Im currently in the process of getting my tank set up complete and looking towards the future for when i want to stock. After looking at the cookie cutter tanks in the library i think i've choosen my 2 of the 3 species i want. I would like for you all's opinion on ratio of each and how many total. the 2 types im looking at so far are Pseudotropheus saulosi, Labidochromis caeruleus, and I'm not sure if i want Metriaclima estherae or Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" for the third. With the first two choices, which 3rd fish would work best with the other two?
55g stocking question/help
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Ps. sp. "acei" would be a better choice as there is a chance of hybridization between the M. estherae and the L. caeruleus, not to mention that the M. estherae can be rather nasty.
Five of each would be fine and only a single male Ps. saulosi is recommended.
An all-male tank is a bit more difficult task and a long-term process that I wouldn't recommend for a first time set up or if this is your only tank. I think you'll be more than happy with the mix you have in mind. If you don't plan on keeping and selling fry, then just leave them to fend for themselves and you may only end up with the odd survivor once in a while that you can always trade into a LFS for a few store credits to buys some supplies. Or add a few catfish like Synodontis multipunctatus, who often snack on small fry during the night. They should keep your fry numbers down.
Five of each would be fine and only a single male Ps. saulosi is recommended.
An all-male tank is a bit more difficult task and a long-term process that I wouldn't recommend for a first time set up or if this is your only tank. I think you'll be more than happy with the mix you have in mind. If you don't plan on keeping and selling fry, then just leave them to fend for themselves and you may only end up with the odd survivor once in a while that you can always trade into a LFS for a few store credits to buys some supplies. Or add a few catfish like Synodontis multipunctatus, who often snack on small fry during the night. They should keep your fry numbers down.
ok, so it would be best to do 1 male and 4 female of each type or just for Ps. saulosi?
Im also in the process of trying to aquire some driftwood and rocks for my aquascape. When i get it all set up i'll be posting pics for you all to enjoy :thumb:
Im also in the process of trying to aquire some driftwood and rocks for my aquascape. When i get it all set up i'll be posting pics for you all to enjoy :thumb:
well looks like i'll have a little while longer to iron out all my details. I just had a support that was spanned across the top middle of my tank pop. when it popped there was a 2 inch gap between where it broke so im in the process of draining my water as i speak 
Its just a plastic peice that broke, i guess i could try to repair it, but what could i use to repair it and not have it break again? or would it be safer to just get a new tank?
Its just a plastic peice that broke, i guess i could try to repair it, but what could i use to repair it and not have it break again? or would it be safer to just get a new tank?
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Center braces do break but you can buy a replacement top brace. Just go to your LFS and ask them to order one. They just slip over the glass and only need a bit of silicone to hold it down.
A repair is also possible but I don't think the replacement costs very much so it's likely worth replacing.
A repair is also possible but I don't think the replacement costs very much so it's likely worth replacing.
Good luck with the support bracket - I hate it when they break. I keep thinking I'll come out and find water all over the floor until I finally get it emptied out...
I'd go with the acei as well - I have all juvies in my tank, and have no idea how many males and females there are - My thought if I somehow got too many males and they are too aggressive, I'll pull some males out of the mix as they get older. It was suggested here on this forum to me to get acei as a third species, I thought they weren't the prettiest fish... but got them anyway, just because... and now they are my favorites in the tank - they actually are very cool looking - neat colors - they come right up to the tank when I come by - I can run my finger along the glass and they all follow it - they are very cool.
Kerby
I'd go with the acei as well - I have all juvies in my tank, and have no idea how many males and females there are - My thought if I somehow got too many males and they are too aggressive, I'll pull some males out of the mix as they get older. It was suggested here on this forum to me to get acei as a third species, I thought they weren't the prettiest fish... but got them anyway, just because... and now they are my favorites in the tank - they actually are very cool looking - neat colors - they come right up to the tank when I come by - I can run my finger along the glass and they all follow it - they are very cool.
Kerby
after giving the top support a better look, how would i go about removing the old one. Looks like who ever put it on did a good job because i see tons of silicone holding it in place. the only idea i have at the moment is to try and pry it off with a screwdriver or something similar but i do not want to destroy the structure of the tank in the process.
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Running a razor blade or utility knife (careful!) under the rim between the plastic and glass usually cuts enough of the silicone to eventually lift the whole thing off in one piece. It takes a bit of prying with a putty knife to pop it off.
A top bracket for a standard 55 gallon should be easy enough to get.
A top bracket for a standard 55 gallon should be easy enough to get.
Well my LFS told me it was not possible to order a new top brace because the way he put it, "there are no standard sizes to order from." Until i can find a shop that can find me a brace i used this to hold the brace that cracked. I think that epoxy was way overboard, but its the only kind i can find at work
Once this stuff is dry its solid, do any of you think this is a good fix or just temporary?
Once this stuff is dry its solid, do any of you think this is a good fix or just temporary?
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/view ... t=#1112419
this link to an older thread may be helpful... I have the same issue with one of my 55 gallon tanks, I was going to get a strip of glass cut the same width of the tank and silicone it directly below the existing (but broken) center brace... I'm sure epoxy will just be stronger.
this link to an older thread may be helpful... I have the same issue with one of my 55 gallon tanks, I was going to get a strip of glass cut the same width of the tank and silicone it directly below the existing (but broken) center brace... I'm sure epoxy will just be stronger.
well the industrial strength epoxy seems to be hardening well, plus I stuck a piece of show molding i happen to have hanging around on the underneath and epoxied that to the brace as well. If all this McGyver stuff doesn't work i'll rip out the brace and give the glass strip method out. the way i see it, i'll try any idea before having to go drop some cash on a new tank
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