Hi all,
I'm setting up a 400l Malawi community and need a little help with a few bits.
I've gone with a midnight blue plain background by painting the outside of the back and I'm leaning towards a black or dark coloured sand.
I've read a lot about the different types of sand but what's the best for a cichlid community, I've seen the eco-ready pre-seeded with bacteria stuff but they charge like a wounded rhino for it and I've got access to used filter media etc from a friends set up so don't need anything that special.
I'm just after a decent dark sand that the fish will prefer and if it could also buffer the ph that would be welcome.
Moving swiftly along to the rocks question. The tank is 24" high so to get the rule of thirds large focal point is going to big a big lump so what rocks would go with my planned scheme and not weigh a huge amount.
I'm guessing a lighter coloured rock will be better with the rest of the tank being dark but really need some advice and suggestions before I make a mess of things.
The tank is a main feature in the living room and I really want to get it right and make a stunning looking set up if I can.
Thanks in advance for any help you folks can offer.
I'm setting up a 400l Malawi community and need a little help with a few bits.
I've gone with a midnight blue plain background by painting the outside of the back and I'm leaning towards a black or dark coloured sand.
I've read a lot about the different types of sand but what's the best for a cichlid community, I've seen the eco-ready pre-seeded with bacteria stuff but they charge like a wounded rhino for it and I've got access to used filter media etc from a friends set up so don't need anything that special.
I'm just after a decent dark sand that the fish will prefer and if it could also buffer the ph that would be welcome.
Moving swiftly along to the rocks question. The tank is 24" high so to get the rule of thirds large focal point is going to big a big lump so what rocks would go with my planned scheme and not weigh a huge amount.
I'm guessing a lighter coloured rock will be better with the rest of the tank being dark but really need some advice and suggestions before I make a mess of things.
The tank is a main feature in the living room and I really want to get it right and make a stunning looking set up if I can.
Thanks in advance for any help you folks can offer.
