Need Malawi Cichlid Help

[FishySarah]

Ok...please don't flame me. I got this 55 gallon tank for free from a friend- came with stand and fake plants and rocks. Figured I had to cycle. The, I was driving around and saw a pet store going out of business. I figured I could get some cheap supplies for my other tanks (a 29 gallon, 2 10 gallons and a 5 gallon) and went in. Well, I told the guy that I had a 55 gallon that wasn't cycled, so I couldn't get any fish. HE offered me the filter he had been running in his 55 gallon (it has a huge 70 on it, and is gigantic) and said it would cycle the tank. He also offered me gravel.

And a ton of rocks and caves (I already had a bunch) Then he offered me a tank of African Cichlids. About 20 fish, each an inch or so long. He said it was all or none. All this for 25 dollars, plus he threw in a few hermit crabs for my terrarium.

Anyway, I was kind of stupid in accepting them, I guess, without doing any research. Thats why I say please don't flame me.

Going around the net, I think this is what I have:

About six yellow labs
About six Red Zebras
A few Kenyi African
POSSIBLY a few Auratus- though these are gray with a dark gray stripe
One that is pale almost white don't know what it is

I keep hearing how aggressive they are but so far they have been coinciding peacefully- there was a little chasing when I first put them in but now everything seems fine.

I bought cichild pellets for them, but they are too big. I'm hoping I can crush them or I may have to buy more.

All I know is, I should have gotten crushed coral, but its too late for that.

I need hard water. My friend gave me a ph testing kit and ph adjuster, but I've been told those are bad.

Lots of caves and rocks. This I have got sorted. At least three or four huge rocks, and a ton of ornaments/caves and plants, hiding places galore.

I really, really really want to do right by these fish, and not loose a one. Please help me take care of them.

Oh, and one more thing- is it possible to have too much filtration? I want to stick a few more filters in there, or will the force of the water blow those poor fish around the tank?

Thanks...

 

[Davo86]

Ok, first things first you will need to test the water parameters to see just how mature the filter you received really was,

Does it have a brand name or have a info plaque that tells you the litres or gallons per hour?

You can never really have too mcuh filtration and with this type of setup it will be good to have a high turnover,

I would try and get pictures of the fish you are unsure of so these can be id'd,
having multiple Kenyis and Auratus will become a big issue, especially as they mature.

 

[FishySarah]

Ok, first things first you will need to test the water parameters to see just how mature the filter you received really was,

Does it have a brand name or have a info plaque that tells you the litres or gallons per hour?

You can never really have too mcuh filtration and with this type of setup it will be good to have a high turnover,

I would try and get pictures of the fish you are unsure of so these can be id'd,
having multiple Kenyis and Auratus will become a big issue, especially as they mature.

I don't after all think they are Aurtus, because they are still only an inch long but have no yellow- just gray with a darker gray stripe running down the side. There are two or three of them (it's hard to keep them straight, they are all over the place, and mostly in and out of rock tunnels)

The filter is a Aqua 70. I got it used. I just added an Aqua 110. The guy said both filters had been up and running for a while. I will still check water parameters though. Should I test now? The tank has only been up for barely 24 hours.

 

[Teuchter]

Hi,

The biggest threat to your stock right now is ammonia / nitrite if your filter is not fully mature. Get a testing kit and test daily for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. If you find ANY ammonia or nitrites start doing daily water changes. Do yourself a favour and get a Python hose if you can - this will make water changes SO much easier for you.

Once you have established that the filter is working adequately, and you have enough filtration (aim for at least 6 - 8 times the capacity of your tank per hour throughput) then you can start thinking longer term about pH. Suggest if you don't have Aragonite gravel (crushed coral) you consider replacing the gravel you have with it. Aragonite will keep your pH steady at around 8.0.

If you can give us details of your filter and tank test readings we may be able to advise further.

EDIT: just seen your filter details - are these "hang on back" type filters? Do you have bio-chips in them?

 

[Teuchter]

.......I figured I could get some cheap supplies for my other tanks (a 29 gallon, 2 10 gallons and a 5 gallon) and went in.

Just a suggestion - could you take some filter material / gravel from one of your established tanks to use in the new 55 gal? I did that when I got a new tank and I had no noticeable "cycle" at all.

 

[dthoffsett]

Can you post pics on your fish? If so, we should be able to ID them for you.

As others have said you'll need to test your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate and do water changes accordingly. While they are still juvies, a total filtration turnover of 6-8 times per hour will be fine, once they are adults though your going to want to up that to 10+.

Once you are sure the tank is cycled you can work on the PH. Do you know your PH from the tap? While mbuna thrive at a higher PH they can be kept as low as 7.4 as long as the PH is stable, though they may be a little more susceptible to disease.

If you haven't already read them I'll add some links to check out for more info on keeping mbuna.

[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=299333"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=299333[/URL]
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=98179"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=98179[/URL]
[URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=27706"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=27706[/URL]