queenbobby

ive finally done it set up my malwai tank!!
to quickly summarise ...
20Ibs OF crushed coral gravel
20 kg ocean rock
have a new external filter by jbl that no one has heard of!

and i waited a week ( i had added old filter media) and then added 100ml of tetra safe start and added 9 small malawis at the same time as directed, i waitd a further 10 days checked my water parameters
pH 8.2 (after usinf API proper ph 8.2)( as it was 6.5 even after all the coal gravel!!!)
nitrite 0
ammonia 0

i had only been feding small amounts of food

oh yer that was another mess up... the fosh store told me to buy hikari cichlid pellets excel and the red packet for colour...
after coming home and doing some more research..is too highj in protein!!
i have ordered some new life spectrum
where was i....
then added another 9 fish and my 3 clown loaches.... all seem to be doing fine..but i havent done any water chnage as i dont wanna get rid of the bacteria...

so to get to the point sorry...
1) when should i do my next water change

2) how much nls shall i feed about 5 pellets twice daily missing 1 day per week?

3) how long will it take my 19 malawis that are all about 3-4cm at present to get to about 6-7cm?

4)how many more can i add? (260litre)

5) is it ok to add a giraffe catfish? i really dont like cuckoo cats? have 4 pictus in my back tank but ive heard bad thngs about mixing them as they eat fry etc...

sorry to bore you all... hopefully there should be a pic attached..


sorry for going on but this project has taken about 3 months so far!!!
i appreciate negative critism but please be gentle....

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Shawnie

tank looks great!! I like the color theme and your fish should brighten it right up~

I can help on some things....first off, dont use any ph buffers and just add more crushed coral or limestone rocks if you are having an issue...the buffers change things way to fast and dont keep them stable.....

dont do any water changes until the 10th day of using TSS...test your water after the tenth day and go from there...if all the readings are on, give it more time then do a partial 20% after 2-3 weeks (again providing the water parimeters are on) what test kit are you using as I dont see a nitrate reading?

my african tank eats 3 times a day and it seems to help with agression..as well as its overstocked... ....I feed veggie flakes, spirulina, (from kens premium fish foods) and 2 times a week they have frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp...your new life is great also....

im not sure anyone can tell you how fast they grow..it depends on tank size/diet/tank maintenance....they do grow fast with proper care tho..mine have gotten 1-2 inches bigger, in a couple months..

pictus will be fine with your africans....just acclimate them slowly ....all the africans will eat fry also ...if you dont get them before they spit, all the fish in your tank will have a feast not just the pictus ....

Angela_96

That tank is just all wrong, you need to box it up and ship it to me so I can keep it and fix it....

No really awesome job!
I would be careful with the clown loaches and malawis mixed.
I think you are off to a great start!

so to get to the point sorry...
1) when should i do my next water change
Just watch your parameters, I think next week.

2) how much nls shall i feed about 5 pellets twice daily missing 1 day per week? I would change to a spirulla flake or low protein flake food

3) how long will it take my 19 malawis that are all about 3-4cm at present to get to about 6-7cm?they grow pretty fast, like in about 6 months

4)how many more can i add? (260litre) 19 would be the max

5) is it ok to add a giraffe catfish? i really dont like cuckoo cats? have 4 pictus in my back tank but ive heard bad thngs about mixing them as they eat fry etc...
I wouldn't ad any
sorry to bore you all... hopefully there should be a pic attached..

aquarist48

Beautiful tank QueenBobby.
Ken

mare2009

I really love it! Now that is a tank I would really enjoy watching
< and I just love the malawi's ..ahhhh someday ...>

queenbobby

thanks alot got some pics of the fish but there too fast!!!

queenbobby

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Shawnie

great job! that looks awesome with the fish colored against the rocks....my africans are easier to take a video of..trying to get pics is too much work LOL

bolivianbaby

Your tank looks wonderful! Good looking fish, too! I think the other members have you covered on your questions.