meesheelly Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Ok so i now have the space to do a cichlid tank. I am currently searching for a 4ft tank, so that is nearly sussed. I have narrowed it down to malawis or american. But i am not sure on avalibility and prices. Any recommendations. I am leaning towards mbunas. Next, substrate and rocks. I have read about dolomite and argonite and coral sand. What will be the best and easiest for me to get? And where do i find it (perferably cheap). Also i need to find some rocks to go in the tank, is limestone good, anything else? And once again where from? Thank you in advance for your wonderful help. Fish people are great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johannes Visser Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Mabunas are a very good choice. I use aragonite and coral rocks, lots of rocks, It Keeps the water hardness just where you would like it, without doing much to it. It works for me and would recommend as a first choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Set up is all up to personal choice. I use riversand{1mm} in my tanks. Looks natural & its heavy enough to gravel vac. I would go Africans, easier to mix & match species. Can fit more fish in the tank to. But once again personal preference :lol: If you go africans some sort of buffer is good. Decorate the tank however you like, you are the one looking at it. Frenchy:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 alot of americans are larger (round 30cm) so they might not be a good choice if you wanted a tank with quite a few fish. jack dempsies are neat, they get around 20-25cm and are really stunning. you would be able to have more fish in the tank if you went with malawis i think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 ok think i will go with malawis. Does anyone know where i can find rocks and/or gravel in welly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Hutt River has rocks, lots and lots of rocks. Although slate is my favourite, haven't found it down here yet Gravel can come from lots of places. Stores like Bunnings, Mitre10 etc stock some fancy gravels, and you'll find it in bags in the gardening sections (outdoors). I've got a black chip in my planted tank, cost about $60. In my other 4 footer I used a $40 (20kg I think) gravel bag (pebbles basically) from hutt pets, and in all the other tanks I used sand (which is a LOT cheaper). All up to your taste what you use tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkLB Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I've used a dark pebble substrate with dead coral rocks. The rocks keep the pH at around 8 and the contrast against the dark gravel is great. The rock didn't come cheap.....I got it from a LFS for $10/kg and I've used 15kg in a 4 footer....but it looks fantastic with lots of nooks and crannies for the fish to dart in and out of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Ok so i have the tank and stand organised. Now the gravel and rock hunt begins. I will go and look at some landscape supply places in the weekend. I would perfer a dark gravel but i also need something that will boost the PH. Any ideas about what i should look out for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 so if i have plain gravel will the limestone rocks be enough to boost the PH? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 Well i have got my tank setup now and today i got some babies!!! I am very exicted!!! Will post pics once i get a light! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted September 24, 2006 Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 oh yay! so the old beast didnt dissapoint too much? :lol: have ya left that grating in or taken it out? cant wait to see pics of it set up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2006 i spray painted the stand black and yeah grating is till, my bf thinks it looks cool. :lol: We are going to make a hood as well so it will look fab. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c18/meesheelly/?start=0 Follow this link to look at my photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted September 26, 2006 Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 that looks awesome Shell ya breathed some new life into it, very nice indeed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 26, 2006 thanks. Im really happy with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 I was going for whatever i could that would naturally buffer the Ph. So its limestone rocks, and when i was at the landscape place thay had the pipes so i though thay would help make some caves. I also got a bag of limestone chip for my gravel. I was gonna get limestone sand but i thought it would probably cloud the water too much. I have 3 auratus, 3 kenyis and 3 kadangos. And im getting some zebras tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 27, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 just teset my ph and it is sitting at 7.8. So i guess its doing its job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damiana Posted September 27, 2006 Report Share Posted September 27, 2006 My only suggestion would be to put some dark colored backing on your tank. It'll make everything else pop and the fish tend to be a bit happier. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
banaro Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 hey there how those bubbas all sweet should colour up sweet theyd been in the bag for a while lol hope they are all fine if you need anymore just let me know cheers Geremy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 My only suggestion would be to put some dark colored backing on your tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malawi_man Posted September 28, 2006 Report Share Posted September 28, 2006 looking good Did the fish come from Alex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meesheelly Posted September 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2006 yup some of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.