I am wanting to start a 55 gal mbuna tank. I have 1 filter now and need another. I want to know what other filter to buy? Right now I have a canister, eheim pro 2 for 90 gal. Also my water is VERY VERY VERY SOFT. What do I use to make it hard? thanks in advance
question 55 gal mbuna
- Thread starter fishnoob
- Start date
Crushed coral is the way to go. If you want to use sand or regular gravel (that is common with the box stores), you can use lace rock or holly rock. Most pet stores carry that. There are chemicals to raise your PH but I don't recommend them. As for filters, it depends on what you want. With a nice canister like the Eheim, I would also run an AC110 HOB.
With my mbuna tank, I use sand and layers of river rock but then again, my water is 7.8 PH right out of the tap.
With my mbuna tank, I use sand and layers of river rock but then again, my water is 7.8 PH right out of the tap.
Its a certain filter made by Aqua Clear. It is model number 110. It is considered by many to be one of, if not the best, HOB (Hang On Back) filter. I run one with my Rena xP3 canister filter on my 55 gal mbuna tank. The water is crystal clear even if I'm forced away on business and miss a water change.
My local Petsmart will order the rock for me. You can ask them. You can also check out any local rock companies. You can score a ton of holly rock from them for a steal compared to Petsmart or Petco. Look in the garden or landscaping section of the yellow pages for them.
My local Petsmart will order the rock for me. You can ask them. You can also check out any local rock companies. You can score a ton of holly rock from them for a steal compared to Petsmart or Petco. Look in the garden or landscaping section of the yellow pages for them.
stable water is better than fluctuating water. Just keep it as stable as possible. A lot of petstores use tap water on these fish. The PH around you should be the same as them.
Using chemicals is a matter of opinion. If you want your fish to thrive you need to replicate their natural environment as close as possible. I use chemicals in my system and all my tanks. I also use sand as a substrate and lace rock and holy rock for hiding places. I keep my ph around 8.4 for the malawi cichlids and 9.5-10 for my tanganyikans. You cannot get ph that high with out chemicals. In making their environment that close to the lakes they originate from you get more spawns and healthier fish. I never change the water in my frontosa tank. Key word NEVER. The malawi fish get once a week water changes. I use epsom salt, sodium bicarb, cichlid salt and malawi or tanganyika buffer to keep my ph stable. Forget using the crushed coral unless you are not breeding and just have a show tank then all the other stuff isn't as important.