30 gallon setup

[JoeBoxer]

Hi all

Considering upgrading my red tiger mota to a bigger tank faster than expected, so if I do I'm considering turning my 30 gal (36x12x18) into an African cichlid tank. I had ACs in a 75 gallon many years ago. All I remember is the back was stacked to the top with lava rock and that I had to remove the auratus because it was super aggressive.

My questions are:

How many mbuna would be good for this size tank?

I'm considering a mix of 1 male per species. 1 cobalt zebra, 1 yellow lab, etc etc. Good idea? Bad idea? I don't want to mess with male:female ratios and breeding if I can avoid it.

I don't want to stack the tank completely full of rocks. I am thinking having a pile at the bottom but keeping a lot of the tank open. I know this is usually r commended more for haps and peacocks but every mbuna tank I see theyr just at the top begging for food the whole time. Let me know your thoughts.

I basically want a fairly easy to maintain tank that is colourful and Nice to look at while sitting on ththe couch. I know these guys usually won't have the same wet pet personality as CA cichlids, so I'm not expecting that.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

J

 

[DJRansome]

36" is too small for anything on your list except yellow labs IMO. 1m:4f if you are locked into them. Personally I would do a dozen Pseudotropheus saulosi...but that is the only mbuna I would recommend for a 36" tank.

If you are doing mbuna I would do more than one rock pile...or do one really big one that dominates the tank. There are some peacocks that would be happy with the minimal rock in a 36" tank (kandeense for example)...but then you have the silver females.

 

[JoeBoxer]

36" is too small for anything on your list except yellow labs IMO. 1m:4f if you are locked into them. Personally I would do a dozen Pseudotropheus saulosi...but that is the only mbuna I would recommend for a 36" tank.

If you are doing mbuna I would do more than one rock pile...or do one really big one that dominates the tank. There are some peacocks that would be happy with the minimal rock in a 36" tank (kandeense for example)...but then you have the silver females.

How long until the typical mbuna would outgrow my tank?

 

[DJRansome]

Zero months for yellow labs (they are sold at 1.5" and spawn at 1.5"). Three months for Metriaclima like the cobalt. For all-male mbuna (which is NOT an easy care tank) you want 48"x18" rectangle.