Thinking Of Starting A New Malawi Tank, Mainly Demasoni :)

[mjzuverink]

okay so in my first malawi tank a few years ago i had at single demasoni that was very hard for me to find. while this fish is now in my dads tank, i have always wanted to set up just a species only tank of demasoni and hopefully breed them. now i dont see me actually doing this for a few months but i'm just trying to start planning on how to set up. first things first tank size. i have heard that they do well in large numbers and large tanks specifcally longer. i was thinking maybe a 72 gallon bowfront, 75gallon, or 90 gallon ( although the 90 gallon tank may be too high). now for substrate i have always loved the white silica sand but have never had anyluck with keeping it clean, does anyone have a suggestion for substrate?, i was thinking white as it would contrast the dark fish nicely. also anyone recommend what kind of filtration i should set up? I plan on overstocking the tank so more filtration the better iguess right? i dont know of a way to do undergravel filter with sand , so unless anyone has a suggestion i was thinking a canister filter. i have a eheim 2227 , on another tank but i dont know if that will be being ussed or not. maybe a fluval 405? again, any suggestinos would be appreciated. well i guess those questions should be a start for this topic.

 

[dthoffsett]

P.demasoni is one of my favorite species, in fact I'm in the planning stages of a species tank for them too. If you'd like, check out the link in my signature and see if it answers some of your questions, I'd also suggest reading the pinned topics if you haven't already done so.

 

[mjzuverink]

okay thankyou,now i always read through posts talking about the undergravel jets, and i see that this i what you use. how do these work , what all do you need to set it up and does it work well with sand?

 

[dthoffsett]

okay thankyou,now i always read through posts talking about the undergravel jets, and i see that this i what you use. how do these work , what all do you need to set it up and does it work well with sand?

I haven't tried them yet so I can't really say how well they work. For setting them up read here: http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php

 

[mjzuverink]

wow very interesting forum, the UGJ systems seem relatively easy to make and inexpensive, and i can see why they would work well. thanks for the link, i have long been wondering what people meant by undergravel jets. you'll will have to let me know how they work when you get yours set up. do you have your tank and things yet or are you still in the planning stages?

 

[mjzuverink]

Hey guys, still trying to decide what size tank to get. anyone know of a cheap wholesale site you can order tanks from. I'm familiar with glasscages.com , just wondering if anyone had other suggestions. i have always gotten used tanks and would like to get a new onw this time i think

 

[dthoffsett]

I'm still in the planning stages at this point, mostly because my living room is full of boxes as I recently moved.

It'll be spring before I actually get the fish so I have until then to get everything set up.

Since you mentioned glasscages.com I take it you're from the US. I can't source larger tanks locally so I looked into ordering them, unless you are near one of their delivery points (major US cities) you can't get glass tanks delivered unless you buy from a pet store. I'm going to be ordering mine from Petco, though www.drsfostersmith.com have some larger tank/stands they'll deliver. The cost of the actual tank and stand aren't bad it's the delivery fees that kill.

 

[mjzuverink]

yeah, i havent completely decided if i want a new or use aquarium. im from MI usually i can find a used tank locally for less then a dollar a gallon, but then you have to find a compatable stand with filtration and what not. If i decide to just go the cheap route and find a used one I will probably just get anything i can find for a good price between 65-90 gallons. I have a Eheim 2227 right now that i would use on the tank and I'm probably going to give the UGJ a try that you mentioned in your journal. so then i would just be stuck with making a stand and canopy

 

[mjzuverink]

okay have decided to make a 65 gallon tank , i was thinking about a 75 gallon long tank b'c 6ft would be awesome! but these are hard to find and 6ft also complicated lighting. i also wasnt sure about the 13 inch height of the tank I think the 65 will be a good size, thinking of about 35 demasoni and 5 of another species that i have still not decided on, any suggestions on a second species just to add some contrast. im thinking of a yellow species, i know labs would work and they are less aggressive, i'm just kind of looking for something not as common

 

[dthoffsett]

A standard 75gal is 4ft long not 6ft (I belive that would be a 125). What are the dimensions of the 65gal? If I remember correctly a standard 65 is just taller than a 55 so I wouldn't get over 25 dems, and in fact I'd drop that to 20 if you want another species with them. The 10 extra gallons don't matter much if it's taller rather than longer.

 

[mjzuverink]

yeah i know that normal 75 gallons are still 4ft. there are 75 gallon longs that are 72 long 18 deep and 13 high. you can look on glasscages.com but maybe they are the only ones that make it. the more normal 6 footer would be a 100 gallon, but i dont want something that big for this set up. the normal 75 gallon tank is the same hieght as the 55 gallon. the 65 gallon is actually shorter, which i like, and deeper, b/c i really dont like the 12 inch deep tanks. the 65 gallon dimensions are 48 long, 17 tall, and 18 deep. i think the demasonis will like that size . yeah im really questioning how many i should get , my lfs said like 40 ! but i know i dont need that many

 

[dthoffsett]

I'd probably still stick with around 25 dems and then 6-7 of another species. Labs are the classical pairing but I think Metriaclima estherae or Pseudotropheus socolofi Albino would look good with them too. Then throw in a few Synodontis petricola or S.multipunctatus to keep the population down and you're set.

 

[mjzuverink]

yeah i do like the Pseudotropheus socolofi even if they werent albino. the light blue would contrast nicely with the demasoni I already can see how awesome the labs would look but im kinda keepin my eye open for something a bit different as i said earlier.I actually am kind of interested in maybe yellow Neolamprologus leleupi, i like the look of them but havent researched them to see if they would be compatable.

I havent decided whether i wanted to add a few catfish to keep breeding down, just because although my goal for the tank isnt really to breed them, that is always fun for me
I do really like the S.multipunctatus and Synodontis petricola , my lfs never seems to have a great variety of catfish or that type in particular. are there really any appearnce differences between the two? the only thing i have kept that anyway resemble them is a pictus catfish, which also enjoy

 

[mjzuverink]

So the planning for this tank was put on hold for awhile due to the business of my schedule recently but so far this is the plan. 75 gallon tank now instead of the 65 gallon. im hoping to pick that up this week at some point. I also found a penn plax cascade 1200 cannister filter which is rated for a 150 gallon. i plan on gettin that in a week or so also. other than that, not much will happen for another month or so. im am struggling with the debate to make a homemade T5 light built into a canopy or to buy a 4 bulb t5 fixture which might cost a little more but be a bit more reliable then my DIY i would make. any suggestions?

 

[lalo99]

Lighting is for your pleasure not the fishes. They only need a night and day cycle. A 4 bulb fixture will produce alot of light. This may cause too much algae growth. If you have a nice canopy check out home depot or lowes (if your in the US) and get a two bulb light. The should fit inside the canopy without a problem. They are very cheap, usually under 30 dollars. Bulbs are also cheap. IMO unless you have a planted tank or a reef tank alot of light is not needed.