calling all cichlid experts...

[excuzzzeme]

I would not put 30-40 cichlids in a 125 unless they were dwarfs, nor would I knock myself out with plants. I keep mine in a PH of 6.4-6.8 and I do not heave health or breeding problems. My water matches the LFS water and they rarely have deaths. I also waited almost 2 months before picking them up. I had plenty of opportunity to observe them for health and other concerns before I bought them. Many of the African Cichlids like to rearrange the tank and that's why I don't bother with plants. I also like to make sure they have plenty of swimming area and sufficient room for breeding.

 

[jpappy789]

I wouldn't say plants aren't an option. Might as well try it.

 

[blue2fyre]

I have java fern in with my mbuna. They don't eat it and the plants are wedged in between the rocks so they can't move them I think 30-40 mbuna would be fine in a 125. I've heard of keeping as many as 20 in a 55gallon. It is often recommended to keep malawis in higher numbers to distribute the aggression. Water change schedules and good filtration are a must though. This is of course if we are talking about mbuna. Haps would not like those high numbers as much.

Also I am on malawi mayhem quite a bit and I have found it to be a fabulous forum. Very friendly and helpful.

 

[austinpetemo]

im pretty sure ive heard bad rep about the bluegrassaquatics on this forum. you could look around. personally i like davesfish.com , he has a better selection, and everyone on here that has bought from him online(i buy from his store) i havnt heard anything bad, only good things and im satisfied with the fish he provides.

on the subject of malawis, i would help but i cant offer much that you havn already been told.

 

[FishJones]

too many water changes!!!!! 3 a week!

Numbers, I've seen your posts on several different message boards. You are the LAST person who should be giving advice. Everyone disregard what this person says.

 

[yhbae]

If your GH is 300, that's really good for mbunas. Is your pH measured after letting it sit over night? May be it is scewed because of absorbed CO2? As some people here have mentioned already, most fishes can adjust to pH levels pretty well so if I were you, I would try not to mess with your water chemistry if possible. So much easier and cheaper to maintain the tank.

 

[VivaLaVics]

Malawis will eat most plants. Looks good though! Can't wait to see pics of it up and running!!!

 

[efors]

I think 30-40 mbuna would be fine in a 125. I've heard of keeping as many as 20 in a 55gallon. It is often recommended to keep malawis in higher numbers to distribute the aggression.

I also agree with this if we are talking about mbunas. I have 21 in my 55gal and no problems so far for 7 1/2 months now.
Also, I have to say that bluegrassaquatics is a great site for fish shopping. It's owner Eddie Martin is an experienced guy with great reputation in the hobby. I bought him 28 juvie mbunas and all of them arrived alive after a long trip from Kentucky to Puerto Rico.

 

[Pittbull]

What up Tid ok so i am like this buddy Bluegrassaqautics is where i received most of my fish from the owners name is Eddie and is only 45 minutes away from me but hey he is close and thats why i do business with him plus he has some nice stock i would definitely give him a call before you order so you can see what he has availible and whats up to date and thats the only issue i have is that he has something on his website and when i call him they are already gone..

As for water chemistry if at those levels your fine on PH i wouldn't muck with it..

125gal man i def would do like 30 to 40 of the smaller Mbuna would be sweet..

Fishjones you rock hehehehe

Numbers, I've seen your posts on several different message boards. You are the LAST person who should be giving advice. Everyone disregard what this person says.

Hey austin man bluegrass is a good friend of mine and a member of our local fish club he is a good dude and i am sure he has had some problems with a person before really what store hasn't you cant please everyone the only thing i have noticed with his store is a misspelled word and a fish that was advertised and didnt have it availible from time to time off his website..

But all in all Tid it looks as if you did your homework good job buddy and i hope all goes well for you..

 

[Jalo Reefa']

I would not put 30-40 cichlids in a 125 unless they were dwarfs, nor would I knock myself out with plants. I keep mine in a PH of 6.4-6.8 and I do not heave health or breeding problems. My water matches the LFS water and they rarely have deaths. I also waited almost 2 months before picking them up. I had plenty of opportunity to observe them for health and other concerns before I bought them. Many of the African Cichlids like to rearrange the tank and that's why I don't bother with plants. I also like to make sure they have plenty of swimming area and sufficient room for breeding.

this can be done easily and safely with mbuna in a 125 gallon tank, especially with the size of his sump and his (albeit perhaps a little overaggressive) water change schedule. That many water changes may slow the initial establishment of the tank but I don't see how it would do anything but help afterwords - assuming he's not adding anything unwanted with the fresh water.

I have had success, great success, even breeding success, in tanks as small as 75 gallons with up to 20 mbuna, so I don't see why 30 couldn't do well with 50 more gallons. Its all about filtration, aquascaping, and willingness to do aggressive water changes.

I've found it to be tremendously helpful with limiting aggression in some of the more "fiesty" species