*help*Setting up a new 55 gal colum

[Gho3t]

Hey,

I am looking to setup a mbuna tank with my 55 gal freshly clean out tank. I am trying to find some sites or other members tanks to get some ideas on the hardscape. I found out I should have small rocks for bottom and and bunch of hole rocks. Anything else I should add?

As always thank you for any advice

 

[haywood]

you could do something like my tank with lace rock (cheap)

 

[Mokujin22]

For the substrate, most prefer a mixture of crushed coral and pool filter sand. The crushed coral will buffer the water, but won't be necessary if you use lace rock or holey rock. Most Africans enjoy sifting the sand, looking for food.

 

[Gho3t]

I went to home depot and found a 50lb bag of pea gravel for 4 bucks and was thinking about using that. On another thread here I read that crush coral was bad since it has so many sharp edges. Right now at my LFS x2 20lb bags of crush coral would cost me about $45. I have to check to see if my buddy can still hook me up with some pool filter sand.

Haywood awesome looking tank and thanks for the pic. Trying to get some ideas. I been thinking about doing a Center hill built of rocks full on caves. So the fish and swim around it. Since its a colum I have plenty of depth to play with.

 

[mark5019]

i used pool filter sand from

they re arranged it to there standards

 

[Regalblue]

I like using lace rock. ($0.45/lbs )
& crushed coral mixed with reg.aquarium gravel
IMO- pea gravel is too big. & sand is too light, python sucks too much up.
I also prefer bio-type aquariums. So, I let algae stay except on the front glass.

 

[Gho3t]

Well due to a sudden stuiped roommate move I had to use tank money to plug up a gap in my wallet >_<. As you can see in the pic I decided to use play sand and use tuffa rock to help buffer ph levels. I am looking to add a lot more rocks along the back and some java rocks up front. Any ideas or suggestions please let me know. First african cichlid tank and I know im not the greatest hard scaper.

 

[jerzyperson]

i just started a front tank, its simply a grow out right now, but its getting me ready for large scale scapeing for the fronts. i have a 100% crushed coral substrate, with lace rock as caves and also threw in a cave for the cats i have. i will keep an eye on this thread as it is helping me out as well. heres my tank, i personally like the crushed coral.

the water is a little yellowish from the play sand i had and the drift wood. so a couple more water changes and that should be taken care of. but getting there.