Kezza Posted August 5, 2007 Report Share Posted August 5, 2007 First time caller....be gentle 8) Over the last week I've been setting up a 300lt Malawi tank and just after any newbie advice really.....I realize there are probably plenty of threads already running on this subject, but if you experienced African fish keepers could summarize some of the basics that would be fantastic. This is the set up.....any suggestions? Fluval 405 with some amonoia medium as well as the biological and carcoal mediums, jagger 300w heater, 50/50 dolimite/fine gravel mix, shist rock with plenty of caves and archways in the rock work, no plants All the standard PH, High PH, ammonia and nitrite tests are all sweet as, as of last night but will continue to monitor daily for the next few weeks?? Currently I have (all juvenilles): 6 x Electric Yellows (2 males, 4 female) 6 x Demasonis (one has much more "black" colours and is much 'bolder' than the others, male?? 6 x Socolofi (again one of the fish is much darker in colour - male?) So when should I or could I add more cichlids?....any suggestions on further tank mates? Certainly a giant time suck thus far and lovin' it! thanks in advance y'all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Hi, glad to hear there are more african keepers out there they're awesome Sounds like your already getting pretty sorted which is good, personally though I would loose the charcoal out of the filter unless you've added it for some reason (to removed meds etc) I dont use it unless I need it.. Also if you've just added these fish all at once I would hold off adding any more fish for a few weeks to let the tank cycle otherwise you may end up with new tank syndrome and loose them all. Keep testing your water looking for ammonia spikes etc. As for more potential tank mates you could add a few peacock males (or one species of male and female peacocks) which would add some colour. Also I would add some more demasoni I kept 6 once and they killed each other down to 3 they're pretty agro. You may be fine with 6 but I dont recommend it just from what happened to me.. You may also want to add some bristlenoses to help clean algae off your tank. Good luck and get some pics up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johannes Visser Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Hi and welcome. :bounce: Hope you enjoy you time here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 And where is A-town?? Not much help if some one wants to give you a hand with something. How about going back to your profile and filling in the appropriate space and letting us know where you REALLY live. Welcome to the forum, and I've got my teeth out this time too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kezza Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 thanks for the welcome, replies and sound advice! Sorry Alan.....Auckland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 See, now you might get an invite to join one of the great clubs up there now. Once again welcome. Not so bad being an Aucklander, but I shifted, a wise move looking back on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kezza Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 OK...so new question, how the heck to you take good photos of your setups and fish?....I seem to have managed only very average ones using a Canon EOS 350D....must try harder methinks: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanjury Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Nothing wrong with those photo's.. I find the best way to take photo's is to take 100's using different methods, tank lights on/off flash on/off various settings on the camera on/off and then put them all on the computer and delete the crap ones maybe ill get a couple that are worth keeping, I do have a pretty basic point and shoot camera though so a bit hard to get descent pics.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kezza Posted August 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 It would of course be much easier to take pixs if the little blighter's stayed still long enough to allow me to focus....but "NO!" they taunt and laugh at me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Welcome Kezza- That setup will look great. look forward to seeing it progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidb Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 yeah looks nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afrikan Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Looks great And welcome from another African keeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 africans are beginning to be extremly popular. Hi & welcome. I guess its alot cheaper to have africans than marines for almost as good colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herefishiefishie Posted August 6, 2007 Report Share Posted August 6, 2007 Looks good. Try turning the house lights off when taking pics. The darker the house the better, works for me. As for adding new fish, how long has the tank been running for? Frenchy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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