Plans for my new tank

[sr71pav]

Hi all, a week or two ago I posted looking for ideas for my new tank that I'll be getting in the next month or so (Hey, I like to plan ahead ). I've decided that I liked the idea of mbuna's for it so I've been going with that idea in mind. I'd just like someone to look over my thoughts as a sanity check.

It's a 90gallon tank (lots of fish!). Was just planning on getting a simple glass hood for it and a simple two-bulb light fixture. For substrate, just some play sand for the substrate and I was thinking limestone for rock decoration (I'm from Indiana, and I just can't help myself). I saw somewhere that I should probably get some eggcrate or something to put down beneath the rocks so they aren't sitting directly on the glass.

As for filtration, I was hoping to do a couple of Aquaclear 500 power filters. That way there's plenty of extra filtration should it become necessary. The only thing I haven't really figured out yet is a heater. How much should I need? Should I get two smaller ones instead of one larger one and place them on opposite sides of the tank.

And, of course, there's the livestock. Let me know what you think:

Melanochromis Joanjohnsonae (Exasperatus)
Pseudotropheus Crabro (Bumble Bee)
Pseudotropheus demasoni
Cynotilapia afra (Cobue)
Labidochromis caeruleus

I'm thinking I should get 4-6 of each with a total amount around 25-30 (correct?). I'd also like to get a bristle-nosed pleco or two.

Thanks for any comments you have. I just want to have everything figured out when the funding arrives (tax refunds! woohoo!)

 

[Ferris]

I like your fish choices and i have kept all the Mbuna you refer to together in a 55 gal with no major compatability problems. Sounds good!

 

[freddyk]

My thoughts are this:

Eggcrate is for the paranoid - get it if you make if feel better, but the tempered glass of the 90 gallon tank can more then handle the rocks without it - I've never used it and I've had some serious rockscaping going on.

Nice filtration (it will become necessary), nice fish (very aggressive setup) and generally a good plan all around. Limestone helps to keep the water buffered too.

I'd skip the bristlenoses for the simple reason that algae grazing is one of the most natural behaviors these fish exhibit in the tank, unless they have no algae - then all they have left to do is chase and fight. I always let a thick carpet of algae cover the rocks and the mbuna love it.

I just use a single 250 watt ebo jagr in my 90 gallon and it's been doing the job for a few years now.

 

[keane]

Eggcrate is for the paranoid

That'll be me then!!!

sr71pav....your set up sounds excellent, although with the filtration you are talking about you could easily get away with another 5 - 10 fish IMO.

steve

 

[sr71pav]

35 or so then? Cool. I'll probably just get a couple more of some of the ones I have listed there. Unless of course someone has an idea for yet another species.

Glad that so far it looks like my thinking has been proper.

 

[freddyk]

I think you're good with what you've planned. 6 of each and a few extra Demasoni - they're extra mean.

Don't forget, in the end you will want harems, so you'll want to start off with extras in order to achieve this, by removing and returning extra males.

 

[G_Sharky]

Sounds like a plan... Everything is good Dude, I wouldn't bother with the eggcrate for the rocks, what I did personally was put a thin layer of gravel first then I put the rocks and after I put the rest of the gravel, just make sure nothing will collapse when your mbuna starts to dig..a single 250 watt heater would do find, I use a 200 Watt on my 75 and the temp never flunctuate....

 

[whip]

As for the heater question. I was always told 5 watts per gallon. You would need 450 if you use that formula. The post above seem a little under powered, but it seems to work for them. Two small ones are safer than one large heater incase one fails. I would use at least 300 watts. good luck.

 

[hitmanhart62089]

get an african eye biter they are awsome

 

[sr71pav]

Well, after doing some further research, the plans for this tank are on hold probably until August. I have a two and a half week trip planned in mid-July. From what I can tell, since I intend to do a fishless cycle, I'd be adding fish sometime just before I left on my trip and that just doesn't seem like a good plan (or it might not even be done then). In the meantime, I have at least been slowly acquiring the necessary equipment so that I can get more or less jump right in when I do finally get started. I do have to say that, wow, the AC500's are huge!

As for livestock, would 10 demasoni and 6 of the other four species be ok? I'm getting really itchy over this whole thing and it's all I can do to not just jump in now!

 

[Ferris]

Sounds a good plan, the extra Demasoni will help spread the agression and your propsed stocking levels are fine. Good luck with it and keep us posted.

 

[sr71pav]

I'm thinking I'll probably keep a running journal here when I finally get everything going. I've seen a few around and they seem to generate some pretty good comments.

 

[sr71pav]

I've pretty much decided that I'm going to use Tahitian Moon for the substrate. I mentioned using limestone rocks earlier, but I have a quick question. Being in Indiana, where the water's good and hard already, the limestone isn't going to cause problems, is it?

 

[freddyk]

Being in Indiana, where the water's good and hard already, the limestone isn't going to cause problems, is it?

Nope, you're cool.

 

[sr71pav]

I picked up some play sand today. I'm planning to have some limestone and some darker rocks for the main rockwork with some smaller river rocks scattered about for effect.

I've been rethinking my stock and am now leaning towards replacing the lab. caeruleus with lab. Hongi. Any thoughts?

I find I'm actually enjoying this strung out planning phase right now as it allows me to properly think decisions through as well as pick up tips/ideas before I make mistakes.