New 55g, plan on stocking it with some Africans

[Murko]

Today I managed to grab a used, but in perfect condition 55g plus stand for only 60 USD. I already had a 55g with a divider housing a 6" Buttikoferi and a juvie Midas. What I plan on doing is leaving the Midas in the 55g to grow it out to himself because I already attempted adding a tankmate, another juvie Midas, and he tore him to shreds.

After I set up my new 55g I am going to transfer the Butti and wanted to add some small Africans along with him. Is there any of you guys with 55g African set ups and if so, what type of filtration and substrate do you recommend?

I was thinking a white sand substrate and some rocks for them to Hide from the Butti. Can you guys recommend a good set up for me? I need filter, air pump/power head, and heating recommendations.


Thanks in advance

 

[toehead11183]

i use marineland biowheels on everything. i have a 350gph biowheel on my 55 but if you can i'd recommend adding a small canister filter also. i have two 350 biowheels and a 350 canister filter on my 150. the 350s are rated for 75gallons.
substrate: i use crushed coral in the 55 but do not recommend it. its sharp and abrasive to the fish but my wife likes it and it her fish. in my 150 i use eco complete cichlid sand and recommend it or another type of sand with buffering properties like agronite. if sand isnt your cup of tea, eco complete makes a cichlid substrate which is mostly shells. ive used it too and it work. all of the above will naturally buffer your tank to 8.0 +/-0.2.

follow this link for some ideas: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95235

my 55 is the 3rd one. (yea, i won!!)

 

[Murko]

Hey man I think I have the same filter on my current 55g that is divided, running a 350 Bio wheel and a canister I purchased here in Japan. My tank is the 55g Marineland, and my new one is the exact same minus the filter. I keep reading talk on here about AC110's and stealth heating, where can I buy those for cheap?

 

[toehead11183]

i dont know if they ship to you but check into www.drsfostersmith.com

 

[tarheels910]

i use marineland biowheels on everything. i have a 350gph biowheel on my 55 but if you can i'd recommend adding a small canister filter also. i have two 350 biowheels and a 350 canister filter on my 150. the 350s are rated for 75gallons.
substrate: i use crushed coral in the 55 but do not recommend it. its sharp and abrasive to the fish but my wife likes it and it her fish. in my 150 i use eco complete cichlid sand and recommend it or another type of sand with buffering properties like agronite. if sand isnt your cup of tea, eco complete makes a cichlid substrate which is mostly shells. ive used it too and it work. all of the above will naturally buffer your tank to 8.0 +/-0.2.

follow this link for some ideas: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95235

my 55 is the 3rd one. (yea, i won!!)

The 350s are rated 30-75 gallons. One on a 55 is underfiltered. I have 2 on my 55. I didnt even know we had that photo contest. The picture of my tank was really crappy and dark. Oh well.

 

[tarheels910]

Whao I just read that a Butti is going in the tank. That limits your choices of fish to .... well.... none.

 

[Murko]

Whao I just read that a Butti is going in the tank. That limits your choices of fish to .... well.... none.

why is that? I have read that Buttis have been housed successfuly with Mbuna so I wanted to attempt it. just need to know what filtration people recommend. Would 2 EMP 400's be good?

 

[Wolf3101]

Youd be a lot better off with an E400 (emporer) for your 55 gallon that a penguin. Higher bio capacity and much more reliable. I also run one Hydro5 sponge filter in each of our 50/55/60 gallon tanks.

We also use...recomend and love crushed coral. It comes in several grades by the way. If you use #3 or above then the sharpness is an issue but if you stick with #1 or #0 then its way too fine to be a problem.

 

[tarheels910]

why is that? I have read that Buttis have been housed successfuly with Mbuna so I wanted to attempt it. just need to know what filtration people recommend. Would 2 EMP 400's be good?

Yes, two 400s is good. Thats what I have one on of my 55s. I still dont recommend mixing the mbuna and the butti, but its your choice if you want a massacre.

 

[Rakie]

I still dont recommend mixing the mbuna and the butti, but its your choice if you want a massacre.

+1.


Buttikoferi get huge (Over 16") so a 55g tank won't even house them for life... For awhile yet, but not life. Secondly, they are extremely, extremely aggressive... It will kill anything you put with it.