Tank Needing a Revamp

ritzgirl34 · 10-14-2005, 02:39 PM

I have a 55 dwarf mbuna tank. Due to our house's AC breaking during the night, half of my fish got cooked from the heat

There are now only a few left so I want to take this time to re-do the tank before I buy replacements.

I currently have silicia sand substrate with a thin layer of crushed coral on top to help with the pH. I have 5 texas holey rocks as well. Due to our city's water, it turns the holey rocks a disgusting brown (diatoms) and because of the pores in the rock, it's hard to get off. I am looking for substrate suggestions as well as a good rock to use that's a bit easier to clean. I'd love to buy an RO unit and be done with it, but that's not exactly in my price range.

I also heard that if the substrate is a bright color, the fish won't show their colors like they would with dark substrate, is this true?

DUSTIN323 · 10-14-2005, 03:08 PM

I believe it is true about the color of gravel a good substrate might be Eco-Complete Cichlid Substrate availiable in sand or gravel here's a link for that http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113555 asfar as rocks I don't really know I've heard that red lava rock raises ph like limestone(holey rock) but not sure

goodie · 10-14-2005, 05:47 PM

A dark background and substrate will make them feel a bit more comfortable, but then again any color against a black backdrop will appear more vibrant (ex..Velvet Elvis painting). As far as the lava rock I'm not for sure either, but I don't think it will raise ph. It WILL scratch your fish up from it being so rough. You could get an algae eater to keep your holey rock clean. I've kept CAE with my mbuna with no problems.

DUSTIN323 · 10-15-2005, 10:13 AM

Since you bring up about the algae eater. Can plecos go in water with such a high ph like Malawai or Tanganyika? I've always wondered

goodie · 10-15-2005, 10:42 AM

Yes. Besure that which ever pleco you get isn't going to get too large for your tank. The big ones really create alot of waste. Be sure to slowly acclimate it to your water. It shouldn't have any problem, they can take a wide range of conditions(as long as they are stable conditions). I keep a bristlenose pleco in my 75gal Hap/Peac0ck tank (ph 8).

10-14-2005, 02:39 PM	#1
ritzgirl34 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Merritt Island, FL Posts: 81	Tank Needing a Revamp I have a 55 dwarf mbuna tank. Due to our house's AC breaking during the night, half of my fish got cooked from the heat There are now only a few left so I want to take this time to re-do the tank before I buy replacements. I currently have silicia sand substrate with a thin layer of crushed coral on top to help with the pH. I have 5 texas holey rocks as well. Due to our city's water, it turns the holey rocks a disgusting brown (diatoms) and because of the pores in the rock, it's hard to get off. I am looking for substrate suggestions as well as a good rock to use that's a bit easier to clean. I'd love to buy an RO unit and be done with it, but that's not exactly in my price range. I also heard that if the substrate is a bright color, the fish won't show their colors like they would with dark substrate, is this true?

10-14-2005, 03:08 PM	#2
DUSTIN323 ~/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\~ Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 20 Posts: 522	I believe it is true about the color of gravel a good substrate might be Eco-Complete Cichlid Substrate availiable in sand or gravel here's a link for that http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...&N=2004+113555 asfar as rocks I don't really know I've heard that red lava rock raises ph like limestone(holey rock) but not sure __________________ Gen1Performance.com Gen 1 Performance Forum

10-15-2005, 10:13 AM	#4
DUSTIN323 ~/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\~ Join Date: Sep 2005 Age: 20 Posts: 522	Since you bring up about the algae eater. Can plecos go in water with such a high ph like Malawai or Tanganyika? I've always wondered __________________ Gen1Performance.com Gen 1 Performance Forum

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Important Basics For Sw Newbies.	hail_sniper	Beginner Saltwater	18	03-21-2008 07:57 AM
Funny, informative, or just plain sad?	TheOldSalt	FYI (For Your Info)	17	07-29-2007 04:33 PM
Article: Setting Up a Saltwater Tank	Fishfirst	Profile & Article Discussions	10	08-15-2006 04:49 AM
Article: Which fish/invert/coral to choose?	Fishfirst	Profile & Article Discussions	2	08-15-2006 04:37 AM
Which fish/invert/coral to choose?	Fishfirst	Beginner Saltwater	0	09-26-2005 02:35 PM

Members currently in the Chat:1
	Users In Chat Room: flamey Come Join Me!

10-14-2005, 05:47 PM	#3
goodie Babysitter for hire Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: S.E. MO Age: 34 Posts: 475	A dark background and substrate will make them feel a bit more comfortable, but then again any color against a black backdrop will appear more vibrant (ex..Velvet Elvis painting). As far as the lava rock I'm not for sure either, but I don't think it will raise ph. It WILL scratch your fish up from it being so rough. You could get an algae eater to keep your holey rock clean. I've kept CAE with my mbuna with no problems.

10-15-2005, 10:42 AM	#5
goodie Babysitter for hire Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: S.E. MO Age: 34 Posts: 475	Yes. Besure that which ever pleco you get isn't going to get too large for your tank. The big ones really create alot of waste. Be sure to slowly acclimate it to your water. It shouldn't have any problem, they can take a wide range of conditions(as long as they are stable conditions). I keep a bristlenose pleco in my 75gal Hap/Peac0ck tank (ph 8).

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)