[SpeedFreak]

I have a 75G tank.

Currently in the tank are:

18 Pseudotropheus demasoni
6 Labidochromis caeruleus

5 Labeotropheus fuelleborni - 1 Blue w/red dorsal Male and 4 OB females(arriving on wed.)
6 Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" - (Yellow fin Acei getting picked up this sun)

That will give me 35 fish. Right now the largest thing in the tank are some of the Demasoni who at most are only a little over 2''. The Acei and Fuelleborni will arrive at around 2'' as well. Once they all grow I just want to make sure there is going to be enough room. Do these numbers seem ok to everyone? Right now theres a large Pleco and Catfish in there who are both coming out and getting replaced by a 2.5'' Pleco.

I do about 25% water changes everyweek and use a Eheim 2217 canister filter to filter the tank with a power jet added to help move the water around. I have several rock formation with tons of caves, tunnels, cliffs, and over hangs along with a DIY background with the priviously mentioned. It seems like they'll have more then enough nooks and crannies.

With everyone besides the Demasoni (because their in such a large group) I plan to have 1M and the other 5 or 4F. Obviously with their small size I can't do this yet but I plan to work with friends who are breeding to end up with that to keep aggression down and colors up!!!

Please throw in all of your wisdom!!! :thumb:

 

[Dewdrop]

Gee I dunno, I've never had dems or fuelleborni. Sorry I can't help.

 

[why_spyder]

As far as compatibility between the species - there shouldn't be a problem. I think your numbers are good, too - good male to female ratios.

 

[SpeedFreak]

As far as compatibility between the species - there shouldn't be a problem. I think your numbers are good, too - good male to female ratios.

ok good. the numbers are my biggest concearn. i believe the species will do well togeather and compliment themselves well and there should be enough females for the males. just 35 fish seem like a ton in the tank. i just have to get use to the crowding look i guess

 

[why_spyder]

It sounds like a lot (and is), but if as long as the water stays within the right parameters - I don't foresee any problems.

It might look a bit crowded - but there will always be something going on.

 

[SpeedFreak]

It sounds like a lot (and is), but if as long as the water stays within the right parameters - I don't foresee any problems.

It might look a bit crowded - but there will always be something going on.

oh yeah i love them all inthere and cant wait to add the other 2 species. my water seems to be fine. as far as the nitrate what would you recommend. i do 25% water changes. how low should i keep it or how do i know its to high? i have plants in there too that should lower it

 

[SpeedFreak]

anybody else have any ideas or have a similar set up????

 

[dielikemoviestars]

I'd up it to 50% weekly to be safe.

 

[DNK]

I'm about to set up a slightly larger tank than yours as an upgrade with same mbuna stock and numbers except substitiute cobalts for your fuelleborni.
The amount of fish for your tank seems fine if it's a standard 75gal tank footprint.
Also, your filter isn't particularly big for that size tank compared to most peoples' but if it's doing the job.... Just keep an eye on it as you add more fish and as they grow.

Should look good!

 

[cichlidaholic]

I would increase the size of the water changes to at least 40% weekly, and consider adding another filter as the fish grow larger. :thumb:

 

[jhunbj]

Instead of a pleco...get a group of Synodontis Petricola. :thumb: I agree about the 40% WC and another filter(Eheim 2217).

 

[SpeedFreak]

hey thanks everyone for the advice. I'll start taking out more water. it seems like most people dont do huge water changes and i was kind of scared that it would be to much chlorine or something. i always add my marine salt, epsom salt, and baking soda but never any de-chlorinator or anything....lol i think some people were saying stresscoat works well and helps them and they add every water change. maybe i should just buy that in bulk from somewhere. let me know if any of you add it or what else you use and where you get it.

as far as the tank yes it is the standard 75g footprint. 48long by18 if i remember right. right now i have an Ehiem 2217. i dont have the $$$ right now to buy brand new but i'll keep my eyes open on craigslist. i guess i could always get another 2217. i think the paper work on it says its up to 125g but i guess thats for smaller tropical fish and they dont account for the crowding. is the bigest worry the nitrate? i added some plants and i plan to add some more to help with that and i'd imagine the water changes will keep that low. the kit i use says it tests for total nitrate which it explains is different and give a higher number then other kits. its at 20-10ppm normally. i guess after i add fish that will change plus when they grow. what would be a dangerous number for this kit?????

for the synodontis petricola i will probably wait for a batch from the next CCA meeting i go to. the only thing is i really want my fry and i hear they will steal all my eggs!!!! :x they are just catfish right? they dont eat any algea?

thanks again

 

[cichlidaholic]

You're going to need to have alot of plants with that bunch. That seems to be the key to keeping plants with mbuna. If you just have a few, they will most likely be destroyed, but if you have them all over the place, they tend to not do as much damage to single plants and the survival rate is better!

You're also going to want to have plants that are anchorable to the decor in your tank and don't need to be planted in the substrate. Those fuelleborni will be big diggers, and they won't leave anything planted that isn't well anchored, and will constantly expose roots of the plants that go in the substrate.

They (plants) aid in keeping the balance in your tank as far as the water goes, but they can't replace water changes.

I like to have at least twice the filtration needed for my tanks. For instance, on all my 55G, they have two AC's - each recommended for 75G tanks. It keeps the oxygen within the water to a comfortable level for the fish, but I still do my water changes (40%) weekly.

 

[DJRansome]

Why don't you add dechlorinator? Do you have a well? I think a lot of people use Prime.

 

[SpeedFreak]

cichlidaholic----I figured I would need to have a lot of them. Giving them spinach almost everyday. at least every other day seems to greatly help. I just rubber band it to a rock that has fishing line on it and lower it into the tank. works really well and makes it really easy. they love it and they stay away from my plants. I think the Acei and Fuelleborni will be bigger diggers/plant eaters so we'll see what happens. most of the plants now are all the way at the bottom of the sand bed and then have rocks over them. i figure that will be trial and error.

i might start rubberbanding them to rocks and burring the rocks under the substrate. i figure rubber bands are the best thing to use. I'll make sure i keep up on my water changes. so far so good.

is there a way to test the oxygen level?

I also have several air stones but aren't using any... should i use them

djransome- theres really no reason why. i was just told some people say you should and others think you don't need to. I'm just looking into it. the tanks only been up and running about a month or two.

 

[mojeb21]

do u have a picture?

 

[SpeedFreak]

do u have a picture?

several but i'm having trouble getting them off the digital camera and onto here. do you all use photo bucket or what? it doesnt help that this computer is full of spyware. my brother is suppose to be fixing it when he gets back from the ocean

 

[why_spyder]

I think most people use either photobucket or imageshack.

 

[SpeedFreak]

I think most people use either photobucket or imageshack.

this coming week i'll be adding the acei and hopefully my fuelleborni as well. when that happens my tank should be done really and hopefully i'll just be taking out fry and thats it!!!! anyway when thats all said and done and everythings settles i'm going to figure out how to get the my tanks thing set up. probably have to use the g.fs computer

 

[cichlidaholic]

I agree with DJRansome on the dechlorinator.

You never know when your water company may add other chemicals to the water, and it's really important to be ready if they do. Prime is my choice, also.