First AF setup, 72 Bowfront, comment apprec.

Aquaken

Aquaken

AC Members
Aug 31, 2004
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I'm contemplating a 72 gallon bowfront for mbuna. I have done plenty of research on the ph, temp, 3f-1m yada yada....

I found good sites with pics and info but I wanted to ask here just to make certain this will work. The three species I want are:

Yellow Labs
Psd. demasoni
Psd. acei

I have read that you either need lots of demasoni or only one, I would like lots. I read that labs and demasoni get along and that labs and acei get along. My question is, will acei and demasoni get along?

How many fish should I put in a 72 gal? I can't really tell since the "fully stocking" method with africans is different than what I'm used to. I prefer to have 1 male to 3 or 4 females and I chose these three particular species because the females aren't terrible looking.

I would especially like to hear from anyone successfully keeping multiple demasoni since it sounds like they are the most trouble.

TANK SETUP

Visitherm stealth 250W heater
2 Eheim Eccos each rated for 60 gal OR an eheim plus a hang on back aquaclear
Light/white sand substrate with many many many rocks, stacked to make caves
Normal lighting that would come with a BF

Does everything sound ok here? I would love any help.

Thanks
 
your best bet

Your best bet when setting up a mbuna tank is to first decide what species you want in your tank.

Instead of spending big bucks and buying fish of a good size its best to buy more very young smaller fish. Why?

1. Larger fish are more expensive thus your investment will be less.

2. introducing them at a small size they grow up together and you will tend to have less agression. There will still be possible agression and you can count on lossing a few as they mature.

3. Having multiple of each species tends to spread the agression - a domininate fish is more likely to kill one of its kind then having 3 or 4 others that get a fraction of the agression.

I am by no means an expert (about 8 months with Cichlids) i started with 14 fish about 1/2 inch in size - i now have 13 fish around 4 inches. i have some pictures of my tank on here if you search under my name.
 
Another comment to go with my first post -
When buying younger smaller fish there is no way to get the 3F-1M thing since its usually not possible to tell the difference - but that is why alot of folks slightly overstock.

I have ended up with 3 Male Kenyi's in my tank - luckly they seem to be ok with each other still at Nine Months.

The issue i seem to have is that there are so many species to pick from and i keep wanting more - might have to start another tank.
 
I started out with mbuna and had an accidental tank wipe-out; have since gone to other species. A great site is www.malawimayhem.com, or research the fishes you want on google, etc., for temperaments/compatability.
 
Thanks rosita. The best site for cichlids I found was www.cichlid-forum.com
They have some great forums and almost countless pics.

As for my setup I'll either do:

4 Psd. acei (1m3f)
8 Yellow Lab (3m5f)
16ish Psd. demasoni (3 or 4 m, rest f)

OR (not giving away any fry here...)

4 Psd. acei (1m3f)
5 yellow lab (2m3f)
12 Psd. saulosi (3m9f)
4 Psd. socolofi (1m3f)

It really depends on what I can find at the LFS after I move, just doing research now. I might just do this http://www.cichlid-forum.com/tanks/displaytank.php?style=1&tank=2205
 
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