1St Malawi Tank - Help Needed

[peter212693]

Hi all,

I currently run a fluval roma 200L tropical community tank which is around 2 years on now and running solid. I had a nano reef tank which with a 2 month old daughter was getting too much and I have closed this tank down. Now im looking to convert the roma into a malawi tank but I have a few questions.

1. Im running an Aquamanta EFX400 canister filter which is rated for up to 400L tanks and runs a 1400lph flow. Is this enough on its own?
2. What is the best rock to use? Im thinking limestone, not sure why but seem to be widely available.
3. Buffering pH? Is it worth running coral sand with normal sane to give it a boost?
4. Peacock / haps or mbuna? Peacocks / haps seem to have a more vivid colour but are mbuna more active? Im looking for nice colours but really want a nice active tank. I have also heard people saying a mbuna tank is stressful due to all the aggression?
5. Stocking? How many fish should I aim for in my 200L? I know you need to overstock due to the aggression but what numbers do you recommend?

Cant think of anything else at the moment but im sure I will! Any other advice please throw it out there.  :tu: 

Cheers
Pete

 

[RRaquariums]

Question

1. yes that filter should be fine for a African tank.

2. limestone should work fine whatever rock you go with try to get long thin peaces that you can use to make lots of caves and crevasses for hiding.

3. I never tried to mess with the ph in my cichlid tank because mine where locally breed and where used to my water but if you intend to order your cichlids on line then a longer acclimation time may be needed when you first get them so they get used to your ph.
On a side note I used pool filter sand and it worked great plus it's cheap.

4. In the end pick whichever type you like best I've found that all the African cichlids are very active and pretty much all of them seem to be aggressive I've even mixed all the types and had it work so it really comes down to how you have your tank laid out that will decide how aggressive it is.
The best way I've found to curb aggression is lots of caves, hiding places and high stocking numbers.

5. The mane thing that counts in a cichlid tank is bottom space more bottom space=more fish cichlids are a bottom dweller and will spend lots of time there but right of hand for a 200 liter tank I'd say 25-28 fish again it all depends on your tank dimensions and what fish you go with.

 

[Ryan10]

I personally like having a peacock/hap tank.  I also have some calvus in with them and a goby cichlid. I feel they give you more options with stocking and tank layout. 

 

[peter212693]

Thanks guys, RRaquriums my dimentions on the tank are:
 
100 x 40 x 55 cm
 
Does this alter the numbers at all? I know it still depends and the adult size of the fish I choose bu roughly?

 

[RRaquariums]

With that wide of a tank I'd still shoot for about 25 fish maybe 28 if there on the small side when fully grown again what makes this posable is having as much rock work as you can the more hiding places the better.
And if you have any other questions always feel free to ask

 

[peter212693]

Thanks mate,
 
My tank is currently around 2 years old so is nice and mature. Is it safe to add all the cichlids in one day (after removing the others) or is it best to cycle it again slightly with ammonia (higher dose) before adding the cichlids?

 

[peter212693]

Starting to take shape now. Stock moved on and gravel removed today and tonight I played with the scape. What do you think?
 

 

 
Cheers

 

[*pete*]

I like it, rockwork looks so much better when you stick to the one type.

 

[peter212693]

Change the middle rock today as it didnt look right / natural:
 

 

 
Got two bags of argos play sand to go in tonight once its washed.

 

[peter212693]

1.5 Bags of argos play sand later and im very pleased, still a little cloudy but:
 

 

 

 
I thought the argos sand might have been a little dark but it looks excellent and at £2.99 a bag you cant go wrong! It did take a bit of cleaning but nothing too difficult.
 
Im going to order a 2nd external filter this week ready before the fish with a 2nd hydor inline heater on it just as a backup.

 

[Ryan10]

Looking good.

 

[peter212693]

Dilema now is stock, do I go for either:
 
1) Saulosi tank with a group of jalo reef. (20 ish Saulosi and 4 jalo's)
 
2)Msobo tank with group of jalo reef. (Same idea as the Saulosi)
 
2) Mixed tank:
 
4-5 Red top Hongi
4-5 Red top Ndumbi
4-5 Jalo Reef
4-5 Msobo
4-5 Yellow labs
 
I just cant decide, what do you think guys? I like the idea of a species tank but im afraid only a few males will fully colour.

 

[sawickib]

I would try to make more nooks and crannies, ive never had cichlids before but i think that would help lessen aggression.

 

[peter212693]

Thanks for all the help in setting this up guys. I went for a Msobo tank with a small Jalo Reef group. Aggression wise it has been fine, I was expecting much much more be for a mbuna tank it seems very calm!
 
Added a 2nd APS EF1400+ filter (UV off unless I need it in the future):
 

 
Fish are doing well and some nice algae for them to graze on has started to grow:
 
http/youtu.be/QkTb0GND0_M
 
Couple of pics of the male Jalo Reef:
 

 

 

[paradiddle]

Fish are looking great, well done!
as far as fish food goes (not that you asked) i HIGHLY recommend New Life Spectrum Cichlid formula/Ultra red, depending on where you live its readily available most places.