60gal Hex Tank ready for Rift Lake Cichlids. Pics.

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lujor

Feeder Fish
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May 8, 2007
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Finally have my 60gal hex tank set up and [pretty much] ready to stock. It is 27" wide from corner to corner, 24" wide from flat side to side, and 29" tall. Getting the Texas holey rock is what took so long- I couldn't find it at a reasonable price. There is about 60lbs now, but I may add more later. I set it up in a pyramid stack with a bunch of caves, crevices, and access points on all sides. There is egg crate on the bottom and about 50lbs of Rift Lake EcoComplete. I'm using a 200watt heater to keep the temp about 77F. For now, I am running a "precycled" Emperor280, but when I get about halfway stocked, I am going to add a "precycled" Fluval404. I am a little unsure about what species I want to stock with, but I am pretty set on Malawis. I am trying to figure out which fish are best suited to this type of tank. Obviously, I can't have anything too "Monster," but I set this tank up for color not size. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

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Thats a lovelly little tank there mate.

I reckon a select group of all male mixed peacocks would look beautiful.
Or, you could go for a species only tank, with say 4 male and 10 female Salousi.

I think you need to decide what colour you like, what catches your eye.

Either way, Im sure you could have a stunning collection.
 
Every so often I will move the rockwork to vacuum. May also use a powerhead or something to clear crap out of caves and crevises sometimes. Will do weekly water changes and usually work around perimeter of rock.
I love Peacocks. I had a local breeder tell me that he thinks some Haps & Labs may be better suited to a hex tank. I want a variety of colors, which is why I like the Peacocks. Also, will be hiding heater better soon.
 
Great looking setup!

If you want peacocks, personally, I would go with a group of dwarf peacocks (A. maylandi or A. kandeense). Jakes may get a little whiley in there. Stuartgranti may do alright as they are not as aggressive typically.

Alternatively, what Torbayguy said, Ps. salousi or maybe Ps. demasoni.
 
With the help of a local breeder, I stocked 5 peacocks all about 2.5": male & female Eureka Reds, Yellow Jake, Sulphur Head, & a Ngara Flametail. The local guy said I can trade out at any point for any reason. He is actually recommending I get a couple more to make sure there is not too much quareling. I asked about stocking limits when these guys get bigger, and he said it wouldn't be for quite a while. Also said I could trade them in and start over when the tank got overwhelmed. I will post pics soon.
 
Sounds like it will be a great tank!

Eureka Red = Line bred Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "caroli" (Otter Point)
Yellow/Lemon Jake = Aulonocara jacobfreibergi (Undu Reef)

Watch out for these guys hybridizing. They can and will if (and when) the Lemon Jake is dominant. They're really mean buggers. I may consider swapping out the female for another male - she will raise aggression in the tank and get harassed.
 
Mokujin22;4544779; said:
Sounds like it will be a great tank!

Eureka Red = Line bred Aulonocara jacobfreibergi "caroli" (Otter Point)
Yellow/Lemon Jake = Aulonocara jacobfreibergi (Undu Reef)

Watch out for these guys hybridizing. They can and will if (and when) the Lemon Jake is dominant. They're really mean buggers. I may consider swapping out the female for another male - she will raise aggression in the tank and get harassed.
Click to expand...

Breeder told me to keep at least one female in tank because the males will "peacock" for her; ie. show their best colors. I am new to Africans, and I keep reading or hearing dif opinions. It was one of those situations where I pretty much took everything he said as gospel because he's been keeping and breeding them as long as I've been alive. He also made less money off of me by selling me the female- I told him I wanted 3 fish, and he gave me 2 males & a female (that cost less than the males) instead of all males.
 
lujor;4547182; said:
Breeder told me to keep at least one female in tank because the males will "peacock" for her; ie. show their best colors. I am new to Africans, and I keep reading or hearing dif opinions. It was one of those situations where I pretty much took everything he said as gospel because he's been keeping and breeding them as long as I've been alive. He also made less money off of me by selling me the female- I told him I wanted 3 fish, and he gave me 2 males & a female (that cost less than the males) instead of all males.
Click to expand...

Nah, I hear you man. Different stuff works for different folks. I think you're off to a really good start. Just keep an eye on them to make sure they're not hybridizing, that's all. :)
 
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