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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Hi there! I'm new here and need help!!
I'm sure you'll have heard from most newbies that they need help, right? LOL!! Well, I am new here and need help. I have had a 30 gallon with guppies, platys, etc. for many years. Yesterday I got a 55 gallon aquarium and want to stock it differently. I want lots of color mainly. I posted somewhere else on this forum that I want cichlids. This is what my friend had in this aquarium before, but she knew nothing about them. I read somewhere on here about the Lake Malawi, and also a word I never heard before, mbuna. I would like to purchase my fish from someone who raises them, not from a petstore, but there are none near me. Have you'll purchased online much, having them shipped to you? Also, any hints would be appreciated in my new venture! Thanks!! | 
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Hello..maybe if one of the mods can move this to the cichlid forum, angela will see it...she doesnt take pm's unless you are on her friends list but I know she breeds and sells them ..goodluck! | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| I just saw this post.
For stocking options the www.cichlid-forum.com is great. Just search for "55g cookie cutter" it will help you with stocking options. Plus you can look at the profiles of fish to pick from.
With malawi's you will need high pH (7.8+) hard water. With a sand or crushed coral substrate, and plenty of cover being pots or rocks for caves. | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Thanks, Angela. I was hoping you would respond. My area has VERY soft water, so Malawis would probably have a hard time making it here, right? I know there are additives and such. Since I am leaning toward African cichlids and love the mbuna, what would you suggest? Also, do you sell cichlids, ship them? I am so new, I just need guidance until I get started. All the info I read is so overwhelming, it has my head spinning!! | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| as far as the water, crushed coral help ALOT with raising the ph naturally..they also make an eco complete for africans thats crushed shell based...
heres a thread she just posted about her for sale babies http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/bu...hild-list.html | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Shawnie, so on the bottom of the tank, exactly what should I have? You cannot put aquarium rocks? Remember, please bear with me. I am new, and have only had tropicals before, with rocks on bottom. | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| thats ok Im new to africans also..and yes you can have gravel but what from ive learned the last few weeks, the crushed coral helps keep the ph stable....so you use it with your gravel or in place of it ..... | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| The crushed coral is wonderful substrate for them, they love to dig dig dig (i need to post pics of my "craters" in my tanks right now.
Limestone is great for building caves. Where you live there should be plenty out in the rivers, etc. I used limestone from local lakes, etc for mine. Just clean it and boil it. | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| So, lots of rocks, right? This is SO different from having guppies! LOL!! We have a friend who owns a nursery, does landscaping, pools, plants, etc. He has tons of all sized rocks. Can I use any of these and just boil them? | |
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March 8th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Yes, as long as the rocks don' thave "mettalic" flicks on them. Liimestone, sandstone are great rocks. | |
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