Needing Feedback

[phamq1979]

I just switched over to keeping African cichlids. Had this tank for about 8 months now. I love how the Africans are so much more active than SA ones. Right now I have 2 Peacocks and 14 Mbunas. Also My gf wanted to keep a Roseline in there too. So far its worked out pretty good though they are all still juvies. This is only a 65 gallon tank but I am planning to get a bigger tank, most likely a 90 or 120 gallon, depending on the amount of room we have after our renovation to our livingroom. I'd like to get some input on this tank like what needs to be done, what could be better, advice on my stock, etc. I know this pic isn't much but its the only one I have taken so far.

[ptran]

Looking very nice bro. Nice and clean tank. Are those real plants?

[phamq1979]

Thanks man. No these are fake plants that I bought from Fish Gallery. I did have real ones from my previous SA tank but these Africans ate them and dug them all up. lol. So i just decided to get the nice fake ones to add a little color.

[ptran]

Cool. They look nice.
If you get bigger tank, go with 6ft long. The fish will be much happier.

[phamq1979]

Yeah i do want the 6ft but Im not sure if I will have enough room yet. If it does fit it might be a tight squeeze. I've been following your threads and really like your fish. Is it possible to mix a variety of Africans together? I notice that Fish Gallery does that and their fish are all pretty big but their tanks are fully stocked.

[ptran]

Thanks for following my post.

Yes, you can mix African but you might want to stay in the same lake. They can survive together, but they might not be thriving as you want them to be if you mix lake.

[morpheus]

looking good so far. the roseline will probably need to be moved. i dont see him lasting long term.

i would agree with ptran so far. you can mix lakes, but sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt. i dont have experience with victorians, but i mixed malawi and tangs once without issue. right now i just keep malawi. also agree that live plants generally are a waste of money with mbunas. all my plants are artificial.

you will definitely need a larger tank with that stock. width will become more important. right now you are fine, but as they all grow into their adult size, territories will become scarce. and when the breed there will be competition.

as for setup....as long as you have multiple territories (rocks, pots, etc) and some current thats a good start. if you dont have a power head i would add one.

[ptran]

Phamq, what is filtration in that tank?

[phamq1979]

Right now I'm just running 2 HOB filters. A Fluval 50 and Fluval 70. But I'm planning to switch to canister once I upgrade to a larger tank. Do you guys have any suggestions? I'm pretty new to using canisters.

[ptran]

HOB are cool too: inexpensive and easy to clean. As far as canister filter, I love the Eheim classic series.

[morpheus]

i have only ever used cascade and eheim. i think the cascade was easier to prime initially, but eheim is known for their durability. i have had no complaints on mine since i got it. the vacuum seal on the top is very tight and i never hear it after the air bubbles work their way out. the instructions to set it up are lacking when you open the box. mine came with all the filter media too

[ptran]

Best way to learn how to set it up is watching Youtube.

[troy tucker]

Right now I'm just running 2 HOB filters. A Fluval 50 and Fluval 70. But I'm planning to switch to canister once I upgrade to a larger tank. Do you guys have any suggestions? I'm pretty new to using canisters.

I use both Eheim and Fluval canister filters I like them both. My bigger tanks run wet/dry filter.
.

[morpheus]

Best way to learn how to set it up is watching Youtube.

yeah i ended up watching a youtube video and after that was pretty easy to set everything up the eheim