Mbuna in a 40b?

[FWFishTanks]

Yes, but I would do a species only tank. I personally would do 12-13 Pseudotropheus demasoni or Pseudotropheus saulosi as this would get you the classic yellow/blue combination.

How many males and females of these?

This tank is too small for the standard mbuna, correct?

 

[HUKIT]

How many males and females of these?

This tank is too small for the standard mbuna, correct?

With demasoni the male to female ratio isn't as important as the amount of fish due to their high conspecific aggression.

With saulosi I would shoot for 2-3 males and 8-9 females.

Yes the tank is to small for anything but the dwarf species.

 

[FWFishTanks]

Where can I buy saulousi?

 

[HUKIT]

Where can I buy saulousi?

The Wet Spot has a great selection.

Fish

Or Daves would be my first two places to order from.

Dave's Rare Aquarium Fish-Price List

 

[FWFishTanks]

Could I do a group of ten saulosi and maybe a group of some small synodontis or a BNP? What tankmates could work with these in a 40b

 

[HUKIT]

Could I do a group of ten saulosi and maybe a group of some small synodontis or a BNP? What tankmates could work with these in a 40b

I wouldn't add anything personally. If your looking for that type of set up a larger tank is going to be in order.

 

[FWFishTanks]

What is a good substrate for this setup?

 

[HUKIT]

What is a good substrate for this setup?

I use pool filter sand in nealry all of my tanks. Sand is preferered but not a requirement.

 

[FWFishTanks]

What can I use to raise ph? Crushed coral?

 

[HUKIT]

What can I use to raise ph? Crushed coral?

Why do you think you need to raise the PH?

 

[FWFishTanks]

My ph is 6.6 to 7 on average, so I though that may be too low for the cichlids.

 

[HUKIT]

My ph is 6.6 to 7 on average, so I though that may be too low for the cichlids.

Then yes in that case I would either run crushed coral in your filter or use aragonite sand as a substrate.

 

[FWFishTanks]

How is this for a good setup?
40 gallon breeder
12 P. saulosi 3 males 9 females
78 degrees Fahrenheit
Argonite sand
Some smooth rocks in a scape layout
Ac50 filter with no carbon and extra biomax

I would also want some sort of refugium to keep nitrates at a minimum. I know I would still have to do some water changes, but I would hope not as many.

 

[HUKIT]

How is this for a good setup?
40 gallon breeder
12 P. saulosi 3 males 9 females
78 degrees Fahrenheit
Argonite sand
Some smooth rocks in a scape layout
Ac50 filter with no carbon and extra biomax

I would also want some sort of refugium to keep nitrates at a minimum. I know I would still have to do some water changes, but I would hope not as many.

Sounds good but I would run a larger filter like a AC70 at the least.

 

[FWFishTanks]

Do you know any cheap refugiums for a tank this size?

 

[HUKIT]

I've seen hang on refugiums but don't have any experience or knowledge of them.

 

[FWFishTanks]

I've seen hang on refugiums but don't have any experience or knowledge of them.

Oh, ok I wasn't sure if you knew anything about me, because I want this tank to be low maintainence.

 

[HUKIT]

Oh, ok I wasn't sure if you knew anything about me, because I want this tank to be low maintainence.

I would skip it and just keep the nitrates below 20ppm through water changes without purchasing any additional equipment.

 

[Quest84]

agree with everything Hukit just said, and saulosi was the fish I was going to recommend. The females will stay a beautiful yellow color and the males will turn blue with black barring. I also use pool filter sand in all of my tanks for substrate

Hukit nice pics of your tank in the other thread btw, the colors really pop.

 

[FWFishTanks]

Thanks everyone for the help. Hope I can set this up soon!