African cichlids for a 35 gallon

[yhbae]

Out of curiosity, how much would that cost you to build?

I'm asking because the other day, I saw a 78g tank on sale at Big Al's for $138 + tax (in CA$). This is the tank that I was considering buying for my next setup...

Also, are you going with 6ft x 1ft x 2ft (height) tank, or 6x2x2?

 

[Sean_Buckley]

I'm actually not sure how much it would cost to build. If it was 90 gallons (6'(long)x2'(wide)x1'(tall), what would the glass thickness have to be? If it was 135 gallons, what would the thickness have to be? (6x18"x2)
Sean

 

[Sean_Buckley]

OK, I've been doing some research and a lot of thinking, and I think I'll go with the 135 gallon tank, but make it a plywood tank. The final dimensions will be:
Length: 72 inches/6 feet
Height: 18 inches/1.5 feet
Width: 24 inches/2 feet
The back, and sides will be 3/4 inch-1 inch plywood, and the front will be 1/4 glass. The rest will be basic plywood tank building. Does anyone know what the best non-toxic water-proof paint would be? I live in Canada. Also, since this will be an Mbuna tank, the sides and back will be covered with a thin sheet of plexiglass so as not to scratch the paint.
Sean

 

[Sean_Buckley]

What can you suggest I put in this? I really want some Yellow Labs, some Rusties, and some Pseudoras saulosi (I dont know if the first part of the name is right).
Sean

 

[modernhamlet]

Well your mbuna options in a tank that size are almost endless. Those 3 are a great start. I have a million ideas (i always do! ), but I'll make just one suggestion: a large group of Psuedotropheus sp. Acei. They tend to occupied the middle/top part of the tank, unlike other mbuna and by my understanding actually school. I'm getting a group of 6-7 for my 75g this week. A group of 8-12 Acei in a 135g would be stunning.

 

[Sean_Buckley]

Thanks Modernhamlet,
I too love the Psuedotropheus acei. I will definetley get some. Does anyone know what I should use for the water-proof, non-toxic paint?
Sean