Setting Up A Mbuna Tank

[fish_keeper2]

i was wondering if any of you guys could tell me the best way to stack the rocks in a mbuna tank sepcificly for yellow labs.

 

[SamUK]

high otherwise the fish wont use the height of the tank and with plenty of caves.

you should aim for one cave per fish.

 

[mamafish68]

Go to the height YOUR comfy with, you can always get top level fish providing you have the space.

All they want is the security of a good hiding/spawning spot, as long as you provide those they'll be just fine.

 

[freddyk]

However you like it and stable. I agree that some height to the rock pile keeps the fish active on more levels, and top dwellers are pretty much a no-go with mbuna, but that doesn't mean you have to pile them high. What size tank are you going with?

 

[fish_keeper2]

this is my plan: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=132810

 

[dthoffsett]

I have my labs in a 29gal tank and the rocks are only stacked about 6 inches high. The labs spend most of their time swimming around the mid and top part of the tank and only hang out in the rocks when breeding. The male however spends a lot of time in the rocks excavating. He gets ticked of when I move the rocks around once a month or so to do a good cleaning. He spends the rest of the day flicking sand around and glaring at me.

 

[Iron Man]

When I had mbuna I had to pile them almost to the top to get the fish at all levels. I don't like slate so I had to use flat pieces of granite. It was so worth the effort though.

Good luck.

Then again....if you only need a couple fish at the top at a time......some might venture up there if you have the pile about halfway up. Its just a majority of them are still going to hug the rocks. As you see I had a couple brave red zebras.

 

[freddyk]

Just don't go too heavy on the rocks - this size of tank is limiting enough as it is.

 

[mamafish68]

I bought giant danios wayyyy back when i started out with an oscar, used them as dither fish, today, i've got mbuna, tangs, haps and the constant, ever lasting danios. their great top water activity fish!

 

[freddyk]

I bought giant danios wayyyy back when i started out with an oscar, used them as dither fish, today, i've got mbuna, tangs, haps and the constant, ever lasting danios. their great top water activity fish!

Hey mamafish, how big is this tank and how long set up? It's great that it's working for you, but it's best to stick to the safer solution for newbies, IMO, even when there are exception to every rule. Also keep in mind that this is only a 30 gallon tank.