Starting to set up my 4ft Tank for Malawi Cichlids

[fouros]

Just thought i would post up a pick of my 4 ft tank, still adding rock and was thinking of adding some Java Fern and other hard to eat plants,

There is about 40Kg's of fine gravel and calcuim carbonate to get the PH up

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc290/fouros/aquarium%20stuff/20081026_111025.jpg

i have learnt from you guys already , black background a good filter

[Pittbull]

looks sweet aye, good job so far.. java fern and anubias work well.. one java fern mat on each side and anubias in the middle would be awesome..

[mostlycichlids]

Very nice! I would add some more rock work, I like the look a lot.

[Weezer]

Nice start..............:)

[JL15219]

Looks good so far...

[krytan]

Nice tank :)

[jpappy789]

awesome rockwork!

[fouros]

just added about $60.00AUD of plants and it needs more :D

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc290/fouros/aquarium%20stuff/withsomeplants.jpg

[Pittbull]

sweet add some more to the left side and a anubias in the middle you will be set aye..

[Fishfiles1]

what typ of rock is that

[fouros]

Its just a lava rock from the local landscape suppliers, soaked for 3 days, brushed, steel wooled, boiled, brushed, rinsed, put in the tank

it only cost me 20 aud instead of over 150 from the LFS

[midnightmadman]

Its just a lava rock from the local landscape suppliers, soaked for 3 days, brushed, steel wooled, boiled, brushed, rinsed, put in the tank

it only cost me 20 aud instead of over 150 from the LFS




Steel wool? be careful its not still on that rock.. seems like it would "stick" to it and then come off in time in the water.

[bushwhacker]

would not use steel wool its so fine it will get caught on that lava rock and rust the tank is looking great i want to do another african tank soon ..

[M. Boona]

Your tank looks very nice!

[fouros]

it was stainless steel wool (no chance of rust), but all items were rinsed again to make sure nothing was left on the rock before it was placed in the tank,

I am looking forward to stocking the tank ( this Weekend) or sooner if i get the time. that and a few more plants, I forgot how addictive this hobby was ( looks like the jeep mod fund will be depleted)

[fouros]

well i think i have narrowed it down to stock just got to get the levels right,


Placidochromis Phenochilus Tanzania

Red Jacobfreibergi

Iodotropheus sprengerae (Rusty Cichlid)

And i know these guys get large ( but before size gets out of hand i will be purchasing a 6x2x2

Nimbochromis Venustus (dont know what it is about them but i just like em )

what sort of numbers do you think for each type

[fouros]

well i got some fish

2 x Sciaenochromis fryeri

2 x Protomelas taeniolatus
and
2 x Nimbochromis venustus

they are all between 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches long so i will have some time to stock more and perhaps set up a all male Hap tank