Ideas for a Mbuna tank?

[Stevie2steezy]

To me, the rocks are the best way to go because it would mimic what mbuna see in the wild in lake Malawi. If you look at footage of the lake it's basically just a rocky bottom. Another way you could imitate this would be to create a 3-d background yourself with lots of small caves and overhangs. You can use expanding foam or Styrofoam to do this, there are plenty of methods. Quick youtube search will bring up a bunch of tutorials. You could also use some tough-leaved plants in the tank. Mbuna will pick at most plants but there are some which can hold up to it well, I've had good luck with anubias and crypto sword plants in mbuna tanks.
On the hybrids, it may be an interesting concept, but please don't let the hybrids leave your tank if that happens. Don't sell them or give them away. Most will probably be eaten by the mbuna, and you could also add synodontus catfish (like s. petricola for this tank size) which live with african cichlids in the wild and will also help eat the fry.

Never thought about having a catfish in my mbuna tank. Sort of assumed it wasn't an option haha thanks I'll look into it! Would be cool to add a different kind of fish in there

 

[The Morning]

I have synod cats and have stocked with haps that like to eat fry. Still get a few here and there but not nearly as many in the past.

 

[Stevie2steezy]

hey all....

So I was setting up the stand for my new 55 gal today, and I ran into a hiccup... the corners of the stand dont line up flush with each other. I'm assuming its not safe? What other options do I have to making this work? 3 out of the 4 corners of the stand are like this...



I was going to wait until next week to do this after my finals, but this morning I noticed that one of my fish's tail is almost completely missing, and her pectoral fins are almost completely missing too. I'm guessing the fish have been too aggressive in my 29 gal... so I need a reply ASAP if i dont get one I will try posting this in a new thread... but just thought I'd hit this thread first.

 

[Stevie2steezy]

Set up the new tank. Construct an elevated rock hardscape, do an "instant cycle" with your used filter media. Transfer the current stock & watch the show.
You'll figure out what adjustments need to be made.
Chances are that most fry will be consumed by tankmates, unless actions are taken to save them.
You will probably want to add more Mbuna as things progress. Be sure to do your homework before buying.
Consult the forum when problems arise & provide updates.

Any ideas on how to fix my tank stand ? ^^^^^^^^

 

[The Morning]

Any chance that you could get a large enough board to lay across the top of the stand? I would think that would work but may want to wait until some of the tank/stand builder guys respond.

 

[dr exum]

Full pic pls

 

[dr exum]

Fo you have a level?

 

[Stevie2steezy]

Any chance that you could get a large enough board to lay across the top of the stand? I would think that would work but may want to wait until some of the tank/stand builder guys respond.

thats what I was thinking because I read somewhere that someone did that. However he didn't wait like 4+ months to report if it actually worked out so I figured I'd see if there are other options or what other people's experience is with this situation

 

[Stevie2steezy]

Fo you have a level?

I'm sorry what do you mean level?

 

[dr exum]

Are you saying this corner is not perfectly flush? (Red)

I’m not understanding your problem.

Or are you talking of the foam (blue)

Shim (Plastic if you got them) n level n ur good.

The stand is store bought ya?