180 Gallon Mbuna Tank Journal

K

Kevin007

AC Members
May 27, 2008
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Planning stage

I have received lots of great advice from this thread when I was just toying around with the possibility of owning a 180 Gallon tank.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=176948

I have been shopping around the past few weeks and saw some good deals, I'll be picking it up in the near future, so I thought I might as well do a journal on it. I have already located where I will be buying the equipment. The best deals, etc.

Stocking

20 Yellow Labs
15 Aceis
15 Rusties
15- 25 Demasoni
1 RTBS
3 BN Plecos

Fry will be left in the tank, I plan on letting them populate the tank so I can save some money. A colony of 40-60 Demasonis of all sizes will look stunning. All the fish will be 3 inches max. and I'll sell the fry when I feel the tank is overstocked

15 Bottom Feeders

My first choice would be Synodontis Multipunctatus, but if they are $20 each for a juvies and $40 for adults, I might go with the Clown Loaches. I'm torn because I have always wanted a large tank with Clown Loaches, but on the other hand, I have read some horror stories about this combination as well as a school of Clowns looking awkward in an mbuna themed tank. But I have heard success stories. The bottom feeders will be the last fish I add, I'll worrry about it later.

What do you think about adding a couple of Haps for na ceterpiece? ie dolphin cichlid? Comps?

Decoration

The tank will be 6x2x2 filled with limestone and playsand. Exactly the same as my 55 Gallon tank but on a larger scale. I plan on having 2 large piles of rocks on the 2 corners, leaving open space in the middle. I'm also considering a 'fry pile' for the fry to hide, either underneath the 2 limestone structure or at the 2 corners at the front so I can keep an eye on them or remove them if necessary.

The play sand will be regular playsand from homedepot.

Depending on the amount of light I'll have, I might try to grow some anubias, vals or java fern.

Filteration

- An eheim 2217 that is currently running on my 55 Gallon
- 2 Fluval FX5 for the superior water circulation.

What media would you fill each canister with? ie: two for biological filtration, one for mechanical, all 3 with biological/mechanical, etc.

Any thoughts on the filtration?

Water circulation

From my research, I've found out that water circulation is often a problem in large tanks, the FX5 offers very good water circulation. My original plan was to hide the 2 outputs in each of the 2 rock piles to provide good circulation. But then I saw some powerheads that weren't too expensive and now I am considering putting those in the rockpiles instead. Putting the 2 FX5 outputs near the surface with nothing blocking it for even better circulation.

Which brand is the best?

a) Maxi-Jet Powerhead
b) Hydor Koralia
c) Hagen Aquaclear Powerheads

Do you think the powerheads are necessary?

Heating

I'll hide 2 heaters, a 300 watt Hydor Theo and a 400 watt, one on each corner behind the limestones. Will this cause any problems? Since they have different watts? The 300W is currently used in my 55 Gallon?

I'll be picking up the equipment by this weekend if all goes well, any input is welcomed, thanks.
 
As regards the haps - I'd say absolutely go for it. Compressiceps would not be a good choice - fairly timid type that they are. Dolphins - crytocara moorii - might be a bit frail as well, unless you can get them at a good enough size (four or five inches) and introduce them when the mbuna are juvies.

I'd reccomend perhaps one or two male ahlis instead.
 
Yeah you may want to reconsider the play sand its filthy and looks pretty nasty when your fish decide to cause a sand cyclone pool filter sand is much better as for the fish list sounds sweet i agree with coler on the Ahli's also a group of peacocks would be sweet or a group of Borelyi..

Powerheads will be a choice by you i have them in my 120gal at each end and mine blow bubbles as well i just like the look and love the sound.. but if i had to choose from your list i would go with maxi-jet IMO..

Oh yeah good luck if you are going to remove fry in that size tank with extensive rockwork.. plus i would love to buy some demasoni fry from you when its time..

Later buddy and have fun..
 
Just a side note if i was going to build a nice setup like the one your talking about i would just go ahead and get CaribSea's sand they have some nice sands for sale and would be worth the extra money..
 
Hello!

The mbunas will vary in size, from 1 inch to juvies to young adults.

I couldn't find pool filter sand when I was trying to set up my 55 Gallon. I only found the play sand, its pretty dirty but if you take the time to clean it (I'm thinkin 4-5 hours ish) then it'll be alright, my tank turned crystal clear in 2 days.

The ahlis sound nice, I'm looking into some kind of center piece now, any more suggestions are welcomed! I'm hoping the particular fish won't grow TOO large in proportion to the rest of the tank/fish because I really enjoy seeing smaller fishes in great amount in a large tank, it looks more impressive that way imo.
 
Yep I'd do some Ahlis...and a gang of Male Peacocks...plenty of room in there for 5 or 6 of them anyways.
 
Kevin007 wrote:
I'm hoping the particular fish won't grow TOO large in proportion to the rest of the tank/fish because I really enjoy seeing smaller fishes in great amount in a large tank, it looks more impressive that way imo.
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I have to agree with you i prefer smaller fish than the larger ones makes for better viewing good luck at your project buddy bet it will look sweet..
 
Hi Kevin, I'm guessing this tank isn't drilled? If you can get one drilled that's the way I'd go with filtration, using a sump for your equipment, media, etc. I prefer the sumps for easy access, and it would allow you the option to convert to salt if you choose later.
On your stocklist, if you're looking for some centerpience haps, maybe consider Nimbochromis fuscotaeniatus, or perhaps Red Empress? Both fish get fairly large and would be a toss up as far compatibility later on, but if added while just a tad larger than the Mbuna, and before they are, I think they'd be fine. I've always thought adult male Venustus are beautiful as well, but then compatibility comes into play again.
On Clown loaches vs. Synos, I'd think an adequately sized group of clowns would cost you as much as one syno. I'd add one syno and wait until you are able to afford another. Clean up crews are overrates IMO, I prefer tank maint, gravel vacs, and plants.
Have you looked into keeping a Tropheus tank? They are more expensive than you seem to wanting to go, but man, a Tropheus species tank looks sweet.
 
AfroCichlid said:
Have you looked into keeping a Tropheus tank? They are more expensive than you seem to wanting to go, but man, a Tropheus species tank looks sweet.
Click to expand...

Man, don't remember me that again, please! My obsession returns! :headbang2:...:wall:
 
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