Managing Nitrate In A Malawi Tank.......

[Rio240]

Hi all. My first post on this site.

I'm about to set up a malawi cichlid tank. I'm reading all I can first to ensure I get the water and environment right, and looking to get hold of tips. I have had good success with discus in the past, so I'm not a complete cichlid novice, though I am a novice to the malawi's. I would particularly like to get hold of any experience-based tips from those of you with malawi experience, and would be extremely grateful.

I have a Jewel Rio240 tank (about 200L of water), and want to go for the tufa rock look (or artificial equivalent if my wallet will stretch) overall in the tank. I'm not sure what background would work best with that configuration, or what substrate to use. In addition to the usual filtration I had for keeping discus I am considering something like the deltec sulphur denitrator to help deal with the over-stocking bit, and to keep the tank as clear of algae as possible (since I don't plan to plant it very much and don't want green rocks!).

Any advice on managing nitrate in an over-stocked malawi tank, or even on stocking levels for my 4' tank would be gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks!

 

[dthoffsett]

I have a Jewel Rio240 tank (about 200L of water), and want to go for the tufa rock look (or artificial equivalent if my wallet will stretch) overall in the tank. I'm not sure what background would work best with that configuration, or what substrate to use.
I use black or blue poster boad on the backs of my tanks, it makes the tank look deeper, the fish stand out more, and isn't distracting like one of the picture background. For substrate, play sand is very popular and cheap, crushed coral works too and helps to keep up the PH and KH levels, most any substrate marketed for saltwater tanks will work with the exception of live sand. You can use standard aquarium gravel too, but malawi's like to sift through the sand and it's a shame to miss out on that.

I had for keeping discus I am considering something like the deltec sulphur denitrator to help deal with the over-stocking bit, and to keep the tank as clear of algae as possible (since I don't plan to plant it very much and don't want green rocks!)
Actually, algae growing on your rocks is considered a plus with malawis as they spend much of their day grazing on the algae. In fact that makes up at least 90% of their diet in the wild. I've found the best way to control nitrates in my tank is to do 50% water changes weekly, my nitrates are never over 5ppm. My tap water reads 0ppm so that helps too, as I've read several people on here have nitrates already present.

You tank holds around 52gal if I calculated right, so you could probably get away with the 55 gal link, I added a 40gal link too in case you want to stock a little lighter. However these are just suggestions, the best way is to go to your LFS and write down what they have available and then research them and post possible combinations on here.

http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_40g.php
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cookie_cutter_55g.php

 

[Rio240]

Many thanks, dthofsett - I'm grateful for the advice!