Mbunas and Live Plants?

[ExoticEctotherms]

I am in the process of setting up a new mbuna tank and was wondering if anyone out there keeps live plants with these guys. I know that with their constant excavation work it is hard to keep plants rooted, so I was thinking of getting some Anubias barteri, which will root into driftwood and even onto rocks. It is also a plant that most omnivores will not eat. I also like the fact that live plants will consume some of the nitrates in the water.

Let me know if anyone has any experience doing this....as well as if it is even a good idea at all. If anyone has pics it would be a bonus.

Thanks.

 

[ikevi]

I think the Anubias barteri would be eaten. But even then it might work. I have had luck with java ferns/moss but also the faster growing plants. I don't remember there names. But I just tend to toss in whatever plants I get at an auction for dirt cheap and then by ~6 months I have to toss in another bag since the old ones don't do the greatest. (IE I have never had a tank that the plants ever need to be trimmed.)

 

[TheFanatic]

I have a planted African Tank that is mostly peacocks, but it does have some MBuna. Couple large Yellow Labs, couple Kenyii, an OB, etc. my plants are doing fine so far.

My plant stock list includes some very large Amazon Swords, Crypt Wentii, Java Fern and Jungle Val. And some other plant that I can't identify. All are growing new leaves. The Crypt were the last to jump into the mix. Oh, and a Anubias Nana. It didn't do well. Had to trim it back to 2 leaves. It didn't do anything for about a month. It just sprouted a new leaf in the last couple of days

Here's a pic from 2 weeks ago (the Jungle Vals are now in the back)

 

[Scotty]

Thats a great looking tank. How many fish in total? Plants look really great. I have found that if you plant before putting in the fish the success rate is improved. Vallisneria seems to do the best. Every now and then it is uprooted but I then just replant.

 

[TheFanatic]

Stock list:
2 large male yellow labs
1 large male Kenyii
1 small female Kenyii
1 Auratus
2 Tretacephalus
1 Strawberry or Crystal Red Peacock
1 OB Peacock
1 Sunshine Flametale Peacock
4 Julidichromis Marleri – two small and two large
1 Red Empress
1 Red Topped Zebra
1 Zebra Obliquidens
1 Ngara Flametail
1 German Red
1 Ahli
1 Syno Multipunk
2 Syno Decorus
1 Bristlenose
1 Tiger Pleco
3 Clown Loaches

 

[TheFanatic]

Thats a great looking tank. How many fish in total? Plants look really great. I have found that if you plant before putting in the fish the success rate is improved. Vallisneria seems to do the best. Every now and then it is uprooted but I then just replant.

I haven't had much problems with uprooting since the first week or two. Changed the substrate to sand and the roots had to reestablish a "grip" so to speak. Since then I have been good on plants.

The tank has only been around for about 3 months. It has been set up for about 15 years but I just gutted it 3 months ago.

 

[Muske]

Fanatic.... Do your fish dig around the base of the Vals. That is the only one that my fish seem to do anything to. I will be using sand in my next tank so it is good to hear all have re-established and looking good.

 

[TheFanatic]

They don't dig around them much that I have seen. I would look at where they are placed. Is food collecting around the base that is causing the fish to root around in that location?

I had mine out in front to see if they would grow. Once they took off I put them in the back.

I would recommend using root tabs at first. With brand new substrate I decided to give all my plants a little something extra to help them re-establish that grip with their roots. That and not a lot of gunk filters down through the sand the way it does with Gravel. I will say this, the Sand is an amazing substrate. I wish I had tried it earlier.

 

[Muske]

Nice... I think my fish see a few stray roots popping out of the gravel and think it is a food item. That is what I think at least. I was hoping you did not use any ferts. for the plants, my phos. in the city water is high.

 

[TheFanatic]

Nice... I think my fish see a few stray roots popping out of the gravel and think it is a food item. That is what I think at least. I was hoping you did not use any ferts. for the plants, my phos. in the city water is high.

Well, for one thing, sand is really easy on the roots if they do get exposed. Just push them down into the sand with your finger.

As for ferts, yes I use them. Kent with no extra posphates. I also put a posphate remover in my canister filter. That seems to do the trick. I have my lights go on at 11:30 am and go off at 11:30 pm.

My only algae eaters are a tiny bristlenose and a small tiger pleco. I have very little algae in my 110 gallon tank...Don't overfeed, regulate the lighting (I use a timer on all my tanks), do water changes, and put in a posphate remover and you can fertilize...