Recent content by Finatic

75 gal Malawi Peacock (gonnabe) with a Rena XP3 and Emperor 400.

If you really want a colorful Cichlid tank, go with Peacocks (males). You can get some great colors especially with the crossbreeds. Don't get me wrong, I love my reef tank, but I didn't have the budget to set up another 75gal tank. The Cichlid tank was about 1/5th the price. Cichlid...

Is this what is happening? This guy blames it on poor acclimation and says he has seen rays form other starfish while most of it died. http://www.reefs.org/library/article/starfish_acclimatisation.html Quick aside here. Can someone tell me why Linkia especially are so prone to being...

I have both SW an FW. Cichlid tanks can be as colorful as FW tanks, but much much cheaper to set up initially. FWIW

How did you acclimate him?

I filled my media baskets [above the 30 ppi foam] up with Matrix, Rings, then stars (2 bags) in that order from bottom to top. Got rid of the BiochemZorb and put a little filter floss over the top set of starz.

Wow quick responses thanks so far. I had thought about that, but at the same time, I have read that Yellow labs and peacocks can live quite happily together b/c the Labs are not your typical aggressive Mbuna. At worst, I would trade in the Labs, which my LFS is quite happy to do. Thought I...

Okay, so I've finished cycling a 75gal and have put in a few Yellow Labs to start things off. Now, I can't decide if I want to keep going the Mbuna route or house Peacocks. From all the research, it just seems to me that 1) Peacocks are much more colorful, but larger fish than Mbuna, so more...

I just bought an XP3, so I can't speak about long term use, but I don't see any joints on the cannister that can leak onto your floor after some use. It seems sturdy and well built with good flow. Easy to setup and easy to clean with the lift lever. Priming is easy enough with a cup of water...

Just think of the beach as nature's protein skimmer. You don't want water or sand from the beach.

Deep Sand Bed is a debatable issue. For as many people that recommend it, you will find just as many that hate it. I have found that about 2-3" works well for me. I can stir it up a little with each PWC and get at the stuff that is growing on the glass under the sand level, and not have to...

Go for the sand. I started with CC and Crushed shells. I spent several weeks after that changing the substrate out. You don't want to have to do that.

Don't get frustrated early on. Once you get the tank going, things should line out and the cash outlays should decrease dramatically. Just be ready to spend more than you first budgeted. Once you get there though, it actually is a fun hobby to have. If you get inverts like shrimp, get some...