lotofish Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Thought I would share some pictures of my Malawi cichlid tank. The layout is New Zealand moss rock with Anubias nana and silica sand. The fish include Melanochromis auratus, Labidochromis caeruleus, Pseudotropheus demasoni and 2 Ancistrus. This is an experimental tank using New Zealand moss rock. This rock is soft so I was able to drill/chisel out caves and make them fit together. Before I could use them I boiled them, water blasted them, boiled them again and water blasted again. They look great in the tank like a natural rock formation. The tank has been running for 7 months and there is not sign that the rocks have affected the water conditions or inhabitants. Any one else had experience or tried to use the moss rocks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Impressive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tropheus Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Great tank. Love the Mel.Auratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godly3vil Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Nice tank dude, those rocks look great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Beautiful work !drool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeusterae Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Really nice tank!!! Congrats!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfishhead Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Nice tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nudge Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I agree with the rest of them, tank looks cool, love the rocks, how many auratus do you have in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotofish Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Thank you every one. I have 4 auratus in the tank. One male with the dark blue belly and one female currently carrying. Not sure about the other two. Initially I was only going to have auratus in the tank but my son loved the caeruleus and demasoni so it became a mixed tank. If you have a close look at the eighth pic down you can see the female who is carrying with her extended throat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disgustipated Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 i'm sure the fry will love those rocks with all their tiny holes/caves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotofish Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 24, 2013 I hope the fry do enjoy those rocks. Would be the first time I have bread the auratus. :happy1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotofish Posted February 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2013 Quick update........... No Auratus fry to be seen. Might have become fish food. I am planning to move these fellows plus a few more Malawi's into a larger aquarium. Just purchased two second hand tanks, one 360L with stand and the other 310L with no stand. Both need a little work cleaning and re-sealing. One will become the new Malawi Cichlid aquarium and the other a temperate marine tank with jewel anemone. Thats the plan anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuppyHunter Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 :coph: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrrick Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 This tank looks awesome. I wouldn't have boiled rocks, so maybe I need some education ? I built a fibreglass background for my Cichlids, looks cool but did have a toxicity issue for a wee while. I'm a bit of a DIY hack n slash aye !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reptilez Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 This tank looks awesome. I wouldn't have boiled rocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 i wouldn't have either, i would have just given them a scrub if i thought they needed it but only if they were dirty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lotofish Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Because these rock are very porous it is necessary to boil them and hope that you kill any bugs that live deep in the rock. I say hope because after water blasting and boiling I still had a silverfish pop out of one of the holes when it was submersed in the tank. Little guy tried to swim to safety but the :fshi: got him :happy2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Because these rock are very porous it is necessary to boil them and hope that you kill any bugs that live deep in the rock. I say hope because after water blasting and boiling I still had a silverfish pop out of one of the holes when it was submersed in the tank. Little guy tried to swim to safety but the :fshi: got him :happy2: why would you want to kill them by boiling? they are food for your fish haha 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.