Long time no see Rifties. Hope you and your tanks are all well.
Long story short (and timed with a move), my 90 gallon tall tank will be converted into a Malawi setup. The Comps, Calvus et al. had to be rehomed in prep for this move and its a shame because they were doing so well and getting large. Still, I figure its time for something different since the tank must transition.
Some details:
1) Black/white substrate will change to special grade aragonite (great stuff from Carib-Sea)
2) Snowflake obisidian and Texas holey rock combo to remain.
3) Filtration upgraded from Fluval 405 to FX5 (now my second FX5...)
4) Submariner UV to remain.
5) Will finally paint the back of the tank flat black (vs. the existing black roll backing).
6) Actinic and blue night LEDs to remain.
As for stocking... expert opinions greatly appreciated. The 2 synodontis lucipinnis will be transferred in, as will plenty of large nerites. I've read enough to decide I do NOT want to mix herbivores and carnivores. The existing synos like their occasional meaty diet, so I will only consider carnivores and omnivores and even then feed krill, mysis and microcrabs only a few times a week. Spirulina/germ flake and Hikari pellet will be the primary diet.
Planned stocking includes:
1) 3 x synodontis lucipinnis (cleanup duty)
2) 6 x metriaclima estherae 2:4
3) 6 x metriaclima greshaki 2:4
4) 6 x ???
Any thoughts? Maybe a carno haplochrome who won't create con-specific aggression? I'm ordering from Dave's online so there is a huge selection available. Plese feel free to suggest alternate stocking suggestions (most welcome) and thanks in advance.
Long story short (and timed with a move), my 90 gallon tall tank will be converted into a Malawi setup. The Comps, Calvus et al. had to be rehomed in prep for this move and its a shame because they were doing so well and getting large. Still, I figure its time for something different since the tank must transition.
Some details:
1) Black/white substrate will change to special grade aragonite (great stuff from Carib-Sea)
2) Snowflake obisidian and Texas holey rock combo to remain.
3) Filtration upgraded from Fluval 405 to FX5 (now my second FX5...)
4) Submariner UV to remain.
5) Will finally paint the back of the tank flat black (vs. the existing black roll backing).
6) Actinic and blue night LEDs to remain.
As for stocking... expert opinions greatly appreciated. The 2 synodontis lucipinnis will be transferred in, as will plenty of large nerites. I've read enough to decide I do NOT want to mix herbivores and carnivores. The existing synos like their occasional meaty diet, so I will only consider carnivores and omnivores and even then feed krill, mysis and microcrabs only a few times a week. Spirulina/germ flake and Hikari pellet will be the primary diet.
Planned stocking includes:
1) 3 x synodontis lucipinnis (cleanup duty)
2) 6 x metriaclima estherae 2:4
3) 6 x metriaclima greshaki 2:4
4) 6 x ???
Any thoughts? Maybe a carno haplochrome who won't create con-specific aggression? I'm ordering from Dave's online so there is a huge selection available. Plese feel free to suggest alternate stocking suggestions (most welcome) and thanks in advance.
But let's not discuss that here....
