Changing From Planted To Cichlid

[emsvaughan]

I currently have a 260litre, 4ft tank, which is set up as a planted community tank. As I already have a 180l tank which is planted, I would like to change the 260l, and was thinking of a malawi or tanganyikan.
I have 2 externals running on it, along with one small powerhead,and external heater. It currently has substrate of JBL aquabasis, covered with black river gravel, which will obviously have to come out.

Now I will need some rocks and different substrate, and wondering what you guys recommend/have. I have seen some tanks with what looked like big pebbles similar to the ones you can buy in B&Q. Also what stocking level and stock would be appropriate.

 

[kiriyama]

Hi , I would imagine your tank would be big enough for Malawi, I don't know anything about them other than they get big and you need to go stock heavy to filter down aggression, if you wanted to go Tanganyika I would suggest Brichardi, Lelupi, Leptosoma, Nigripinnis, Julidochromis Regani, you could probably have Calvus or Frontosa, if you wanted a few shell dwellers you could check out Neolamprologus Caudopunctatus, a couple of these and some big shells would ensure some digging, I'm not suggesting all these fish, just that you check them out to see what you like, check out doresy profile and signature as he has a nice Tanganyika tank, in a tank that size I think you could even have Synodontis(spelling) , lovely big catfish.
You can use Ocean rock and Tufa rock, crushed coral sand topped with any sand you like or even Caribsea fine grade Cichlid sand (I should be on commission with these guys lol)... These will all get the pH to where uou want it to be and still have room for big round pebbels and even plants if you like, hope this helps get some ideas and good luck , let us know how you get on.....

 

[emsvaughan]

Thanks for the reply, I will check those fish out and read up about them. Would I need alot of rock, or just whatever I feel looks right? I will definitely check out doresy's profile and look at their tank.

 

[kiriyama]

Don't think you'll need lots , depends on what you want to set up, I think the Julidochromis and the Paracyprichromis Nigripinnis like a lot of rock to explore/hang on to, you could stack it up, with the ocean rock the Juli will hide in all the holes, I hollowed out my Tufa rock and put a small hole in it, nice cave,
http/www.cichlidrecipe.com/shellweb/shell_intro.htm
http/www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/category.php?cat=14
http/www.duboisi.com/forum/
http/www.shelldwellers.com/
http/www.gcca.net/fom/Neolamprologus_multifasciatus.htm
Hope these links help (and work) , one of the Malawi folks should be along soon to give you even more choice, Yellow Labs are nice too.....

 

[emsvaughan]

I was thinking of having an Aquaterra background, until i saw the price and how much room they take up, so know think I could put some roofing slate, against the back wall of the tank, and stack the rock up so it is leaning back against it, he slate will then help disperse the weight of the rock against the glass, well in theory anyway...

 

[kiriyama]

Some big pieces of slate would look nice and also show up the coloures on your fish. Only have a 30cm deep tank and was thinking of large flattish pieces of tufa, sawing them down a bit, hollowing them out and having them vertical at the back of the tank as a sort of cliff with caves, I'm sure your tanks going to look good whatever you do with it....