Help Me Stock My 55 Gallon Please

[davisef]

This site has been so helpful for me that I wanted to make sure that I got some feedback on a new tank setup. I will have a 55 gallon with two Penguin 350's and an undergravel filter.

Currently the tank is empty, but I plan on cycling it using the filter media from my 37 gallon.

I want some Malawi Mbunas, specifically:

Labidochromis caeruleus (Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid)

AND

Pseudotropheus socolofi (Powder Blue Cichlid) / OR / Sciaenochromis ahli

I'm planning on doing 6-7 juveniles of each, and then pulling out all but one of the males.

I'm looking for suggestions for some other fish to put in the tank, but I would be happy with just the two different cichlids. My water from the tap is VERY hard and has a PH of 6.8 - Rises to 7.2 or so if you leave it sit out for a day. My current tank always reads 6.8, as I use water direct from the tap (CL removed of course)

What do I need to do to the water to make it compatible? I was thinking that a crushed coral substrate may do the trick.

How is my stocking? More or less - I hear a little overstocking can help cut aggressiveness between the fish. Are the above species compatible with the Electric Yellows, one better than the other?

Anyone know where these cichlids can be found in Metro Detroit, Michigan?

Thanks in advance

 

[BiffMalawi]

The crushed coral should help buffer your PH up to the desired 8.0.

Yellow labs are one of the least aggressive Africans. This can be limiting as far as tank mates go. I recently set up a low aggression Malawi tank. I have yellow labs and an assortment of peacocks. Peacocks come in many colours and definitely won't cause problems.

I was adviced by several people who have alot of experience that pretty much any of the Pseudotrophis family were too aggressive.

Pulling out males as they mature isn't a bad idea as they need about a 1male - 4female ratio. I think with all that filtering and a good maintenance schedule you stocking number sounds reasonable.

 

[africantigerfish7]

If you want to add the pseudos, add the other fish first and let them claim their territories. Then a few months later add the aggressive fish at the size where the peaceful ones are just barely unable to fit the new cichlids in their mouth. As for the pH, you could do that or buy the ph buffers, which are fairly cheap. Good luck !

 

[davisef]

Thanks, I didn't realize that the pseudos were that much more aggressive. I think I will letting the yellow labs grow out a bit.

 

[dthoffsett]

I'd go with the labs and socolofi, the blue and yellow combo is stunning. I have M. Callainos (cobalt zebras) and they look really good together. As for another species, I'd add Pseudotropheus Acei, they stay towards the top, and they work as dithers for the labs who are naturally pretty reclusive.

 

[davisef]

I think the blue and yellow looks great together too!!

Go Blue!!! Hail to the victors!!!

Aren't these hybrids?

 

[mamafish68]

labs & acei get my vote but my biggest concern is that out dated UGF you have in there.



they become useless (even more then they are) when you toss in diggers into the tank.



take out the UGF and feed it to the trash can.

ps. go to www.cichlid-forum.com and look in the LINKS section at the bottom, you will find a "retailers area that you can put in your zip code I think and it gives you a list of stores/breeders and you can even find a cichlid club for your area.

 

[Boids-n-more]

i disagree about the UGF. i use them in all my cichlid tanks. I do set them up differently than most people. For example on one of mt tanks i have mt canister filter hooked up to one side of the UGH and on the other sode i got my aquaclear hooked up. When i do my weekly water changes i just vaccum the gravel and all is good. I also don't know if i 'm lucky or what but i have never has any cichlid dig down to the UGF plates. If you do want to get rid of yours just send it to me i'll be glad to take it off your hands.

I did forget if you use sand the UGF will be useless and are you hooking the power heads up to the UGF ?

 

[davisef]

Well, I finally picked up the 55 gallon tank. It has different filtration than I expected. There's a H.O.T. Magnum cannister filter, a large (10 Gallon maybe?) wet/dry filter (I'm not sure about this, there's a big acrylic box filled with bio balls, and a round filter underneath - pictures upon request). The HOT Magnum does 250gph, and the eheim pump for the wet/dry is 634gph. There's also two bio-wheels. No UGF present at all.

Will this be sufficient filtration?

Do I have to install the wet/dry?

Suggestions, I'm overwhelmed....I understand HOB filters, but the rest is an enigma.

 

[Boids-n-more]

yes all that filtration will be enough. Pics would be nice for people to help set that up is it drilled , or does it have an overflow system. yes the wet dry should be installed.

 

[davisef]

yes all that filtration will be enough. Pics would be nice for people to help set that up is it drilled , or does it have an overflow system. yes the wet dry should be installed.

I'm using the eheim filter to push through a HOT Magnum with a bad motor. At the return I'm using two Bio Wheel pro 60's. Then I'm installing a return off of the pump before the HOT Magnum so that I can regulate flow through the cannister. I'm hoping that will be enough. No UGF. Bubble wall aeration. Hope this does it.

Not going to put the wet dry in use. Too much hassle, (I know they work great). I am concerned about pumping 55 gallons on top of my neighbor below and don't want to spend the money on the necessary safty shut-offs.