mY 60 gallon hex

[kee]

Hello all. I just put the finishing touches on my 60 gallon hex tank which I plan on putting some mbunas in.. I know that this tank isn't the ideal tank to put cichlids in, but I plan on putting some colorful mbunas in and focusing more on the smaller ones..

Open to suggestions- crituques etc

kee

[Innovator]

The tank size/shape is just fine for cichlids. I would create bottom shelves with larger rock pieces and build upwards so that there is enough crevices throughout the bottom/middle water columns. You can throw in a couple "stick-pieces" of driftwood if you want to break up a "boulder themed" tank. Other than that, good to see it up and running

[kee]

thanks for that feedback! I tried to structure the rockwork to be higher- but it keeps toppling.. The rocks are VERY big/heavy etc.. If I could focus the camera more on the tank (and I will try to retake some to showcase) but there are quite a few caves/tunnels. I just snapped some pics with my blackberry to get a 'before' pic- then hopefully a stunning 'after'

kee

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

I finally get to see the project that we have been talking about in chat.

Looks good so far. I think it would like so much better if you could get some more rocks and stack that higher, but I read that they kept toppling over, so that might be a problem. If it is a huge problem, you could by some slate and start stacking that, you can make so many caves and such with slate, I have some in my cichlid tank and it works pretty well.

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Also, try adding some live, or good looking fake plants. I never had plants in my cichlid tank. I just recently adding some fake plants and it make it look sooooo much better. Even though most people avoid even fake plants in cichlid tanks because of the fact that cichlids live in rocky, sand, not really planted, enviorments.

[kee]

thanks Ben! We just now got done re arranging again- and we were able to acheive some more height (which I think it looks better) and I thought the same thing about adding some fake plants- just a couple.. keep the feedback coming!


rearranged to get more height


close up to show caves etc

[Innovator]

Don't throw a rock at me, but another option in aquascaping is to line large rocks on the bottom following the contours of the aquarium (circle), adding flat pieces as shelves whichever way you please, and continue building like an open pyramid. I notice many of your rocks look to be very round and squat so I would go hunting for some reasonably flat pieces (slate is a good option as previously mentioned)

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Looks better, but I see few actual caves. I see a lot of holes, but no caves. Try for more caves some how

[kee]

okay- I added a couple plants.. It jazzed it up some




Excuse my kid's hands- they're getting antsy- I am too LOL

[FishCrazyBenBOMB]

Any updates Kee? I'ts been like 2 months lol.