Starting a Malawi Tank

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ldschmdit29

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 22, 2009
184
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Huson Valley NY / Where ever the USMC sends me
I recently found someone wanting to trade some reef stuff for his African cichlids on Craigslist. As it turns out I was looking at taking down my 29G biocube and giving it to my wife to get her into Fish Keeping(fresh water). So I e-mailed the guy and I am giving him everything inside my biocube (sand, live rock, corals, fish, inverts...) which I have put a lot of money into but I know ill never get my money back, But this guy is going to trade me for the following:

7" Champsochromis Caeruleus (Torpedo Cichlid)
5" Fossochromis Rostratus
4" Haplochromis Lithobates (Zimbabwe Rocks)
5" Haplochromis Ahli (Electric Blue)
5" Tangerine Tiger
4.5" Haplochromis Fuscotaeniatus (Fusco)
3" Labidochromis Kakusa (Yellow Lab)
3.5" Haplochromis Strigatus
2" Placidochromus
2" Haplochromus Lithobates
4" Red Tailed Shark
(3) Synodontis Cats (Includes one small Decorus)
3.5" Albino Bristle Nose Plecostomus

Ive never done Malawi cichlids but know a little bit about them and this seems like a pretty fair trade for the both of us. I am putting these guys (all males) in a 125 gallon. Is that big enough for all these fish? There are two Peacocks already in it (juvi's). He cureently has them in a 4 foot 120 gallon. I am putting them in a 6 foot so they should spread better but I am just looking for any advise on keeping these guys! I added tons of rocks to make caves the whole back lower portion of the tank is stacked rock. I currently have black gravel down and fake plants. I am filtering this tank with (2) aquaclear 110's and (1) fluval 405. Can I add something to the trays in the 405 to buffer my hardness and PH...Im at neutral right now 7.1ph ish (out of the tap), and 100ppm Hardness and 55ppm alkalinity, I keep the temperature at 79. I also have a piece of driftwood in the tank which I know everyone says is bad for cichlids but I love the look so Ill try and keep if it unless it just doesnt work out. I'd appreciate any advice ya'll have on this setup or the fish in it! Or if u have pics of a similar setup that would be great!
 
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DSCN1029.JPGi just started keeping some africans in a 55 gallon if you like mad active fish then there the way to go. i like this little blue guy i have
 
because it lowers the PH?
 
Here is the set up ive got so far...Plenty of caves?
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In the case of the mbuna, feed a vegan diet, otherwise they'll bloat up and die. There are flakes that specifically don't use any meat, and advertise as such, but you should be safe if you just read the ingredients on the back.

Also, haps eat fish, and they get bigger than mbuna, so that will probably be a problem in the future. It's the mbuna that live amongst the rocks... the haps live in open water. It will also be a problem trying to feed the haps something with animal protein in it if the mbuna also have access to that food.
 
Thanks for the tips guys. I put some crushed sea shells in my fluval im going to see if that raises my PH and stuff and avoid take the driftwood out. As far as Mbunas, I don't believe any of these fish are? right? lol...thanks and I'd appreciate any more info, oh BTW I did read that article good stuff!
 
He already has them together, so I hope not but we will see?
 
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