New Mbuna Tank

[flexxy]

Hello All,

I'm looking to get a new tank and getting rid of my 27 hex. Sadly the only tank i could fit is a 3 foot tank, probably a 38 gallon. I'd love to get a four foot tank (55gal) if i could but i don't think it can be done. I've kept tropical fish before, but this is my 1st attempt at cichlids. Giving the size of the tank I'm really looking at the smaller mbunas. I want to get:

4 P. Saulosi (1m/3f)
4 Red Zebra cichlids.

Also if i could fit them in, possibly a pair of Rusty Cichlids. With 10 fish in a 38 gallon tank, that's probably over stocked, isn't it? I understand I'd need a lot of hiding places and caves and such as well. Is drift wood acceptable in a mbuna tank? I wouldn't go crazy with tons of it, but one piece would be nice.

Any tips, ideas, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I've been doing a lot of reading on these fish, but im always looking for more info. Thanks!

 

[darrel69]

Im not that good with stocking, sorry. But i do know that drift wood should be avoided in an african tank. Drift wood would leech tanning into the water, send it a tea-like colour and lower your ph. I know you can get rid of the tanning if you boil it but it would still lower your ph after a period of time.

I think people can get away with one small peice in a large tank with ocean/limestine rock or coral sand that would in turn harden your water.

If i were you, id avoid.

 

[Matt_northants]

In a 3ft IMO your best option would be a Yellow Lab species tank.

 

[dthoffsett]

Actually, at 38gal the only mbuna I would consider stocking is pseudotropheus demasoni. Otherwise, I'd suggest looking at some of the smaller Lake Tanganikya species.

 

[flexxy]

If I could do a 55 gal tank, then would that work? And if i went with the Pseudotropheus Demasoni, I've read your best bet is go to with like 12, could i put some yellow labs in there with them? What else would go with the Demasoni? Lastly, I'm looking for a colorful tank, what would be some good choices from Lake Tanganyikan?

 

[caboose_122]

i have seen 33 gallon tanks with 12 demasoni and 3 yellow labs but a 55 gallon would benefit better for mbuna.

if you do get a 55 gallon i would for 12-15 fish 3 types with 4 of each species i would reccomend yellow labs, snow white socofoli, saulosi. like this.

yellow lab 4
snow white socofoli 1 male 3 female
saulosi 1 male 3 female.

i would invest in a 55 gallon you will be much happier!

 

[dthoffsett]

A 55gal would be so much better and open up your species options tremedously. If you get the 55, I'd go with 3 species of 1m/3f each.

Or you could go with 15 p.demasoni and 5 l.caeruleus (yellow labs), labs and demasoni are a stunning combination.

 

[flexxy]

I like the sound of the 3 species of 1m/3f , but after looking at the Demasoni they are nice. I like the sound of the 15 of them with 5 Yellow Labs. If I cut the Demasoni's down to say 12, could i stick in a couple Red Zebras? Also, what's the recomended substrate for a mbuna tank? I noticed an African Cichlid subtrate at my LFS, and i've also seen some tanks with a nice dark substrate which seemed to really bring out the colors of the fish. Any Recomendations? Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it

 

[caboose_122]

i personally wouldent put red zebras in with demasoni and yellow labs but you could try it. as for substrate i would go for argonite sand or crushed coral though argonite is better becuase mbuna like to dig around in the sand and shift it around. and i think you can get argonite sand in a few different colours.

 

[dthoffsett]

The only problem I can see with the red zebras and labs is that if there aren't enough females of both species you could have problems with hybridization.

As for substrate, as caboose mentioned sand would be best since they love to dig, you could go with aragonite sand (I love mine) to buffer your PH, or play sand (like for kid's sand boxes) which is inert. There is also black sand usually marketed at Tahitian Moon sand which is also inert.

 

[flexxy]

Thanks for all your help everyone! Im thinking i could squeeze a 55 gallon in, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Once I get going I'll keep everyone posted on how its going and get some pictures up! I'm excited to get started, but It might be a little bit. I liked the look of the aragonite so I'm thinking of going with that, and I'll probably pass on the Red Zebras, but I'm going to see what I could do. If i could get a good male to female ratio of the Yellow Labs and Red Zebras... I might try it. but we'll see what happens. Thanks again, everyone!!

 

[BORDER]

Thanks for all your help everyone! Im thinking i could squeeze a 55 gallon in, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Once I get going I'll keep everyone posted on how its going and get some pictures up! I'm excited to get started, but It might be a little bit. I liked the look of the aragonite so I'm thinking of going with that, and I'll probably pass on the Red Zebras, but I'm going to see what I could do. If i could get a good male to female ratio of the Yellow Labs and Red Zebras... I might try it. but we'll see what happens. Thanks again, everyone!!

I have a 3ft 120 litre tank ( but looking to upgrade soon - only for the reason it will provide them with more space and allow me to have a few more)

http/www.fishforums.net/content/African-...479/Mbuna-Tank/

have a read of my bottom post, may give you some more help