Labs

FishCrazy1234 · 04-29-2006, 07:42 PM

Does anyone have pics of the tank that they have their labs in. I was thinking of getting some for my tank but I don't know wat kind of tank they like. Also do u think they would be compatible with Discus
Thanks

Georgia Peach · 04-30-2006, 05:33 AM

they like lots of rock work.. here is a link to alot of malawi tank setups..

Malawi Tanks

rbishop1 · 04-30-2006, 09:48 AM

Not sure, but the african's like a harder, higher pH and the discus prefer softer, lower pH. Though I have seen both kept in tanks at the opposite end of their more natural pH, the hardness can affect coloring and activity. Especially with the discus.

FishCrazy1234 · 04-30-2006, 10:28 AM

Since the labs like their ph around 7.8 and the Discus like it around 7.5 do u think I could keep them at 7.6-7.7.

rbishop1 · 04-30-2006, 11:17 AM

I am sure that will work. It is generally more stressful if you are adding chemicals (and expensive) to get some ideal pH. The fish will acclimate. The most important thing is consistency. It also makes the water changes easier. Discus are VERY finicky on water quality!! Be prepared for Frequent water changes, especially on juvies. Keep the tanks clean! Remove uneaten food.

Personally, I would not use a lab as tank mates. Maybe apistos or rams, some rosys' and/or cardinals.

goodie · 04-30-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Also do u think they would be compatible with Discus

No. Labs are timid Mbuna, but they are still Mbuna. Besides different water parameters PH, hardness, temp and aquascape. Do one or the other, not both in one tank.

joe kool · 04-30-2006, 01:54 PM

I'm surprised no one jumped on this earlier but discus "like" more acidic water ... closer to 6.5. They can tolerate it up around 7 - 7.5 especially with a lot of the tank raised variety available now days but most discus prefer 6.5. Which is way off base from the 7.8 - 8 the yellow lab "likes". Each jump in ph ( i.e. … 6 to 7 … 7 to 8 ) is 10 time more acidic or base, so from 6.5 to 8, 8 is approx 500 times more alkaline than 6.5. Thats why most things you read tell you not to change your PH more than a couple points at a time ... (like .2) so go from 7 to 7.2 to 7.4 over a couple days.

emc7 · 04-30-2006, 03:53 PM

Definitely not compatible with discus. Beside the oppisite water preferences, the labs are too quick and aggressive to be kept with discus, the discus would go hungry, get sick and die. Keep discus with mild tetras, apisotogramma, and rams.

FishCrazy1234 · 04-30-2006, 05:30 PM

Ok, thanks for all the info I won't get the Discus anymore but, does anyone know wat would be compatible with Labs.

FishCrazy1234 · 04-30-2006, 05:30 PM

Ok, thanks for all the info I won't get the Discus anymore but, does anyone know wat would be compatible with Labs.

AshleytheGreat · 04-30-2006, 06:14 PM

Other mbuna.

FishCrazy1234 · 04-30-2006, 06:27 PM

Could I do Labs, Red Zebras, and Cobalt Blue Zebras.

**Scuba Kid** · 04-30-2006, 06:46 PM

im pretty sure that would be compatible...how many of each are you planning on?

FishCrazy1234 · 04-30-2006, 07:28 PM

I was planning on putting in a trio of each.

**Osiris** · 04-30-2006, 07:54 PM

No offense, but WHY RED ZEBRAS?

I'd go labs and pea****s

they live in harmony with one another

FishCrazy1234 · 05-01-2006, 04:39 AM

I didn't even think of pea****s. I think I will go with labs and pea****s.

04-29-2006, 07:42 PM	#1
FishCrazy1234 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 67	Labs Does anyone have pics of the tank that they have their labs in. I was thinking of getting some for my tank but I don't know wat kind of tank they like. Also do u think they would be compatible with Discus Thanks Last edited by FishCrazy1234; 04-29-2006 at 08:38 PM.

04-30-2006, 05:33 AM	#2
Georgia Peach Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Gray, Georgia Age: 42 Posts: 1,581	they like lots of rock work.. here is a link to alot of malawi tank setups.. Malawi Tanks __________________ *Cichlids have more personality than most people I know !*

04-30-2006, 09:48 AM	#3
rbishop1 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West End, NC Age: 54 Posts: 34	Not sure, but the african's like a harder, higher pH and the discus prefer softer, lower pH. Though I have seen both kept in tanks at the opposite end of their more natural pH, the hardness can affect coloring and activity. Especially with the discus. __________________ Bob Bishop West End, NC

04-30-2006, 11:17 AM	#5
rbishop1 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West End, NC Age: 54 Posts: 34	I am sure that will work. It is generally more stressful if you are adding chemicals (and expensive) to get some ideal pH. The fish will acclimate. The most important thing is consistency. It also makes the water changes easier. Discus are VERY finicky on water quality!! Be prepared for Frequent water changes, especially on juvies. Keep the tanks clean! Remove uneaten food. Personally, I would not use a lab as tank mates. Maybe apistos or rams, some rosys' and/or cardinals. __________________ Bob Bishop West End, NC

04-30-2006, 01:54 PM	#7
joe kool Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Age: 36 Posts: 572	I'm surprised no one jumped on this earlier but discus "like" more acidic water ... closer to 6.5. They can tolerate it up around 7 - 7.5 especially with a lot of the tank raised variety available now days but most discus prefer 6.5. Which is way off base from the 7.8 - 8 the yellow lab "likes". Each jump in ph ( i.e. … 6 to 7 … 7 to 8 ) is 10 time more acidic or base, so from 6.5 to 8, 8 is approx 500 times more alkaline than 6.5. Thats why most things you read tell you not to change your PH more than a couple points at a time ... (like .2) so go from 7 to 7.2 to 7.4 over a couple days. __________________ A conglomeration of cichlids from all over living happily in my "melting pot" of tanks. Breeding: currently nothing ... I'm sequestered in South Korea, "Osan" to be exact 2 days till I'm back in the states!!!! Florida to be exact, those Floridians have no idea what they're in for!! current Fry: see above tanks: 100, 55, 46 BF, 26 BF, 20L, 5 fry tank 20L planted with CRS is the only thing up (easy for the wife to care for in my stead)

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04-30-2006, 10:28 AM	#4
FishCrazy1234 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 67	Since the labs like their ph around 7.8 and the Discus like it around 7.5 do u think I could keep them at 7.6-7.7.

04-30-2006, 03:53 PM	#8
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 39 Posts: 2,854	Definitely not compatible with discus. Beside the oppisite water preferences, the labs are too quick and aggressive to be kept with discus, the discus would go hungry, get sick and die. Keep discus with mild tetras, apisotogramma, and rams.

04-30-2006, 05:30 PM	#9
FishCrazy1234 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 67	Ok, thanks for all the info I won't get the Discus anymore but, does anyone know wat would be compatible with Labs.

04-30-2006, 06:14 PM	#11
AshleytheGreat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mi Town Posts: 785	Other mbuna. __________________ So let the haters hate, let the doubters doubt, I stand by my book, and my life, and I won't dignify this malarkey with any sort of further response.

04-30-2006, 06:27 PM	#12
FishCrazy1234 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 67	Could I do Labs, Red Zebras, and Cobalt Blue Zebras.

04-30-2006, 06:46 PM	#13
Scuba Kid Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: RI Age: 17 Posts: 4,142	im pretty sure that would be compatible...how many of each are you planning on? __________________ Current setups: 1800 gallon koi pond, 10 gallon planted, 150 gallon reef, other FOWLR tanks

04-30-2006, 07:28 PM	#14
FishCrazy1234 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 67	I was planning on putting in a trio of each.

04-30-2006, 07:54 PM	#15
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,688	No offense, but WHY RED ZEBRAS? I'd go labs and pea**s they live in harmony with one another __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction**

05-01-2006, 04:39 AM	#16
FishCrazy1234 Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Age: 15 Posts: 67	I didn't even think of pea**s. I think I will go with labs and pea**s.

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