Tank Size And Stocking Options

[CluelessScot]

Hi all,

I think that i may be getting a 3ft tank for xmas from my Brother. I would really love to keep Malawis, but im unsure and have some questions:

1. Whats the Best Rock to use?
2. Should i use crushed coral substrate to keep my PH up?
3. What kinda filter would i need? 2 smaller filters or a larger 1.
4. Is this tank size to small?
5. What Malawis would go with this tank?

any help would be ace, thanks

Kev

 

[rixy]

hi,i would say a 4ft tank is more the norm for malawi's.get the right size tank first and the rest is really a personal thing.what colour rock /substrate do you like???the malawi's would much prefer a fine gravel/sand so they can dig.2 small externals,or,1 large external,again a personal choice.i have a large eheim 2028 and an internal filter.what is the ph of your tap water???

 

[aberdeen aquarist]

you can keep the less aggressive mbuna in a 3 foot tank, fish like lab. caereleus and ps. saulosi would go well together and you could have reasonably sized groups of each species. like rixy says, the decor is really up to you, but you have to find some way of buffering the pH to about 7.5 or above. some people use coral gravel in a filter to do it and this gives you far more scope with your decor. i find that mbuna seem to appreciate a darker backdrop, so lava rock or slate is a good one to try. as for filtration, go for the best you can, usually this means an external filter, and try to get one that is rated for twice the size of your tank.
hth
AA

 

[freddyk]

Also check out the pinned artical.

1. Whatever suits your fancy. Some rocks like limestone act as a buffer.

2. If you wish. What's your PH and KH?

3. For most mbuna it's too small, but there are a few species that will work

4. Lab Caeruelus (yellow lab), Pseudo Saulosi, Iodotropheus Sprengerae, Pseudo. Acei, cynotilapia Afra (maybe). That's about it, most other mbuna are too aggressive.