FishyPhil
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hi everyone. I have just recently purchased a used 4 foot long 60 gallon tank and stand, with Fluval U4 filter, two heaters, large two piece ship, two pumps (one being the aps 400) nutrafin mini master test kit, oh, and about 16 tetras and two large khuli loaches (which have gone into my 33 gal community tank). All this for only £50! (Roughly $79) Oh, and a 3D background! What a bargain! See picture below:
Ok, so here is the equipment i'm planning on using:
A good 300 watt heater (or should I use two separate heaters?)
2 AllPond Solutions 1400EF+ External filters, each with 9W UV light (combined = 300+ gallon rated. Is this overkill? I want extremely well filtered and clear water)
May keep the 3D background if it cleans up ok. Or possibly may tile the back with real slate tiles.
Will possibly arrange small square slate tiles from hardware store as caves and hiding places, or may just go with some other stone.
Coral Sand as a substrate (My tapwater PH is roughly 7.5. Will the coral sand raise the PH, and roughly by how much do you think?)
I'll be visiting the beach soon. Does anyone know if its safe to use small and large pebbles/stones from the beach? Would I have to soak them to remove any salt content?
This is where i'm looking for the most advice - stocking! I'm thinking about the following stocking:
8 Yellow Labs (Labidochromis caeruleus)
8 Pseudotropheus Acei
4 Cuckoo Catfish (Synodontis Multipunctatus)
Should I add more than 8 of each species of cichlid as they'll be juveniles, then remove some when they're larger to get the right ratio? If so, what numbers do you recommend?
From what i've read, the above should be fine together? However, I also love both Frontosa and Blue Dolphin (Cyrtocara Moorii). Would it be possible to have a single one of these with the above? Not together, just one or the other. I know they get big, but I would start with juvenile or mid size fish with all of the above. Perhaps then if they do get too big or there are problems I could put it in a larger tank? How long does it take for these fish to mature in general?
I'm taking my time with this setup, as I have only just completed my 33 gal a month ago I have been informed by my fiancee that I must wait until after our wedding (may the 4th) before I can start spending loads of money on this new tank! But I did save a lot on the tank itself, so that helps!
I love the contrast of blue and yellow, so that's why I like the above choices. Plus I think it looks more spectacular when you have larger groups of a couple of colours rather than a mix of everything, but that's personal choice!
What are your thoughts on my choices? I've heard the labs and acei are the milder type of mbuna?
I will keep posting more pics as I progress further with the tank! Thanks for reading
Ok, so here is the equipment i'm planning on using:
A good 300 watt heater (or should I use two separate heaters?)
2 AllPond Solutions 1400EF+ External filters, each with 9W UV light (combined = 300+ gallon rated. Is this overkill? I want extremely well filtered and clear water)
May keep the 3D background if it cleans up ok. Or possibly may tile the back with real slate tiles.
Will possibly arrange small square slate tiles from hardware store as caves and hiding places, or may just go with some other stone.
Coral Sand as a substrate (My tapwater PH is roughly 7.5. Will the coral sand raise the PH, and roughly by how much do you think?)
I'll be visiting the beach soon. Does anyone know if its safe to use small and large pebbles/stones from the beach? Would I have to soak them to remove any salt content?
This is where i'm looking for the most advice - stocking! I'm thinking about the following stocking:
8 Yellow Labs (Labidochromis caeruleus)
8 Pseudotropheus Acei
4 Cuckoo Catfish (Synodontis Multipunctatus)
Should I add more than 8 of each species of cichlid as they'll be juveniles, then remove some when they're larger to get the right ratio? If so, what numbers do you recommend?
From what i've read, the above should be fine together? However, I also love both Frontosa and Blue Dolphin (Cyrtocara Moorii). Would it be possible to have a single one of these with the above? Not together, just one or the other. I know they get big, but I would start with juvenile or mid size fish with all of the above. Perhaps then if they do get too big or there are problems I could put it in a larger tank? How long does it take for these fish to mature in general?
I'm taking my time with this setup, as I have only just completed my 33 gal a month ago I have been informed by my fiancee that I must wait until after our wedding (may the 4th) before I can start spending loads of money on this new tank! But I did save a lot on the tank itself, so that helps!
I love the contrast of blue and yellow, so that's why I like the above choices. Plus I think it looks more spectacular when you have larger groups of a couple of colours rather than a mix of everything, but that's personal choice!
What are your thoughts on my choices? I've heard the labs and acei are the milder type of mbuna?
I will keep posting more pics as I progress further with the tank! Thanks for reading