ericlacross

Ok, so I have been reading different websites and forums for a couple weeks now and visiting my LFS in my area, and everytime I think I am ready to get my tank going, I get completely contradicting information. So I have a few questions I hope someone with knowledge of these wonderful fish can help me out?

1st off I have a 45 gallon (long) tank. I would like to get some Electric Yellow Labs (Labidochromis caeruleus). I would also like to put in some Zebra Loaches (Botia striata) if possible, I have a couple in another tank but they seem crowded so if possible I would like to get them in the bigger tank so they are more comfortable.

Ok so for the rest of my questions, please bear with me.

1)I would like to have a planted tank, I have heard that the Yellow Labs wouldn't bother them and then I have heard that they will destroy any plants and that I should go with fake, which I am not a fan of.

2)Filtration? Should I go with a couple higher powered "Power Filters" or a simple "Sponge Filter"?

3)Substrate? Like I mentioned I would like a planted tank, so I have already purchased some "Flourite" and was planning on that being my only substrate. Will this work?

4)And lastly, how many Yellow Labs would be good in this tank?

Well thanks in advance for any info you can give me, I just want a beautiful tank, but with Healthy and Happy fish!

Shawnie

welcome to fishlore!!!!!!!

1. IMO they will destroy them...mine did and eat lettuce and cukes as part of their diet so im sure other plants will be snacks also...I have fakes and they look awesome...I got them at the dollar store and walmart...ill share pics if you like....they are silk not plastic

2. id go with the more powered ones....especially where you need to overstock africans to keep them all busy .....although a strong sponge filter will be ok but its not needed

3. you need something with coral in it to sustain a higher pH....crushed coral based eco complete is faboo ..or find a bunch of crushed coral to put in your filter area....again I dont think planted will work but I guess you could try it...it will be a huge mess changing the subtrate after tho if it doesnt.....

4. id go with 10 and have 1/m to 3f ratios...are you only getting labs?

ive never had loaches...(they creep me out LOL) but im not sure if they can handle the aggression and higher ph or not...although labs arent as agressive as other cichlids, they till dont put up with anyones bullying....

goodluck and make sure you share pics!!!

btate617

I agree with Shawnie. Africans and plants normally don't mix well.

Go with a power filter, the best your budget will allow. I use only sponge filters, but for someone just starting out I wouldn't recommend it. They are basically just a BB area, they do some mechanical filtering but it is minimal. If you slack on water changes your tank will suffer.

With the yellow 10 should be good to start with, remember lots of rock work and caves.

Good luck and welcome to the forum.

Brian

ericlacross

Thanks for the input! Shawnie I would love to see some pics! If I go withed crushed coral do you clean it with a gravel vaccuum like normal?

And as for filter I was thinking running 2 of the AquaClear70's (based on LFS recommendation) is that overkill? Or is there even such a thing when it comes to filters?

Thanks again guys! I have been staring at this empty tank for like 2 weeks trying to make sure I do as much research as I can, and I am really getting the itch to get this thing going!

Shawnie

75 gal with drop.JPG

75g africans.JPG
all the plants are fake...you just have to make sure there are NO metal parts in the stem area and that they have no perfumes or dyes in them...I have crushed coral under a subtrate of like a river rock type gravel...and yes I clean it with a gravel vac ....

I think the 2 filters, one at each end, will be fine...or you can go with one good size canister filter...I use the cascade penn plax 1500 on my african tank but mines a 75 gal ...im just a fan(because I know how to use them) of penn plax cascades lol ...im sure others will have suggestions on filters as well

ericlacross

Thank tank looks really cool! I am getting eager to get this thing going! (don't worry I know this takes patience) I have found watching my sons 15 gallon is more fun to sit and watch then my 65" HDTV!

I didn't think I could get 10 in there, so is there any other Cichlids that would go well with the Labs? (and Loaches if anyone knows this answer) I would like something colorful, and have a fun personality! Maybe I can do different combonations or something? I see you have alot of different kinds in your tank!

Thanks again, I hope this is not too many ?'s!!!!

Shawnie

dont worry about questions...thats how we all get started..african cichilds are species only..which means they cannot be mixed with other cichlids other thank other africans ...there are exceptions to every rule, but when you start out, id not mix them if it were me......heres a cool link to look at for different africans http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-q....y=10&image=Go they have different mixes for different size tanks....I so know about the excitement part, no matter how long we have tanks, its always a rush to set up a new one!

I was looking at the loach sites and I dont think they would be a good mix with africans....but again, ive never kept them so its just from reading...butterfly aka carol, keeps loaches and might be able to help more....

Tony G.

Shawnie and brian have you covered, i just wanted to say...
WELCOME TO FISHLORE!!!

btate617

Here's a few that I can come up with for now, although I haven't been into Africans for quite a few years now I may be off a bit. Angela would be a great person to ask.

With the Iodotropheus sprengerae (Rusty) be careful I had a buddy who said they breed with anything, they may be better suited for a species only tank. When I had them they were fine with others.

Iodotropheus sprengerae
Pseudotropheus lombardoi
Cynotilapia afra
I ppicked these 3 mostly for the color contrast you would get and also size.

Brian