Tank Decor

[Bradders]

I'm setting up a 50L tank for Mbuna. Due to its relatively small size I'm wanting as little water to be dispersed by heavy rocks etc - does anyone know of a site/shop that sells very realistic, but artificial, rock decorations? I'm sure to the experienced person this probably comes across as heathen but I'm keen to have as many fish in the tank as possible as the beauty, to me, is in the fish not the surroundings and I hope that taking this approach, whilst not ideal, will still give the impression of a natural habitat - or am I just kidding myself?

 

[brewyn]

they wont be beutiful for too long kept in the wrong conditions, your kiddin yourself!!!!!!


YOU DID ASK.

 

[Ferris]

You can't keep Mbuna in a 50 litre tank, way too small. Do you mean 50 gallons?

 

[breezer40]

50lts as Ferris has already said is just too small for Mbuna. If you are looking towards Africans then maybe shell dwellers might be an alternative as they are smaller?

 

[Bradders]

they wont be beutiful for too long kept in the wrong conditions, your kiddin yourself!!!!!!


YOU DID ASK.

Sorry - yes I did mean 50 gallons!

 

[Mbuna Dave]

I agree inpart that the fish are the things we love most but i disagree in that the deco has no contribution to the overall effect.
To create a natural tank with rock and maybe a little plantlife makes the tank much more beautiful to look at.

Plus you need to think about the fish themsleves,they need their private space to hide and be alone from time to time.

 

[brewyn]

thats a different story then, 50 gallons is great, and you could house a good No of cichlids and plenty of rock, to be honest, you would not get such a nice looking fish if you did'nt provide adequate rockwork, they like there hiding places and territories, and its usualy these territories *and girlies* that produce the more stunning coloured cichlids.

 

[mamafish68]

for a hobbyist to get the full effect of the color and grandeur of cichlids they must be made to feel safe. hiding spots, caves, lean to's, holes all will do this and also contribute to the over all apperance of the tank.



if you want just some fake stuff here and there, go get a pet rock and save some money...

then theres the whole subject of beneficial bacteria, the more surfaces you have in the tank the more benebac you have to aid in the health of your tank. slick plastic stuff does not do this as well as rough, naturel surfaces..

 

[Bradders]

for a hobbyist to get the full effect of the color and grandeur of cichlids they must be made to feel safe. hiding spots, caves, lean to's, holes all will do this and also contribute to the over all apperance of the tank.



if you want just some fake stuff here and there, go get a pet rock and save some money...

then theres the whole subject of beneficial bacteria, the more surfaces you have in the tank the more benebac you have to aid in the health of your tank. slick plastic stuff does not do this as well as rough, naturel surfaces..

There's clearly a strong opinion for the natural look which I can appreciate. Also I hadn't considered the bacteria angle. It was just that a few years ago I kept marines and had some artificial reef forms which were excellent - offering realism, colour, shelter etc without taking up too much water space.

I just thought there might be some interesting 'rock formations' made by someone that would do the job - I'm not looking for a tacky unrealistic feel, just something that may look a bit more pleasing on the eye than me placing, and building up, individual rocks in the tank - especially as I seem to have little talent for 'aqua landscaping'!!

 

[mamafish68]

LOL

little talent i n aquascaping?? didnt we all start out with the gold fish in a bowl with a neon house or something similiar? it will comein time and thats what the hobby is about, patience to let it all come and develope. not worry my friend, it will take you many times of rearranging your tanks until you get the right feel for it and are satisfied....then the week after that you change it all over again!!!

nature of the beast is all

 

[brewyn]

hi mama, where can I see some of you tanks, they must be posted on here somewhere!!

 

[Bradders]

LOL

little talent i n aquascaping?? didnt we all start out with the gold fish in a bowl with a neon house or something similiar? it will comein time and thats what the hobby is about, patience to let it all come and develope. not worry my friend, it will take you many times of rearranging your tanks until you get the right feel for it and are satisfied....then the week after that you change it all over again!!!

nature of the beast is all

You see - what hope is there for someone, like me, who can't even get the term 'aquascaping' right!!?? Good points you make - thankyou

 

[mamafish68]

some pics I took today

 

[Nick Sw]

Nice Tanks Mamafish love the last one especially .

 

[Cheffi]

Isn't it odd how last 2 pic's are same tank yet they look so different. Last photo is really good, shows rocks off well but why have you chosen to not have a background of some sort??