Decided On A 160 Gallon Mbuna Aquarium - Help!

[KingKenny]

I've been umming and aaring about what sort of Tropical Fish to get for a while now. I've always wanted a good community set up, but due to the high PH of my water (about 7.7-7.9) I have decided to take the advice of some people on here and go with this type pf set up.

My Tank is the Rena 201cmx70cmx51cm (there or there abouts) and holds about 160 gallons. Not sure on useful volume. This is easily big enough for the kind of set up I want. While my tank fishlessly cycles I have a number of questions:

1) The tank has initially been set up to act as a community tank. Will I be able to keep plants such as Java Moss/Riccia and other typically found aquarium plants in this set up. I like the green effect in an aquarium.

2) I have numerous large and expensive pieces of Bogwood in my tank. Can I keep these as again, I like the effect they give.

3) Rocks of course are a necessity. I have sand as substrate which is already in. I will buy rocks but is it easier to empty the tank of sand and start placing the rocks on the bottom of the glass?

4) I'm a sucker for brightly coloured Cichlids like the Electric Yellow and Blue, or anything with the same sort of intensity of colour. What fish are recommended for me to get?

5) I plan to breed these fish. Can someone tell me how much good Cichlids often go for at LFS's?

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[mamafish68]

1. I have 3 main tanks (Haps, Mbuna, Tangs) and the only one where plants survive is the tanganyikan tank.

2. wood softens water bringing down the Ph needed for most Africans.

3. you could easily scrape sand aside, put down egg crate and bring the sand & rocks on top of it.

4. this depends on which NONplant eating species you like. www.cichlid-forum.com in the PROFILES area is a good place to look.

5. ranges can be huge, from $3 bucks to $10.+ it all depends on size, rarity & lfs

from your numbers you gave your tank is 190 gallons or there abouts. Remeasure and check here: http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/calculator.php



in the library section theres also some big help under "cookie cutter" area

Id rather see you research your own fish then me tell you what (I) think should go into it. You clearly have the experience already

 

[KingKenny]

Ok i've had a look around and see the following Cichlids I like: The first group are all Lake Malawi apparantly.

Cobalt Blue Zebra Cichlid
Red/Cherry Zebra
Electric Yellow Lab
Auratus Cichlid (Golden Mbuna)
Midnight Peacock
Ngara Flametail
New Yellow Regal Peacock Cichlid
Ice Blue Zebra
Spothead Hap
Ruby Red Cichlid
Blue Ahli
Giraffe Hap
Malawi Blue Dolpin

I also like the Jewell Cichlid which is an African River one.

Are all Lake Malawi Cichlids compatible or do I have to watch out for grouping sub sepcies together i.e numerous Zebra Cichlids.

 

[Ferris]

In a tank that big, many of the usual rules can be ignored. Despite the greatly varying aggression levels of the fish you've listed, i don't see any reason why it won't work in a 160 gal tank.

I would still forget the Jewels though, they are just too different to Mbuna and can be really vicious.

 

[KingKenny]

In a tank that big, many of the usual rules can be ignored. Despite the greatly varying aggression levels of the fish you've listed, i don't see any reason why it won't work in a 160 gal tank.

I would still forget the Jewels though, they are just too different to Mbuna and can be really vicious.

Cheers for the advice on the Jewell's. Can you tell me should I have dark or light substrate to house Mbuna Cichlids?

 

[mark7616]

Its your own personal choice i have a nice gravel in my tank with mine.

 

[Ferris]

Yep, pick what you like, i've kept then with normnal gravel, fine gravel and sand.

 

[fishykisses]

a good tip i was given is to avoid similar looking cichlids in the same tank to lessen aggression.

 

[Ferris]

That is a very good tip but in a 160 gal tank, not so much of a problem. There is plenty of room for them to avoid each other. I think a tank that size means you don't have to overstock to keep aggression down, no need to cram them in with all that space.

Would love to see some pics when its up and running

 

[KingKenny]

That is a very good tip but in a 160 gal tank, not so much of a problem. There is plenty of room for them to avoid each other. I think a tank that size means you don't have to overstock to keep aggression down, no need to cram them in with all that space.

Would love to see some pics when its up and running

Yeah will do, but I'm unfortunately only three days into a fishless cycle! Need to try and get some rocks sorted. Whatever type of fish I get, it will have to include the Yellow Lab I think.

Will the fish in your signature go with that fish?

 

[mamafish68]

JUST IMAGINE

all the decoration possibilities!!! TALLL PLANTS IMHO

it's so frusterating seeing big gorgeous tanks and all the plants are limited to 18", looks kinda funny so GO TALL!!

 

[KingKenny]

JUST IMAGINE

all the decoration possibilities!!! TALLL PLANTS IMHO

it's so frusterating seeing big gorgeous tanks and all the plants are limited to 18", looks kinda funny so GO TALL!!

Can you recommend types of plant mamafish. Cichlids are a pain for digging them up aren't they?

And is there a good way to minimise potential for them to be dug up?

 

[Ferris]

Will the fish in your signature go with that fish?

In that tank....yes. Its a Pseudotropheus Demasoni, very aggressive but actually tend to go well with labs as the labs are placid by mbuna standards and pose no real threat.

 

[mamafish68]

LOLOL SORRY you haveme mistaken for a REAL PLANT person



I"M NOT!!! trust me hahahhaa

nooo, I meant the fake kind, silks are gorgeous and look more real then any plastics IMHO

 

[Ferris]

nooo, I meant the fake kind, silks are gorgeous and look more real then any plastics IMHO

I'll second that, real plants are harder to keep alive than the fish