New 55gal Mbuna Set Up

[Mark123]

Hello,

Have just set up my 55 gal (48'15'18') again after a few years of not keeping fish.

It is filtered by a Fluval 203 (have read this is good for tanks up to the size of mine) and an internal eheim. Is this sufficient if I change a good amount of water every week?

The tank has Coral Gravel as a substrate and loads of tufa rock with planty of places to hide.

I had major problems with agression in my old mbuna tank, I believe this was down to not having enough fish in the tank (only had a max of 8 before). I am looking to try stocking the tank a bit more heavily this time to try and reduce the aggression.

What is the max number of fish and what combination of fish you would reccomend in a 55gal if I want a really lively tank!?

 

[darrel69]

Hi.

It is filtered by a Fluval 203 (have read this is good for tanks up to the size of mine) and an internal eheim. Is this sufficient if I change a good amount of water every week?

How many litre's per hour (lph) do they both do ?

I had major problems with agression in my old mbuna tank, I believe this was down to not having enough fish in the tank (only had a max of 8 before). I am looking to try stocking the tank a bit more heavily this time to try and reduce the aggression.

What is the max number of fish and what combination of fish you would reccomend in a 55gal if I want a really lively tank!?

Have a look HERE , it reccomends suitable stocking for your tank. Though personally, for aggression issues, id go with a thew more. However, people may tell you otherwise.

 

[dthoffsett]

I'm thinking you may be underfiltered for a fully stocked mbuna tank. With mbuna you want to overstock to cut down on aggression (as you learned from your earlier experience), so excellent filtration is a must, it's generally recommend that your filter(s) turn over your entire tank a minimum of 10 times per hour. So, for your tank, you want a total filtration of at least 550gph.

As for numbers, I'd aim for around 12-15 adults, preferably 3 species of 1m/3-4f each. You'll also want to avoid the more aggressive species such as metriaclima lombardoi (commonly sold as the Kenyi) and any of the melanochromis species.

 

[jgray152]

It is filtered by a Fluval 203

I have a 55 with Mbuna cichlids and my 304 (bigger and newer than yours) , couldn't keep up at all. Your 203 will not be able to keep up. Manufacturer ratings are a little out of this world. My 304 says its good for up to 70 US gallons. it MIGHT be possible if you had small community fish but not cichlids.

 

[Mark123]

It is filtered by a Fluval 203

I have a 55 with Mbuna cichlids and my 304 (bigger and newer than yours) , couldn't keep up at all. Your 203 will not be able to keep up. Manufacturer ratings are a little out of this world. My 304 says its good for up to 70 US gallons. it MIGHT be possible if you had small community fish but not cichlids.

Looks like I am going to get another external filter then.

I am sure the 203 and Internal filter will be ok for a few months when the fish are juveniles while I save for the other filter.

 

[Ferris]

The 203 should be fine in the short term if the fish are juvies.

 

[Mark123]

The 203 should be fine in the short term if the fish are juvies.

I am hoping so! Gonna get the tank moved and set up this weekend hopefully. Have missed having fish!

Gonna go round the local fish shops and see what they have got as well!

 

[Ferris]

It's been a while since i setup a new tank but it's one of the best bits of fishkeeping - enjoy!

 

[Mark123]

The tank is all set up now and is looking lovely!

Now got to get the fish!

Am thinking of:

Yellow Labs
Red Zebras
P Socofolis

What other fish do you thing would go well with these.

Want something really brightly coloured and lively!

 

[pauly]

Lets see some pics mate

 

[Mark123]

Cant put up any pics only have a computer a work.

What do people reckon about a combination of fish then?

Am having problems with what to get!

 

[dthoffsett]

The tank is all set up now and is looking lovely!

Now got to get the fish!

Am thinking of:

Yellow Labs
Red Zebras
P Socofolis

What other fish do you thing would go well with these.

Want something really brightly coloured and lively!

Those sound just fine, I'd go for 4-5 of each (1/3-4f each except for the labs).

 

[Mark123]

The tank is all now up and running and am cuurently doing a fishless cycle which seems to be moving along quickly (possibly due to the fact that the gravel is from an established tank?)

Have been thinking long and hard about which fish to stock.

Am thinking about

Melanochromis johannii

Labidochromis Caeruleus

Pseudotropheus socolofi
or
Pseudotropheus Demasoni

Iodotropheus Sprengerae

Metriaclima Estherae
or
Metriaclima Callainos

All would be kept in groups of 1M/3F except the Yellow Labs & Sprengerae which can tolerate more than one male in the tank. Are these pretty compatable with each other or would I encounter problems?


Any advice for me please people?!

 

[dthoffsett]

The tank is all now up and running and am cuurently doing a fishless cycle which seems to be moving along quickly (possibly due to the fact that the gravel is from an established tank?)

Have been thinking long and hard about which fish to stock.

Am thinking about

Melanochromis johannii - as they are one of the melanochromis species they are very aggressive.

Labidochromis Caeruleus - great fish, I think every mbuna keeper should stock them at least once

Pseudotropheus socolofi - another nice fish, would look great against the yellow of the labs
or
Pseudotropheus Demasoni - these are a fantastic species, however, due to high conspecific aggression they are best kept as either a single specimen, or in groups of 12+

Iodotropheus Sprengerae - pretty peaceful for mbuna

Metriaclima Estherae
or
Metriaclima Callainos
M. estherae & callainos both have similar temperments, for looks I prefer callainos.

All would be kept in groups of 1M/3F except the Yellow Labs & Sprengerae which can tolerate more than one male in the tank. Are these pretty compatable with each other or would I encounter problems?


Any advice for me please people?!

I would drop the m.johanni because of aggression, and would pick a maximum of 4 species. IMO 24 adults would be a little too much for a 55gal.

If you really like the p.demasoni they would be a classic pairing with l.caeruleus. You could go with 12 p.demasoni & 5 l.caeruleus, both species get along very well and look stunning together.

 

[Mark123]

Thanks for the info

Looks like I am going to go for Labidochromis Caeruleus, Pseudotropheus socolofi, Iodotropheus Sprengerae, Metriaclima Estherae & Metriaclima Callainos.

I think these fish will look lovely together, a really nice blue & yellow mix with a bit of brown thrown in for good measure!

Except for the Labs & Rusty's are all the other males very intollerant of there own?

I am thinking about just getting 4 of each fish and seeing how things work out!