Setting up a hap. tank and need some help with the rockwork set-up so I can have it as close to their natural enviorment as possible. I know they need less rockwork, and any advice would be greatly appreciated and pics. would help also to see where to set up rocks without compromising there open swimming.
Setting Up A Hap. Tank/ Need HELP With Rockwork
- Thread starter Malawi Hawk
- Start date
Well haps are open water and sand sifters. So less rock. The rocks that are in their natural environment would be larger and smooth. If you are wanting to help with aggression just make sure they break the line of sight in a few different places.
So just enough rockwork for them to lose the fish in pursuit? I'm doing pretty good with aggression but of coarse a few get picked on.
For your average open water haps in a 6 foot tank, a couple big rocks along the back along with some jungle val at each end would probably work well.
What type of haps and what size tank will have a great affect on what kinda rockwork set up you want to have.
If you could give us a general stocking idea, as well as a tank size, we could probably give better suggestions.
Also, if you want some visuals, Cichlid Forum has a lot of tank pictures.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/tanks/
Just go to the drop-down menu on the left and pick Malawi Haps.
What type of haps and what size tank will have a great affect on what kinda rockwork set up you want to have.
If you could give us a general stocking idea, as well as a tank size, we could probably give better suggestions.
Also, if you want some visuals, Cichlid Forum has a lot of tank pictures.
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/tanks/
Just go to the drop-down menu on the left and pick Malawi Haps.
I have 4 buccochromis nototaenia,1 Red finned borleyi,4 placidachromis electra, 2 peacocks( one Walteri and one Blue Regal),1 fossochromis rostratus,2 O. lithobates (one red top and one yellow blaze Z-rocks)1 Copadachromis Mloto,2 protomelas insignis, 3 Ch. Rhoadesii,1 Moorii, and one venustus. All my fish are males. I have a 75 gal. but will be upgrading to a bigger tank when my fish start to get bigger. Some are 3 inches, 2 are 5 inches and the rest are 2 inches or so. I run 2 emperor 400's. I have 2 fake rocks with holes in the in about 3 different entrances/exits in the cave rocks. I been using only one because I'm afraid they take up to much space and take away from the fish open swimming area. So anyway I was thinking of getting 2 rocks to put in the corners but am worried about weight, and what kinds of rock. I don't want to have to add egg crates either. SO SHOULD I USE BOTH FAKE ROCKS OR JUST STICK WITH THE ONE? It pushes them up to the mid water range to swim, still leaves room to swim behind and around of coarse. Last little note I've been thinking about switching to sand, I have fine gravel now, but with the sand I don't know if I like the waste sitting on top until time to clean, and plus I've never used sand before. Well hope I didn't give to much INFO. LOL!!!!
Oh I've had a Hap. tank for a couple of years but just never knew what rock work to do to give a good balance. When I place the 2 fake rocks in there it seems they fight more, but when I add just one I'm afraid fish will be easier targets for aggression since less hiding places. So I guess I'm trying to figure out what is the best option or what I can do better.
So they are going through the peking order? I guess that makes sense since I just added 12 fish last Tues., But some good advice on rocks still would be appreciated.