Help with Malawi tank...

[wattheconheo]

I've been doing alot of research lately and have gotten really excited about the challenge of breeding Malawi Cichlids. At the same time I like to build an aquarium that is pleasing to the eye and makes the wifey happy. I currently have a 200 gallon with an arowana, tigrinus and dats. Frankly, its kinda boring cause it is somewhat of a bare tank. Recently, I scored a killer deal on a 240 acrylic and will be adding another big tank in the house (after alot of begging and shopping for her, I wish I can from decisions).

I've been wanting to do a 3D background for the tank and will do it but need some advice. I have been reading this person DIY and I notice that with his clean look and design, there isnt alot of caves for the fish to breed. Am I wrong and could his design be perfect for the fish to breed? I am building a background that mimics this person tank.

I want to be able to offer an environment for the fish to encourage them to breed at the same time eye pleasing for viewing. I will be stocking the tank with roughly around 75-100 1-1.5" cichlids (of course when the cycle and water conditions are perfect). I will be adding playsand (silica sand) and rocks that will match the background.





So here are the following questions I have:

With the design of the individual above, do you believe the fish will be able to breed within the aquarium and have an area to hide for protection?


If not, what should be altered so that the fish do breed or have a protected area?


With a design like this would you have a W/D system or would you have canisters?


Would you have regular fluorescent lighting or power compacts (the tank is
24" deep and will have no live plants)?


I dont like the whole "stacking rock" look cause it somewhat dirty to me (no offense to anyone) but is that the only way cichlids will breed?


Does anyone know anything about DIY moonlight?
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/diy_moonlight.php






Any inputs would greatly be appreciated to the construction of this aquarium.

 

[Crazy Taco]

carved tuffa is the way to go. no background needed just piles high to the top of the tank. it makes a great effect and a breeding haven for fish and with all the rock it makes great hiding places for fry.

Thats what I have done and it works amazingly.

 

[ewurm]

You'll get a better response in the African Cichlid forum, I'll move this to that forum.

 

[Wimmels]

It completely depends on which type of malawi you wan't to keep.

Are you going for the Mbuna, you will need a lot of rocks and holes.

Are you going for the Haplochromis, you need more open sandy areas

 

[johnny_1993]

2nd pic not enough rocks for those fish when breeding
you need rock piles with heaps of hiding places

 

[johnny_1993]

crazy taco- pics? :-D

 

[Crazy Taco]

I will get some pics for you this weekend. IT works for me I keep yellow labs, demasoni, and acei and all my females are pregnant all the time.

 

[ikevi]

OK, so then since you are saying that you want to have so many fish in the 240. That is going to mean you are going with mbuna types. Now if you want to breed... well are you planning on doing a few species or you don't care about cross breeding.

Now with the assumption of mbuna sand will be good, and the more rocks the better. (Both for the young to survive, plus well mbuna are rock dwelling fish.

And before I even really get to your questions... Instead of play sand get pool filter sand. You will be happier with many less problems and very little extra cash out of pocket. (Plus you wont be having to replace impellers...)


So your questions:

Yes they will breed... but if you do the background, you can in fact put caves into them. (It will take more time and work but if you are trying something that looks that good I assume you are willing to do the work.)
Still I would add more piles of rocks. Types don't really mater, but well again mbuna are rock dwelling fish.

Canister vs W/D... Which one do you trust more? If the tank is predrilled then just go with W/D. If not well I like canisters a lot, but you will need like two fx5s if you want to pack as many fish as you plan to and have breeding.

Lighting. I would say regular fluorescent... but not the cruddy home depot light scale (IE the ones very heavy on the red). Get the ones with more blue in them that you can get at fish stores or other light places, a little more exspensive but well worth it for viewing the fish.


I see you don't like stacking rocks... Well you don't have to do it... but with mbuna you really are going to cut down on the number of fish you can have be comfortable. Also remember these are not open water fish. They like to be by there hiding places... It is your choice they still will breed less will survive, and there will be more aggression.

As for lighting... Heck anyone can make there own lights. I personally would think about doing something with blue LED's just since then I could put them directly on my canopy (IE they don't get hot) and then they will never be in the way.

Ok good luck on deciding what you want to do.

If you want to go haps/peacocks... well again breeding would have to be like 3 species if you don't want hybrids. Also Rocks and lots of hiding spaces wouldn't be needed. (Still it is smart to break line of sights.) And to top it off you would have to have a lot less fish.

Ok time for me to eat dinner.