Trying to convert to a Tanganyika setup

[Beliak]

I've had a 55 gallon for a little bit, but I wanna restart as a Tanganyika setup instead of the mix and match thing I've got going. All of what I have are juvies, none over 4-5 inches. Been doing alot of reading up on here regarding max sizes, finding out what fish I bought from the "Mixed Africans" tanks, finding out that the ones I have gotten from the mixed are cichlids that would never survive in a 55 due to adult sizes...

So, My setup is a 55 Gallon. It has an Emperor 400 and Emperor 280 on it. When I bought it it came with a generic brand 200 watt heater which I intend to upgrade eventually. Currently has 1 24 inch light on it... When I purchased the tank, it came with 2, the hood was broke on it, 1 of the lights went out, and ive been too broke/lazy to buy a new hood. It currently has Eco-Complete cichlid substrate in it, couple bags of the shell mix with the zack black on top. I have some rockwork built up in it. Mostly generic rocks, couple nice peices with gold flakes in them, have some Texas Holey Rock stacked in the mix as well.

Like I said, I would rather convert to having just Tanganyikas. I currently have a White Calvus, which I think are amazing little fish, it's only about 1.5" atm, maybe 2" at best. Defintely wanting to get another Calvus, maybe 2-3 more. Would looooove to get a Black Calvus, but they're a bit more spendy than I can afford right now everywhere I've looked.

Looking for suggestions on what else to throw in the mix to make it look interesting. I love the colors of the various other cichlids, but Calvus is by far my favorite, so I'd rather work around them.

Also curious how to keep the pH higher than 8.2. My tap water is around 7.8. The Eco-Complete stuff keeps my Tank at around 8.2-8.3. Then again, my pH test kit only measures up to 8.2 as-well.

Any suggestions are appreciated. The city I live in only has petsmart and petco, which both disgust me. But my mom lives in a bigger city which actually has some specialty shops that might be able to order me some stuff.

 

[mike dunagan]

Look into small lamprologus and Neolamprologus species and tell us which you liked.

 

[Beliak]

From what I saw, I liked :

Neolamp Furcifer
Neolamp Marunguensis - Though it says they're pretty aggressive
Neolamp Petricola
Lamprologus Callipterus

Also like Altolamp Fasciatus and Altolamp Compressiceps.

I'm not really that interested in the smaller shell dwellers. Havent come across many that I've liked.

 

[Beliak]

Been doing more looking. Thinking about a set up along the lines of:

4 Altolamp Calvus - Various colors
1 or 2 Altolamp Compressiceps
2 Julidochromis Regani(Kipili)
1 Neolamp Marunguensis - If I can find one.

Wiuld something like that work? Increase/Decrease amounts? Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[Mokujin22]

For non-tropheus/petro setups, the most important thing to consider is the habitat that different fish occupy. Tangs are small compared to Malawian fish, but can be meaner than hell.

Try for a group to occupy the upper levels/open water (cyps), one to occupy rocks (altolamps or julidochromis) and one to occupy sand or shells.

This will minimize competition for territory and aggression between species.

Another thing to consider is that comps and calvus will interbreed, regardless of color pattern. Once a bond is formed, they will stick together and the male will defend his territory. If you're not concerned about keeping fry, this is not a big deal as they will get picked off by the other Altolamps pretty quickly (as a responsible fish keeper, mixed Altolamp fry should be culled). Just watch out for aggression between them and whatever other rock dweller you put in there.

As a rule of thumb, a 55 can support about 3 pairs of rock dwelling fish if you scape it right. In the long run, the non-paired fish may get harassed to death or spend their days hiding next to the filter intake.

 

[Beliak]

I already decided to drop the compressiceps. So should I drop the calvus down to 2, keep the julies at 2, up the marunguensis to 2, and find some bottom and top fish?

 

[Mokujin22]

I already decided to drop the compressiceps. So should I drop the calvus down to 2, keep the julies at 2, up the marunguensis to 2, and find some bottom and top fish?

Yeah, that would probably work. You may have to start with 4 of each and remove "extra" fish as they pair up. If you talk to your local fish store before you buy them, you can sometimes return the extras at a later date (assuming they are healthy).

I have never kept marunguensis, but they are similar to brichardi. I would add them after the other fish are established as they have a reputation for taking over a whole tank when paired up.

 

[Beliak]

I intend to keep the Marungs in a 10 gal for starters. Until I get the rest of my rock dwellers at the least. I've been looking for Marungs all over and couldn't find any till I saw an auction for them on Aquabid. I figured id nab them up before they disappeared. I purchased 6 of them. I plan to get a pair of them and try to sell the other 4 to a fish store i go to a lot. Any suggestions for Shellies or fish for the top? Ive looked into Shellies, and the Pearly Occie looks pretty cool. Read they don't do very well in a community tank. Multies are also interesting. But I'm not sure how to keep them. A lot of places say colonies? I haven't looked much into Cyps... or other top dwellers yet...

 

[Mokujin22]

Nice pickup on the marungs. Not all that common a fish.

I'd say go with either occies or brevis, two separate piles of shells in the foreground with 4-6 shells in each pile if you have the room. Multis are awesome tough little fish when adults, but somewhat fragile when small. They can sometimes get bullied/eaten by adult Altolamps or larger julidochromis (marlieri). They would probably be fine for a while with that mix as Altolamps take forever to reach maturity and you're looking at doing regani.

Try for a group of at least 6 Cyprichromis. Do one of the smaller varieties ( I have Cyp leptosoma Utinta).

Check out the video of my 75 in my signature. It's a large group of goldhead comps, Cyp leptosoma and Paracyp nigripinnis. I have 8 comps, but no other aggressive rock dwellers, so hopefully they'll be alright down the road.

 

[Beliak]

Those Utinta look pretty cool. Nice coloration on them.

With keeping occies, would i go with a pair of them, or a colony? And if im going with a colony, how many would you suggest for a 55? I'm not completely set on getting the Regani, it was just the my first instinct. Marlieri i read was the more aggressive of the julies so i'd stay away from them regardless.