New African Tank questions

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Bleeding

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 14, 2006
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KC, Missouri
Is there any special requirements for an african tank in terms of lighting?

I have a pretty standard 55 gallon tank with the regular hood/light...

I am using crushed coral for the base (under egg crate), getting some hiding rocks, and have a huge filter.


Anything else special?
 
Will this 50/50 bulb fit into a standard hood? Can you give me a link to one at an online store?
 
Nothing special is needed, besides what you already have. IE you just want to make sure water parameters stay stable, and lots of filtering. (IE with mbuna we tend to overstock to keep aggression controlled, and then the haps just get big...)

Lights just get the kind you like the best, I honestly don't leave mine on unless I am around.

Oh though for lights I would personally suggest one with more blue in it... It just makes most africans look better. I just picked up some cheap homedepot lights since one of mine went out. Ugh the only good thing is that it makes red come out, but honestly there are only like 2-3 fish that that is the color you want to accent.

Anyways good luck there is plenty of advice out there. I can't stress how important it is to read a little up on the fish before you just buy them but I am sure you already know that seeing as you already have crushed coral for a buffer.
 
I have a 100 gal Tang tank that has two tubes. The front one I have "daylight" and the back one is a "blue moon". Brings out the blue colours nicely!
 
Keep their PH round the 7 mark if you need buffers then get bog wood etc..
i found that if i kept their water temp between 24-25'c (which is at the colder end of the scale of what they prefer) it made them more active.
Also make sure you move their decorations, rocks etc... around every few weeks to drop aggression levels. They also like pebbles to dig in and spit at other fish... lol not sandy substrate.
I also used a daylight tube which i found really brought out their colours. Try Improvit for cichlids if you can get it, it has ALL the vitamins they need and really enhances colour.
 
RonTheRHOM;1261051; said:
Keep their PH round the 7 mark if you need buffers then get bog wood etc..
i found that if i kept their water temp between 24-25'c (which is at the colder end of the scale of what they prefer) it made them more active.
Also make sure you move their decorations, rocks etc... around every few weeks to drop aggression levels. They also like pebbles to dig in and spit at other fish... lol not sandy substrate.
I also used a daylight tube which i found really brought out their colours. Try Improvit for cichlids if you can get it, it has ALL the vitamins they need and really enhances colour.
Click to expand...

confused are you sand do not use sand, or do not move the sand around... lol

I stay on the cooler side on my tang tank since I hae large fish that are awaiting a new tank. but my other tank I keep warmer and see much for activity
 
mike dunagan;1262118; said:
confused are you sand do not use sand, or do not move the sand around... lol

I stay on the cooler side on my tang tank since I hae large fish that are awaiting a new tank. but my other tank I keep warmer and see much for activity
Click to expand...

I was never confused..lol
I meant don't use sand
 
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