75g Mbuna Journal

[wslinky]

Did another test and seems weird, will test again later to make sure these result are accurate since it doesn't seem right.

NH3~4 ppm
NO2=0
NO3~5 ppm
GH=23*
pH~8.3

The NO3 (nitrates) shouldn't be going up if the NO2 (nitrites) are still 0 right? I did test right after I added some dechlorinater and cycle could that be skewing my results?

My tank is still very cloudy, hopefully when I finally get the second filter that will be fixed.

Full Tank

Left Side

Right Side

A better shot of the 'Skull" rock, it is much easier to see with the new setup.

 

[wslinky]

I waited a few hours and retested and got the same results, actually I think the Nitrates have gone up, is how is this possible? Could it be that the cycle had enough bacteria to start the Nitrite bacteria and they are keeping up with the low quantity of NH3 bacteria?

 

[fishfishfish]

that looks great!i think u need to throw in a few synos to ur stock.then ud be set

 

[wslinky]

that looks great!i think u need to throw in a few synos to ur stock.then ud be set

I was thinking of adding some Clown Loaches, but am not sure since they get so big. I was doing some research as to what else I could put in with the Mbunas. Is the "Upside Down Cat" the only one or is it any in the Synos family?

 

[Ferris]

Pretty much all the syno family should be fine with Mbuna - the thing you need to research is their compatibility with each other, most are fine in groups but some are OK kept singularly etc.

 

[wslinky]

I did some looking last night and I think I want to go with the Synodontis Njassae if I can find some. How many could I keep, I was thinking 4-5? If I can't find any of these I am not sure what I will add.

I am going to post my cycle problem in a separate topic to see if I can get more replies.

 

[dthoffsett]

I did some looking last night and I think I want to go with the Synodontis Njassae if I can find some. How many could I keep, I was thinking 4-5? If I can't find any of these I am not sure what I will add.

I think 4-5 would work just fine.

 

[wslinky]

I did some looking last night and I think I want to go with the Synodontis Njassae if I can find some. How many could I keep, I was thinking 4-5? If I can't find any of these I am not sure what I will add.

I think 4-5 would work just fine.

I talked to the LFS and they said if I bring in the names of the fish I want they can try and order them but no guarantees. Is there anywhere you can recommend online in the states for the Cats specifically, I think I can find the rest locally.

Thanks

 

[wslinky]

I had to take the hood off the tank to apply the back ground so while it was off I remeasured the tank and it the dimensions I had were a little off, so it is actually an 80g 48x18x22. Not that that makes much of a difference but thought I would update everyone.

 

[wslinky]

Well the cycle is going, starting last night my tank can process about 4ppm of NH3 in <8 hours, now I am waiting for the NO2 to drop to a measurable level. Is there a test kit for testing higher NO2, I am curious if it is coming down at all.

I went to Petsmart yesterday and got a few plants unfortunately 1 of the plants I picked isn't really an aquatic plant so I will be removing it. None of the close LFSs have good plants so tomorrow I will be going to one that is a bit further away but usually has a great selection of plants. I will post some pictures tomorrow after I get the plants in.

 

[dthoffsett]

Sounds like it's going good so far. Looking forward to pic.

 

[wslinky]

Looks like I will be upgrading my lights, found someone on ebay that is selling a 4x65 CFL for $105. Since that is about what it would cost me for a 2x65 normally I am going to buy it. I also bought a Fluval 405 last sat but I haven't received it yet.

I went to the LFS today and got some plants, I got 3 crypts, 2 swords, 2 anubias, and a bunch of wisteria, and a couple Corkscrew Vals. I am hoping the plants can get situated and start thriving before I start adding fish. I also got a surface skimmer for the 304.

Here are a few pictures, the water is cloudy and the glass is dirty...

Full Tank

Anubias in "Skull" Rock

Small Crypt, I got 3 all about this size

1 of the 2 Swords

 

[dthoffsett]

Looking great! I especially like the "skull rock".

 

[caboose_122]

looking good so far i also like the skull rock.

alex

 

[kj23502]

I did some looking last night and I think I want to go with the Synodontis Njassae if I can find some. How many could I keep, I was thinking 4-5? If I can't find any of these I am not sure what I will add.

I think 4-5 would work just fine.

I talked to the LFS and they said if I bring in the names of the fish I want they can try and order them but no guarantees. Is there anywhere you can recommend online in the states for the Cats specifically, I think I can find the rest locally.

Thanks

Hi, I can give you a suggestion about ordering fish!

This one has a ton of Synodontis.. I haven't ordered from them, but you can read it over and call them if you have ?'s.

Catfish here too! They seem really good too!

Another fish site I haven't bought from this one yet, but my brother in law recommended them. He has a 150 gallon saltwater tank. Easiest thing to do is type in synodontis in the search and it'll bring up some.

Another...Are you getting tired of looking yet...LOL! This was also recommended by my bro in law. I have purchased some supplies from them and called with a question. They shipped really fast and the gal was polite and answered my ?. Shipping isn't too bad either. One of my orders was 60lbs of sand and shipping was 10.99. Pretty good deal, I thought! The price of the sand was cheaper than from my LFS even with shipping!

The main reason I haven't ordered fish yet is b/c I'm still setting up my 125 gallon!!! Hard to order many more fish when I barely have the room in the other tank for the ones I have!!

___edit____

BTW... Great tank!! Looks Good!