[JohnnyG]

Any suggestions on how to improve this setup folks? It's my first go at a tank, let alone Mbuna so please be gentle :lol: Sorry about the blurry pics taken on my phone.

https://flic.kr/p/5732579359 https://flic.kr/p/5732579841 https://flic.kr/p/5733125082
You can only see one yellow lab but there are 6 yellow labs, 4 cobalts, 4 rusties and a pleco.

I just bought an Eheim 2228 yesterday to crank up the filtration. You can see the spray bar at the top left of the tank. It's just sitting diagonally across the tank until I can rig up something better as the tank doesn't fit the intake/outlet tubes too easily. I might remove the internal filter in the future to get a bit more tank space.

I've bought some texas holey rock and I think I'm going to replace the lava rock with it as I've noticed a few scuffs/scratches on the fish. Shame, cos I like the look of the lava rock

Yes - I know the plants will have a short lifespan :?

 

[prov356]

Nice setup. I prefer the lava too. Are you sure it's the reason for the injuries? I never cared for THR, why not try something natural looking from a landscape supply yard. You can get stuff pretty cheap.

 

[monisaab]

I have been using lava rocks for around 5 months and i have not seen any injuries due to them... I have my doubts if they are the reason for the injuries, are you sure it is not aggression-related???

 

[drexel187]

I think a black background would really make your fish and plant colors pop! Looks good !!

Cheers

 

[JohnnyG]

Well maybe I'll give the lava rock a bit longer then before switching it out for THR.

Drexel - Funny you should say that. I thought I black background would look great too but my girlfriend decided that black on black (substrate) would look too... black. Ah well, it's not easy to change it now so it will be there for a while methinks

 

[Anthraxx8500]

first off nice setup. problem i see is that your plants need to be buried. idk if you filled that rock with substrate for em or wat. also swords are BIG time fert hogs. so your gonna need to add something to get em to grow well. id ditch em all together and go for some java moss java fern anubias and "crypts". just my two cents. gl to ya.