oscars to tanganyikans etc., and all the other tanks were fine. I did a 40% water change on the mbuna tank and used 2 large poly filters and a large bag of carbon, and I lost a couple more mbuna by the following day, but luckily the deaths stopped there. Sadly among the dead I lost both of my female metriaclima sp long pelvics, my best female yellow lab, and my 2 female flavus. I can replace the lab and the flavus, but I'm struggling to get any more female sp long pelvics.

Anyway, before I waffle on too long , I've found the following all get on well, providing they have enough rockwork (I keep all my mbunas in a ratio of 1 male : 2+ females) :
Labidochromis caeruleus, Pseudotropheus Flavus, Labidochromis yellowtop hongi, red top ndumbi, melanochromis cyaneorhabdos, metriaclima callainos, metriaclima estherae, metriaclima sp long pelvic, cynotilapia afra white, and albino metriaclima greshakei. All have bred well with the exception of the greshakei and the ndumbi.

The only mbunas I've found particularly awkward (aggressive so and so's) either at work or at home are auratus, crabro, demasoni (although they're georgeous looking fish), labeotropheus, and lombardoi (which caused world war 3 in my tank one afternoon).

Good luck with your new tank, I hope you'll put some more pictures on soon.

Cheers

Steph.

 

[denis coghlan]

Looks great. Are you only going to cycle the tank with the fluval external (only one in the pics) or have you added the Aqua Clear 70 since you have taken these photos. If you havent I would recommend that you put both the filter on now so that they will both be properly inoculated.

Keep the pics coming

 

[dthoffsett]

I have both filters on the tank. You just can't see the Aqua Clear because it's hidden by the light. I'm doing a fishless cycle with pure ammonia. The AC was running on my 29gal for over a month, and I added a stocking with gravel into the Fluval to give the cycle a jump start. I'll be adding my entire stocking at once. Steph04, I never intended to put acei w/crabro, I'm just trying to decide between an aggressive set up w/the crabros and greshaki, or more peaceful w/the zebras and acei. And I figure 1 demasoni can't cause too much trouble (cross my fingers), I'd love to have around 15 of them, but the only LFS that sells them wants 18.99 a piece, too expensive for me.

The tank has finally cleared up, and I'll add another pic in the morning.

Thanks everyone for the positive comments.

 

[dthoffsett]

Well, the water has cleared up so I took another pic. I'm on day 2 of my cycle, and the next several weeks are just going to drag by. I just can't wait to add fish. They're going to be so pretty. Ok, I'm rambling now, on the the picture.

 

[Ginge]

What lighting is on the tank???

 

[withington]

dam u got the filter bigger them me i got the 403 one hehe 45 pounds from pets at home cost yours ?
and is that tank brand new ?

 

[dthoffsett]

Ginge, I haven't the slighted idea what kind of light. It came w/the tank, it's a singe bulb, w/metal reflectors, it darn near lights my whole living room up when it's on.

Withington, yes the tank is new. The filter was $80 US on www.thatpetplace.com

 

[dthoffsett]

Well, thought I'd add an update. My cycle is finally in progress. Unfortunately the first ammonia testing kit I had used was bad. After the cycle had gone on for 2 weeks with no results, I got a new test kit. My ammonia level was off the charts. So, 2 75% water changes later, my cycle started to progress. I now have a nitrite spike, so it shouldn't be too much longer. All I need now are more rocks and fish. LOL.

 

[Ginge]

Good luck for when you get your fish. Not gonna get a mate for your new BN??? Be prepared for lots and lots of cichlids fry.

 

[dthoffsett]

After the tank matures I'll add around 3 pim pictus, so I'm sure they'll help clean up the extra fry. They sure do breed like rabbits though.

 

[Ginge]

Not thought of raising them then???