My "malawi" Set-up

[fry_lover]

Hi

This is going to be a huge post, i am not sure how many people will be replying as it will be a lot of information to take on board, but i have time on my side. I want to re-organise my set-up to better facilitate longer term stability and a more suitable mix of fish. I haven't really got any problems with it right now, but as you will see from the stock, something's got to give!! I am aiming to make the adjustments over the next month or so......... PICTURES WILL BE ADDED


Brief History
It's been this way for a while, i would guess about 4 or 5 months, no additions in that time. About half the fish in this tank i inherited with the tank, a mixture of Mbuna and Haps I added some non-malawi fish that i had (tangs mostly) and thus far it has worked out. I also researched into how to meet both set's of fish's dietary requirements. I also purchased some small Copadichromis Borleyi "Kadango"

Fortunately, i cant recall any disease, signs of disease or deaths in this set-up


Tank and Equipment
Rio 300, 48" long, 24" high and 20" deep. Holds 300 litres, 81 US Gallons. Filtration is provided by x2 Eheim 2028's with spray bars. I have also recently added a Fluval 4+ internal filled with poly wool, mostly to increase water surface agitation, not that i saw a problem, i just thought it wise, as i read on this forum (Ferris) about "turnover rates". With the three filters altogether i have approx 10 litres of Biological Filtration, 5 litres of Mechanical Filtration and a total "flow" in the tank (specification wise) of 3096 litres per hour. Do you think having 33% of my filtration as mechanical is a good idea? Also see water param readings Obviously this doesnt take into consideration media getting clogged. Does this count as x10 Turnover? 3096 per hour in a 300 litre tank?


Decor and Set-Up
Mixture of Ocean Rock and Lava Rock, i kind of discovered this combination through trial and error and like the effect, see pics. My water params for this tank are the same as tap water and other tanks, so i dont believe the rocks affect the pH or hardness in anyway. Could be wrong. I use Argos play-sand, should i get a better type of sand or is there no difference really?

By looking at the pics, do you think my set-up is to "open" there are lots of holes and gaps in the rocks and also fish sometimes go behind all the rocks at the back of the tank, do you think from the pics it looks suitable for Mbuna (i am going to reduce non mbuna numbers in tank) or should i add some slate and make more "caves"


Water Params
I test a lot, mostly out of obsessive behaviour i think! I never get any significant readings. I've never had ammonia or nitrite show up and thats done weekly / 2-weekly with a variety of different kits over last few months. As most will testify, reading Nitrate is a bit of a chore. I have tried a few kits. Usually my tap water will come out anything between 10-30 mg/l and my Malawi set-up will register between 50-60 mg/l done just before a water change.

The pH and Hardness readings have always read the same as my tap water. The pH is between 7.5 and 8.0 but i would say a little closer to 8.0 region. Who know's exactly with these charts though!!! As for hardness, i have tested a couple of times and its come out at GH-210 and KH-130 (ppm). I believe this is 12-degrees GH and 7-degrees KH

I run the tank at about 78-79 F. Any comments on these parameter readings?


Maintenance
I believe in lots of water changes and fortunately i am pretty good with this. I do more than the average i guess. I aim for and usually always do 25-30% every 5 or 6 days. This way i know a minimum of 25-30% is getting done every week, even if i lapse by a day or two. On top of this general rule, one of these water changes in a month would be atleast 40%. I treat my tap water with Seachem Prime.

I usually only clean the filters out when i notice a reduction in the flow. I was wondering, if i clean my filters out more often could i reduce nitrate levels in the tank, as the water inside the cannisters is always virtually black! But the flow still often remains good and the sponges, ceramic media is not really that clogged?


Feeding
This is the average schedule, i dont stick to it religiously!!!
x2 days per week= Hikari Cichlid Excel pellets, various sizes, with a few sinking algae wafers thrown in
x2 days per week= Frozen, mixture of Artemia, Mysis and recently small amounts of cyclops as i have noticed quite a few Malawi Fry about
x1 day per week= Finally chopped up Courgette and also i will leave some Courgette stuck between rocks for about 24-36 hours
x1 day per week= Frozen Vegetable Mix with perhaps some Freeze Dried River Shrimp thrown in
x1 day per week= I don't feed at all

Any feedback on that routine and choice of foods?


Ok now the fish, its got a bit silly, but action will be taken. I am going to list all the fish and the current size with comments by each fish, some i know i am going to move on, others i am not sure about. This is where i would really like some feedback and advice about what you would do if this were going to be your Malawi Set-up It starts with all the fish i really do want to try and keep.

6x Labidochromis Caeruleus about 3-4" each
Really love these guys, they must stay. As per normal Yellow Lab, they dont cause any real aggro

3x Maylandia Greshakei 1 Male and 2 Females, females 2" and the male is 3"
Absolutely love the male, stunning and one of my fave fish, not too bad behaved, the ocassional chase of another Blue-Type Malawi but rarely. Loads of flirting with the females. Want to keep all 3 of these. I am pretty sure there is some Fry in the tank.

4x Maylandia Estherae One of them came with the tank and is about 4". He/She is the boss of the tank in that i think its the only fish i never see getting harassed. He/She will occasionally get stroppy with the Yellow Labs but nothing serious. The other x3 Red Zebras are about 1.5". I would like to keep all x4 really.

4 x Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Ngara). They are all about 2" at the moment, except for one that is a bit bigger at 2.5" and stunning to watch. I am pretty sure there is some fry and i have seen one female "holding" would that be possible? At this size?

2 x Labeotropheus Trewavasae Both about 2" to 2.5" i have done a seperate thread on these two as one is always chasing the other
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/22...eus-Trewavasae/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/22...eus-Trewavasae/[/URL]

3x Maylandia Pseudotropheus Zebra (Blue) These are about 2.5 to 3". I would like some confirmation on there ID and i will post a picture later


So, these are the fish i would really like to keep for sure

6 x Labidochromis Caeruleus
4 x Maylandia Pseudotropheus Zebra (Blue)
4 x Maylandia Estherae
4 x Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Ngara)
1 x Maylandia Greshakei
2 x Labeotropheus Trewavasae

I know many of them are not full size adults yet, what do you think about this mix in my tank (81 Gallons as described above)



These are fish that are in the tank that i would like to keep ideally as i find they complement the tank very well and i havent had any problems and they all seem to be doing good, BUT i know really i should not have them? What do you think, especially considering the above list that i REALLY want to keep, try and be flexible if you can and consider my committment to water changes etc (although i cant prove this lol), but ultimately hit me with the truth!

3x Neolamprologus Tretocephalus each about 2"

1x Julidochromis about 3" i have x2 and ideally would like to keep 1 (see below!!!)

1x Neolamprologus Meeli about 1.5" a little shell-dweller, i should not have purchased, but had him months now and he seems to be doing fine

2x Kadango Cichlid - Copadichromis Borleyi I have x4 of these at present, again a dubious purchase off of a Malawi Breeding friend of mine, my concern and your's maybe is the eventual size of these. They are only about 1.5 to 2" at present. Could i get away with keeping a couple? I doubt it?

x1 As of yet not throughly identified yellow Malawi, see pics, like a yellow lab but not, about 2" big and a bit dominatnig over the yellow lab, please see picture that is coming, i need an ID and i am not sure if i am keeping it


These fish are going/need to go (to good homes, i will do my best for them)

1x Aulococara Stunning, very metallic shiney blue head, about 4" and is bullying all my Yellow Labs

At least x1 if not both of my Julidchromis, they are a Marleri and a Dickfeldi that have been breeding for a while in there and i am over run with about x50 fry that range between 5mm and 1". I have already moved some of the bigger fry into a seperate tank. These two keep going at it! They have their own territory about 6" in diameter in the middle of tank. They actually dont cause too much aggro, i am amazed so many fry have survived. It's wondering parenting, but overwhelming the tank in sheer numbers. Obviously the fry are hybrids but they look 100% Dickfeldi. Here's my earlier thread about this issue
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/21...hromis-Hybrids/"]http/www.fishforums.net/content/forum/21...hromis-Hybrids/[/URL]

x2 Algae Eaters and x1 Bristlenose i just dont feel i need them in there, although i have nothing against them




So if you want to just slip one bit of feedback in, go for it, or better still respond to as many individual issues as possible

Thanks, pictures to follow



what is this yellow Malawi please?

My lovely male Greshaki, no picture does him justice, EVER!!!!

Male Greshaki again, hanging out with x1 Yellow Lab and x1 Yellow Malawi (top, what is it?)

How the set-up looks in general (shall it be changed?) The Male Kenyi was moved on a while ago

More general pics of layout

Julidochromis Dickfeldi

Julidochromis Marlieri

is this a Maylandia Pseudotropheus Zebra (Blue), sorry for bad picture, will see if i can find another

Young Kadango

Neolamprologus Tretocephalus

 

[dthoffsett]

Ok, let me see what I can do to help. I apologize in advance if I start rambling, I've been fighting a cold and am doped up on cold meds. So if I say something that doesn't make sense, just ask.

Do you think having 33% of my filtration as mechanical is a good idea? Also see water param readings Obviously this doesn't take into consideration media getting clogged. Does this count as x10 Turnover? 3096 per hour in a 300 litre tank?

I think your filtration sounds just fine.

I use Argos play-sand, should i get a better type of sand or is there no difference really?
By looking at the pics, do you think my set-up is to "open" there are lots of holes and gaps in the rocks and also fish sometimes go behind all the rocks at the back of the tank, do you think from the pics it looks suitable for Mbuna (i am going to reduce non mbuna numbers in tank) or should i add some slate and make more "caves"

I used aragonite sand (marketed for saltwater tanks) to buffer my PH, but play sand works just fine for mbuna. From your pics, your rock work looks perfect for them.

Any comments on these parameter readings?

Parameters sound fine, as long as your nitrate stays under 100ppm there's nothing to worry about.

I was wondering, if i clean my filters out more often could i reduce nitrate levels in the tank, as the water inside the cannisters is always virtually black! But the flow still often remains good and the sponges, ceramic media is not really that clogged?

Since your Fluval just has polywool in it (mechanical filtration) you can rinse that out once a week or every two weeks. The canisters I'd only clean when the water flow reduces, it's better not to disturb the biological media unless necessary. I usually only clean my canister out every 3-4 months.

Any feedback on that routine and choice of foods?

Sounds like they get a better diet than I do. Stick with it.

6 x Labidochromis Caeruleus
4 x Maylandia Pseudotropheus Zebra (Blue)
4 x Maylandia Estherae
4 x Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Ngara)
1 x Maylandia Greshakei (didn't you want to keep all 3 of them?)
2 x Labeotropheus Trewavasae (I'd add another female or two)

Also, just a note, Maylandia has been changed to Metriaclima.

IMHO, you are fully stocked with the mbuna, especially if you add a couple more female l.trewavasae. While overstocking mbuna is recommended, you don't want to just pack your tank full of fish, and with the great hiding places, you will probably have a few fry survive as well. Though that's just my opinion, I'd see what Ferris or Waterbender thinks as well.

As far as the yellow fish, could you get a few more pictures? I'm leaning towards a young male m.estherae, they'll sometimes have a blue sheen to them.


Hope that helps a little (and made sense). -Dawn

 

[caboose_122]

i completely agree with dthoffsett, i would add one or two more female L. Trewavasae
and your tank is looking good

 

[fry_lover]

thanks Dawn and Caboose

 

[paul_219]

Nice pictures gr8 tank and cichilds u got.

 

[fry_lover]

thank you Paul

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Love the Trewavasae. I keep them myself. They breed much like everything else.
Set-up looks lovely and filtration sounds excellent. I do find mine sometimes clog but mine are kept with large synos so not suprising.
No reason you shouldn't have a great many fry survive. I know mine do!
Only minor conern is the little shelldweller. As the Malawis get larger some can be rough and he might find them a bit much. Especially with the likes of Alunocara, which I know you want to rehome. I've found a number of mine really dislike the yellow labs. Had a pair years ago for just a few days and had to rehome them due to the amazing amount of aggression towards them.
P.

 

[fry_lover]

Love the Trewavasae. I keep them myself. They breed much like everything else.
Set-up looks lovely and filtration sounds excellent. I do find mine sometimes clog but mine are kept with large synos so not suprising.
No reason you shouldn't have a great many fry survive. I know mine do!
Only minor conern is the little shelldweller. As the Malawis get larger some can be rough and he might find them a bit much. Especially with the likes of Alunocara, which I know you want to rehome. I've found a number of mine really dislike the yellow labs. Had a pair years ago for just a few days and had to rehome them due to the amazing amount of aggression towards them.
P.

Yep, i will watch the Shelly, although its been a good few months (not a great buy at the time) and it seems to be doing well, always out in the open, i dont see anyone start on it, and it feeds well. I was going to re-home it, but found no takers.

The Aulonocara is gone now....... you might see this set-up soon! Although, i still need to stress these guys more at some point in the next few weeks, as i am moving the tank to a different position in the lounge and want to re-organise the rock work in it anyway.

Right, as for today

The final stock list has been decided. I just need to sort out all the Julidochromis fry i am left with.

Just a reminder, the re-homing was based on (a) reducing the bio-load and number of fish to make better sense longer term and (B) becoming more Mbuna focused in the tank

It might not be a stock that will last for years in this 300 litre, but i am happy where its at right now, and i think i have some time on my side.

All the following were re-homed today (well sold at a low price to someone i know)

- The breeding pair of Julidochromis
- 2x Kadango Cichlid - Copadichromis Borleyi (i will keep other 2)
- Unidentified yellow Mbuna
- Aulonocara
- My larger Chinese Algae Eater
- The Bristlenose

So.... what will remain is this

MBUNA
6 x Labidochromis Caeruleus
4 x Maylandia Pseudotropheus Zebra (Blue) or otherwise as of yet not-identified Mbuna basically
4 x Maylandia Estherae
4 x Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Ngara)
2 x Labeotropheus Trewavasae
3 x Maylandia Greshakei

HAPS
2 x Copadichromis Borleyi

TANGS (was a close call, decided to keep)
3 x Neolamprologus Tretocephalus
1x Neolamprologus Meeli

OTHER
1 x Chinese Algae Eater

The CAE might not be one, i am not sure, its the golden "sucking loach" type thing, all i know is it hasn't grown in ages, is about 2" now and thus far is completely non-aggressive. I will keep an eye out. I didnt really feel i needed it, but i kind of like the thing!

I took out all the rocks when netting the surplus fish, rescued a few mixed fry (very small) which i will grow on for a few weeks or a month or so in my 2-footer Guppy and Endler fry tank, to see what species they are.

It's not quite the "big" re-organise i had in mind, thats because i have kept some of those Tangs.

But i think with removing the amazingly prolific breeding Julies and shortly all their fry out and the Aulonocara who was becoming a bit troublesome, it should all help for the longer run.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Sounds excellent and I look forward to seeing it! Did you find a home for that syno you have?
If you ever want some Labidochromis Perlmutt or Labidotropheus Fuellborni you have but to ask, although the Fuellborni can be somewhat rough. And they breed like rabbits.
P.

 

[fry_lover]

Sounds excellent and I look forward to seeing it! Did you find a home for that syno you have?
If you ever want some Labidochromis Perlmutt or Labidotropheus Fuellborni you have but to ask, although the Fuellborni can be somewhat rough. And they breed like rabbits.
P.

The Syno is still hanging out in "last chance saloon" as i never see it! I have PM you about that issue and also your mbuna young!