Madagascan Tank Adventure

[angelmouse]

Just managed to get a 6ftx18x20 of ebay for £10 with a eheim external filter. So now i can start my madagascan biotype aquaria.
Spent weekend washing sand, soaking bogwood, borrowing some musclely neighbours for lifting into position, cleaning and filling tank and researching madagascan plants of which there are'nt many, so i will have to compromise there unfortunately.
Have a internal filter with carbon and fine filter floss running at moment to clear water of impurities.
I will be running 2 eheim externals on this tank, one i have ready cycled from my old tank and the new one starting to cycle in another tank with some cloned filter media.
I have 2 heaters and just got new twin lighting unit and two tubes ( tubes were so expensive for this size tank gutted it nearly cleared me out LOL).
But saved money on the background by using blue A1 card, not sure wether i should have used black, it looks better black but my black polleni might be camouflaged against it.
So far:

filled

i will update you as i progess and rely you when i need help/advice lol
regards Angel

 

[Shrimper]

That tank was a bargain, it should look great when its finished...

Which fish are you thinking of keeping in there?

 

[Genesis]

Wow, you're from Bucks too!
That is one huge tank, I'm jealous!

Will be a lot of fun to stock

 

[kj23502]

How Exciting! I can't wait to see the progression!!

 

[Ferris]

How Exciting! I can't wait to see the progression!!

Ditto.

How are you managing to source your stock angel? Madagascan cichlids tend to be rare, have you managed to find someone that will order them in for you?

 

[angelmouse]

Had a visit to Wildwoods as they have paretroplus maculatus in, and have my large spot polleni pair. As most are on the highly endangered list or are extinct already in the wild there are afew breeders trying to keep them in circulation but they are not easy fish to breed. Madagascans do come up occasionally in the hobby, just have to be vigelant, paretroplus.menarambo are on my wish list so i will save space incase.
these are my newest additions swimming in a bare tank till plants arrive
paretroplus maculatus

and the Polleni, waiting for other fish to settle before i add them

regards Angel

 

[Shrimper]

Wow those Polleni look awsome, they remind me of a cartoon character but i can't think which one at the moment.

 

[kribensis12]

VER NICE! Angelmouse, im in love with your new fishy's! Your doing the MADAGASCAN wilderness a favor! Keep up with pic's!

 

[angelmouse]

Mnaged to get it all set up today with the filters set up at each end, that took longer than the landscaping and me and the floor were covered in water
Still need more plants but getting there, fish seem happy. I have hidden some large plastic tubes behind the bogwood in case the going gets rough and they need a place to chill.
The heaters both have guards as the polleni broke or munched on the last heater.
i have a lone silver dollar that was rescued with a free 3ft tank from a neighbour a while back, was going to rehome him as he was lonely and needed pals but i put him in and he has latched onto the paretroplus and is shoaling with them and is the happiest i have seen him, normally he sulks in a corner.

If anyone has any advice on how i can improve it, would love to hear it and maybe what fish to add.
Now i need to get hubby to make me a hood
regards Angel

 

[kj23502]

WOW!!! You did a FABULOUS job!! You must be so proud!

 

[MojoDex]

how much did the cichlids cost? i have never seen Madagascan cichlids for sale before but those polleni look stunning!! maybe one day soon

 

[darrel69]

Very nice work you've dont there !! And 10 quid for the tank ?!?! what a bargain !! Id love a long tank like that.... **checks piggy bank and logs onto ebay** .... lol maybe (definately) in future. Beautiful fish also !!