180 Gallon Mbuna Tank Journal

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kevin007

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 25, 2008
123
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Toronto
Planning stage

I have been shopping around the past few weeks and saw some good deals, I'll be picking it up in the near future, so I thought I might as well do a journal on it. I have already located where I will be buying the equipment. The best deals, etc.

Stocking

20 Yellow Labs
15 Aceis
15 Rusties
15- 25 Demasoni
1 RTBS
3 BN Plecos

Fry will be left in the tank, I plan on letting them populate the tank so I can save some money. A colony of 40-60 Demasonis of all sizes will look stunning. All the fish will be 3 inches max. and I'll sell the fry when I feel the tank is overstocked

15 Bottom Feeders

My first choice would be Synodontis Multipunctatus, but if they are $20 each for a juvies and $40 for adults, I might go with the Clown Loaches. I'm torn because I have always wanted a large tank with Clown Loaches, but on the other hand, I have read some horror stories about this combination as well as a school of Clowns looking awkward in an mbuna themed tank. But I have heard success stories. The bottom feeders will be the last fish I add, I'll worrry about it later.

What do you think about adding a couple of Haps for na ceterpiece? ie dolphin cichlid? Comps?

Decoration

The tank will be 6x2x2 filled with limestone and playsand. Exactly the same as my 55 Gallon tank but on a larger scale. I plan on having 2 large piles of rocks on the 2 corners, leaving open space in the middle. I'm also considering a 'fry pile' for the fry to hide, either underneath the 2 limestone structure or at the 2 corners at the front so I can keep an eye on them or remove them if necessary.

The play sand will be regular playsand from homedepot.

Depending on the amount of light I'll have, I might try to grow some anubias, vals or java fern.

Filteration

- An eheim 2217 that is currently running on my 55 Gallon
- 2 Fluval FX5 for the superior water circulation.

What media would you fill each canister with? ie: two for biological filtration, one for mechanical, all 3 with biological/mechanical, etc.

Any thoughts on the filtration?

Water circulation

From my research, I've found out that water circulation is often a problem in large tanks, the FX5 offers very good water circulation. My original plan was to hide the 2 outputs in each of the 2 rock piles to provide good circulation. But then I saw some powerheads that weren't too expensive and now I am considering putting those in the rockpiles instead. Putting the 2 FX5 outputs near the surface with nothing blocking it for even better circulation.

Which brand is the best?

a) Maxi-Jet Powerhead
b) Hydor Koralia
c) Hagen Aquaclear Powerheads

Do you think the powerheads are necessary?

Heating

I'll hide 2 heaters, a 300 watt Hydor Theo and a 400 watt, one on each corner behind the limestones. Will this cause any problems? Since they have different watts? The 300W is currently used in my 55 Gallon?

I'll be picking up the equipment by this weekend if all goes well, any input is welcomed, thanks.
 
I think you have everything pretty well covered. I think powerheads are not needed since you will already be over filtered. 2 FX5s is plenty since one is good for a 300 gallon tank. As far as filter media I mix all my filters with biological/chemical media just in case one goes down for some reason. I don't use carbon either. Only when I need to clean medication out of the tanks.

With your rockwork and that many mbuna you need to make sure you have at least one cave per fish so you may want to consider adding more rock work.

My opinion on the bottom feeders is that if your first choice is the Synos then get them no matter what the cost. I know places that sell nice size individuals for around $15-$25 and they are adults. The money you will already be investing you may as well not go cheap with clown loaches. In my opinion the synos are a nicer choice anyway. Not many people go with a good size group of them.

Your heaters will be fine. It doesn't matter if they are different wattage.

Keep us updated, especially with pics, and I hope this helps.
 
The Demasoni are aggressive but mixing them with Yellow Labs is a good idea. The Yellow Labs have some type of calming effect on the Demasoni. I had a tank with 2 Albino Yellow Labs and 30 Demasoni and they got along great til the ex overdosed them on Melafix. You will be fine with the numbers you have.
 
Hello, thanks for the input. The only fish that will go in for sure are 7 yellow labs, 6 Aceis, 5 Rusties and the 1 RTBS, this is because I already own them in my 55G. Most of my cichlids are breeding and I plan on gradually increase the stock that way. I will start with 15-25 Demasoni because they are less agressive in small groups, I'll let them breed, do their own thing until the tank looks overstocked, then I'll probably sell some.

I thought about adding a few centerpiece fish but I think it'll throw the scale off balance. I prefer the look of smaller fishes in a large tank.

I'll make sure I have enough hiding places for the cichlids, I'll be using the same kind of rocks and sand in my 55 Gallon. I have roughly 150lb in my 55Gallon, I'll be looking at roughly 500 lb of limestone for the 180 with eggcrate underneath. I'll also stack the rocks very differently, the lack of depth in the 55 made it hard to stack.

:) Thanks
 
good luck man, post some pics when you get started.
 
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