28 gallon bowfront tank build

[muskieboy]

So I am starting my 28 gallon bow front build. When I took it out of storage I new it had a leak so i stripped off all the old silicone and I will reseal it tomorrow, I am using GE 1* clear silicone for windows and doors. I am going to put african cichlids (yellow labs) in it. Also the live plants I will use are going to be java moss, java fern and anacharis. I am going to use play sand as my substrate. I am also going to make a diy stand/canopy for it. I have a few questions.

1. Should I put organic potting soil under my play sand?
2. I have heard that the soil makes the water acidic and that some fish don't like acidic water, do yellow labs like it?
3. Should I put in limestone because it raises ph, I hear that african cichlids like high ph.
4. To help jump start my cycling should I ask for some water/gravel from my petstore or do you think it has diseases (pj's pets)

Thanks

Here are some pictures

 

[muskieboy]

So no one knows about my questions 1 and 2, I need to know because I am setting up my tank soon.

 

[muskieboy]

Well we did the reseal and to be honest it looks like we did it during an earthquake lol. We could not find any masking tape so we just did it
It turned out quite ugly.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

I would not use the organic potting soil, especially if it makes the water acidic. As you stated, yellow labs (and any african cichlid) like alkaline water (AKA basic and high pH). You really should try for a pH above 7.4. Higher is better, but if it is above 7.4 out of the tap then I would not mess with it. Adding limestone would be a good idea, or you could add crushed coral to your filter or substrate (you could also do both the coral and limestone).

As for live plants I would suggest not going that way. Mbuna like to dig and they will likely continually dig up your plants. Also, if you don't use hardy plants (don't really know about live plants, so the two you chose might be) the mbuna will shred them.

Getting some substrate from your LFS might speed up your cycle, but it depends on how they keep their tanks. It would be better to get some filter floss or something from their filter. That is where most of the beneficial bacteria is. If you can only get substrate I would suggest putting it in a mesh bag and hanging it in front of the return of whatever filter you will be using. That will help to disperse the beneficial bacteria into the tank. Oh, and adding water won't really do anything. There isn't much BB in the water. I will also add that you need to be careful getting stuff from other people's tanks, because you will introduce any parasites or other bad things they have. So be careful.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

Also, how many yellow labs are you planning on adding to the tank? You could probably do a breeding group of 1M:4F, but don't overdo it. Normally I would suggest a 55g as the smallest for mbuna, but it can definitely be done with good tank husbandry in a 28g.

 

[Dylz]

honestly i dont think that size tank is appropriate for mbuna type cichlids. i highly recommend you go with something that is 4 feet long. your fish will thank you for it

 

[joe jaskot]

I agree with Dylz. A 26 or 28 gallon bow tank is way too small to keep a group of yellow labs in. A tank that size would be good for keeping some of the smaller dwarf african cichlids. Don't even think of using organic potting soil with cichlids that dig.

 

[muskieboy]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. Yes I know the tank is not very big. I am probably going to get some small ones (1"-2") because my lfs is having a sale for 4 for 10 bucks. Also they have live plants on-sale for 3 dollars.

 

[wrslrcichlid]

Well, the size you buy them now really doesn't matter unless you are going to upgrade. Yellow labs can get over 5". It really depends on the footprint of the tank on how long it can work.

 

[muskieboy]

I honestly think the tank is fine for now. I can always buy a larger tank.