New Member Cichlid Tank
#1
Posted 02 January 2014 - 07:14 PM
Started up a small aquarium to get into the hobby.
It's a 130L 70cm(w) x 45cm(deep) x 66cm(tall) aqua one aquarium.
Running an Aquis 1200 canister filter (a little big though I picked it up cheap from Gumtree)
I purchased some cichlids from Gumtree at a small size about 3cm.
2 x. Labidochromis tanganicae
2 x Iodotropheus sprengerae
1 x red top hongi
2 x unknown.
My tank started out with gravel substrate, fake plants etc.
But I have recently changed to sand substrate (pool filter sand) with some granite and limestone rocks.
Along with a piece of driftwood.
All rocks and wood was sourced locally and prepared for the tank as I don't fancy paying LFS prices.
(Will post up a better photo when I receive upgraded LED light as I broke my T5 setup the other day!
I am happy with how my tank looks now, even though it may not be authentic I feel it looks much better.
I realize this tank will be too small for these mbuna. But I haven't had any troubles yet they all get along quite well.
Will be looking soon for some MTS to stir around the sand
Please help identify the two I am unsure of.
Slender all silver fish with one bold horizontal stripe.
Colourful blue fish, sometime with yellow accents and bold vertical stripes.
Looking forward to people comments so I can improve on my new hobby.
Nath
Ow and a couple of 4cm bristlenose catfish in there also.
Nath
#2
Posted 02 January 2014 - 08:28 PM
Good looking tank, Love those rounded rocks haven't seen rocks like that since I lived in Tassie.
The Silver fish could be:
Dimidiochromis compressiceps (Malawi Eye Biter) A Name I hate with a passion
OR
Dimidiochromis strigatus (Sunset Hap)
A better picture will give 100% ID
The blue fish with the bars, IMO looks like a Hybrid Maylandia lombardoi (Lombardoi or Kenyi cichlid)
Labidochromis tanganicae is a very old name for Labidochromis caeruleus (Electric Yellow)
GREAT to see your using Latin names for the fish..
#3
Posted 02 January 2014 - 08:35 PM
Edited by Busio90, 02 January 2014 - 08:42 PM.
#4
Posted 02 January 2014 - 08:41 PM
No probs and welcome to the club.
#5
Posted 02 January 2014 - 11:12 PM
Tank looks great! I actually really like the granite too
I wouldn't be much help on the IDs as lm a American cichlids fan and
that's mostly what l keep. But Looks like AZ has helped you on that
Look into becoming a full member mate, full pcs access is awesome
And 10% discount at LFS is even better lol
Plus pcs club BBQ is coming up!!
Welcome again mate.
#6
Posted 03 January 2014 - 10:46 AM
Welcome to the forums. Nice looking tank!
#7
Posted 03 January 2014 - 11:50 AM
#8
Posted 03 January 2014 - 01:39 PM
Welcome,
Great looking tank. Good to see someone new to the hobby that doesnt under filter malawis. Do you have any plans for more fish?
#9
Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:04 PM
I really like your choice of rocks and the fish are stunning for their size.
thanks.
#10
Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:30 PM
Welcome,
Great looking tank. Good to see someone new to the hobby that doesnt under filter malawis. Do you have any plans for more fish?
Not at this stage, as I am concerned my tank is to small for even these 7 fish?
I was thinking of possibly one addition as suggested above to dig around in my sand to stir it.
I am super happy with the sand, the cichlids love it and after only a few days have dug out caves.
Fun to watch.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Edited by Busio90, 03 January 2014 - 03:28 PM.
#11
Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:32 PM
Different folks different strokes
- MrLeifBeaver likes this
#12
Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:36 PM
Personally I put the inlet at one end in the corner and the outlet on the oppisite end in the corner,
I reckon your canister outlet would be fine where it is minus the spray bar.
Again, it's just my preference.
Good luck
#13
Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:40 PM
Spray seems to provide a decent amount of current for em to swim against and stir up all the poo for filter to collect.
What are everyone's thoughts on the size of tank for the fish.
Also is it worth making a "prefilter" for the canister intake?
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#14
Posted 03 January 2014 - 03:47 PM
But when I asked one of the guys at vebas about prefilters, he told me that there isn't much point as that's the canisters job.
Keeping that in mind I just went home and threw an old internal filter in my larger tank and placed it by the canister intake.
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