Hi everyone,
I thought I would setup this topic to show my tank developing. There are quite a few pictures in this first post.
Background
I've always liked Malawi cichlids and I wanted to create a tank which was both visually pleasing, whilst trying to keep it as natural as possible.
The tank is approximately 225l (dimensions 122cm wide, 30.5cm deep at start of bow, 48.5cm deep at max of bow and 43cm high). I brought the tank and cabinet second hand a few years ago, for less than half the original owner paid for the cabinet alone. Bargain!
The tank did need some work, as the handles were dated, the lights were past their best, the filter had completely died and you couldn't fit modern tubing through the cabinet holes at the back.
Equipment
I talked about this in the previous thread here.
Filter:
JBL Cristiprofi 1501 - I was thinking about getting the Fluval FX4 but it wouldn't fit inside of the cabinet, so I got the next biggest filter.
Heater:
Fluval E 200w.
Lighting:
Fluval Eco Bright LED 15W - other lighting ended up more expensive by the time I factored in custom tax.
Sand:
30kg of play sand.
Rock:
40kg of Seiryu rock.
Photos
I forgot how heavy tanks are, even when they haven't got any water in.
I brought a black background and some new handles. We also extended the holes in the back of the cabinet so the filter now fits. I'm not going to take any photos of them as a 5 year old could draw a straighter line, but at least it's smooth so the tubing won't get damaged.
In goes all the sand and the rocks. I think it took me half a day before I was happy with where the rocks are. Every time I thought I was finished, I sat down for 5 minutes then realised I didn't like it. I also think my other half got annoyed with me asking how it looks.
I know cichlids like caves, so I've made 3 (front right, back middle and back left). I'm sure they will decide they don't like them and create their own anyway.
Went out and brought a hose, so I could attach it to the kitchen tap. I didn't really fancy doing 100+ trips with a 2l bottle.
The tank is now completely full. I had to wait a day or so before taking this picture as the water was fairly cloudy from all the bubbles. I also managed to soak the carpet as I didn't quite put the filter lid on properly (hopefully that won't happen again).
Hope you guys like it. I'm thinking of stocking with the following:
I thought I would setup this topic to show my tank developing. There are quite a few pictures in this first post.
Background
I've always liked Malawi cichlids and I wanted to create a tank which was both visually pleasing, whilst trying to keep it as natural as possible.
The tank is approximately 225l (dimensions 122cm wide, 30.5cm deep at start of bow, 48.5cm deep at max of bow and 43cm high). I brought the tank and cabinet second hand a few years ago, for less than half the original owner paid for the cabinet alone. Bargain!
The tank did need some work, as the handles were dated, the lights were past their best, the filter had completely died and you couldn't fit modern tubing through the cabinet holes at the back.
Equipment
I talked about this in the previous thread here.
Filter:
JBL Cristiprofi 1501 - I was thinking about getting the Fluval FX4 but it wouldn't fit inside of the cabinet, so I got the next biggest filter.
Heater:
Fluval E 200w.
Lighting:
Fluval Eco Bright LED 15W - other lighting ended up more expensive by the time I factored in custom tax.
Sand:
30kg of play sand.
Rock:
40kg of Seiryu rock.
Photos
I forgot how heavy tanks are, even when they haven't got any water in.
I brought a black background and some new handles. We also extended the holes in the back of the cabinet so the filter now fits. I'm not going to take any photos of them as a 5 year old could draw a straighter line, but at least it's smooth so the tubing won't get damaged.
In goes all the sand and the rocks. I think it took me half a day before I was happy with where the rocks are. Every time I thought I was finished, I sat down for 5 minutes then realised I didn't like it. I also think my other half got annoyed with me asking how it looks.
I know cichlids like caves, so I've made 3 (front right, back middle and back left). I'm sure they will decide they don't like them and create their own anyway.
Went out and brought a hose, so I could attach it to the kitchen tap. I didn't really fancy doing 100+ trips with a 2l bottle.
The tank is now completely full. I had to wait a day or so before taking this picture as the water was fairly cloudy from all the bubbles. I also managed to soak the carpet as I didn't quite put the filter lid on properly (hopefully that won't happen again).
Hope you guys like it. I'm thinking of stocking with the following:
- 12 Pseudotropheus demasoni (3 male, 9 female)
- 5 Labidochromis caeruleus (1 male, 4 female)
- 5 Synodontis petricola (if I can find any) or maybe a single Syndontis granulosus (I've read they are very aggressive to their own species).
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