What Do You Think Of This Setup?

[demasonisrule]

So here are some pics of the rockwork in my new 55 gallon mbuna, which is amazing on my 13 year old budget (now cycling )

A few questions: Is that rock with the green algae ok? I found it in a river, and I boiled it, and nothing happened. I like the rock, but is it safe?

Are there enough rocks/caves? I can add more, but I like the look of it right now a lot.

Is that orangeish rock(3rd pic) safe? my dad says that it might be orange because there is iron in it. He says its safe, but he doesn't really know how to take care of fish.

Any ways, here they are.

front view

side view

Other side(you can see the orange rock on the top)

 

[dthoffsett]

Looking good, I'm not sure about the orange rock, does it have any signs of rust on it?

You might want to add some smaller rocks to make the crevices/caves smaller, you'd be amazed at how small of a space they can fit into and it will maximize the territories for them.

 

[demasonisrule]

I was thinking that the rock was orange because of the rust. I added a few new rocks today. I will be adding pics soon, but I am sick(not swine ), so progress from here will probably be pretty slow for a while.

 

[Water]

I like the aquarium and gravel.

 

[mjzuverink]

looks good, great color variation in the rocks. i would probably do black or white sand instead of the gravel but the gravel will work too. if you wanted to change it you can get white filter sand at any pool store for aroun $7 for 50lb. is the the tank that you have the stocking list on your other topic for?

 

[demasonisrule]

Yeah, I am seriously considering putting a layer of sand on top of the gravel. That gravel was a great deal, and I like the look of it. It would look good with sand. This is the tank I made that other topic for, yes. I thought of that other topic after I made this one. Sorry for taking space on the forums . Anyway, the P. demasoni are still expensive at $40 for two, as I am just 13 after all.

 

[mjzuverink]

yeah i think sand would be a good option, by the way my earlier post actually read " ten 2inch fish for 40" no 2 fish for forty. haha i dont think i could afford them if they were 2 for 40 either. but yeah, usually on aquabid.com you can find them for less then 5 dollars each

 

[demasonisrule]

Wow I thought it said 2 fish for $40 dollars! I wish I could do that, but for some reason my dad won't let me order anything living online! So we have to drive to a fish shop thats an hour away, just to check if they have the fish, which I doubt they do . Also, where could I get black sand? And would it cost a lot more?

 

[mjzuverink]

hmm, im afraid im not the expert for that question as i have never had black sand , i can tell you that everyplace i have found it , it has been significantly more expensize,but im not gonna say there isnt a source out there that has it for cheap

 

[dthoffsett]

Everyplace I've seen black sand is around $20 for 20lbs, so a dollar a pound which is pretty expensive considering you can get 50lbs of play sand for about $5. That said, if you like the look and can afford it, go for it.

 

[demasonisrule]

I added sand to the tank today! I couldn't find the black sand anywhere, and the local pool shop was closed, so I grabbed a 40 pound bag of play sand for $3. I think that it turned out great! This is my first tank with sand, and I will never do gravel again.

Some pics-its still a bit cloudy
Side views

Front view

 

[mjzuverink]

ahhh, very nice, now that is a fine looking setup. the sand always seems to improve the look

ready to see some stocking!

 

[demasonisrule]

So my tank is basically done cycling! However, I am only able to get the labs and fulleborni tomorrow
Anyway, The ammonia is at 0, nitrite is at 0, nitrate is at 20.
I am going to add another small rock in the big cave in the front. I wish I had made a journal of this

 

[demasonisrule]

I am SOOO mad!!! the guy at my lfs would only let me buy 2 yellow labs

I will post pics tomorrow but I am SOOO mad!!!

When I add the other fish would I have to rearrange the rocks? since the vast majority would be going in together, would they be able to establish territories without the 2 current fish getting new ones also?

 

[demasonisrule]

Well here are is a pic of the two labs together. Their colors are really faded...Is it just because they are getting used to the tank, or is there something wrong?