You Be The Judge?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I agree on the underground filter comments. My reasoning is thatI use that really for added current throughout the tank.

Thanks,
 
that castle would look amazing if you made it into a planted tank like with a wood around it or drift wood coverd in moss would look amazing
 
I almost prefer the castle theme as it is something different, and looked well done.

I see naturally decorated aquariums everyday here at home.
 
I like the castle look, but to me, the more natural you can get the better the tank looks. You can make it look cool and different with castles, or something similar, (and that is nice) OR you can make it look like you just took a piece of nature and framed it, to me that is spectacular!

100x better IMO, but you are the one that has to stare at it all day, do what you like the best!
 
hi, you havea really nice setup there, the questions im gonna ask for for criticism, but curiosity. does that scat get bullied by the cichs? i thought that they had to be in brackish water? and what is the current pH of your tank? you would need to get it up to 8.2 for optimum conditions for the cichs, but im not sure if the scat would like that ...


for my own malawis, i use marine gravel, and ocean rock, with a lil bit of spaghellti rock, this buffers up to 8.2, which really brings out hte colour of the malawis amazingly, but nice setup anyways.
 
Hi,
I think the castle set up was pretty nice. Something tasteful unlike other "aquarium toys" available. But natural look is always better.

The wood will take time and will sink after a week or two of being submerged under water.

I have a few suggestions. Since you have a D.compressiceps (Malawi eye biter) you can plant some vallis in one corner for it.

Also, if possible or whenever you change the setup again, do consider having a darker and finer substrate. African sand is will be good for your tank.

Rest your collection is pretty good. The fish are healthy and coming out well. Good luck.

Whats that round Scat like fish silvery fish you're got ?
 
To address some of the questions above, I'll start with the PH level. Currently the PH sits at 8.0. For cichlids from Malawi, the PH can range form 7.5 to 8.5 to keep them happy. Some will disagree with that but I've always found success in that range. The silver fish are skats (2 of them) can live in freshwater or saltwater. I bought them in freshwater and can't change their surroundings due to a lack of time and resources. What is interesting is that Lake Malawi Cichlids need a higher PH than other freshwater fish and it is very close to a saltwater level. So for a little over a year now they have all lived together and I haven't had any problems yet. As for the "eyebiter," he is slowly becoming more aggressive with all my fish except the loaches. For some reason, he isn't even remotely inclined to chase the loaches. He will chase the skats occasionally but for very short periods of time.

I'm curious if anyone else has "eyebiters" and how big are they? I'm a bit worried that he may get much to big for that tank fairly soon.
 
I have one he is smaller than some of the fish I believe they get around 8" I like the natural look better as well but with the drift wood keep an eye on your ph. Get another tank and put the castels in it with some neon tetras and other smaller fish to scale then that would be nice as well.
 
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