New guys starting Mbuna malawi's!

Hey guys! Okay I am new to this Forum & Started a Mbuna tank...this is my setup,please tell me what you think...The photos may not be that good,but here goes...Std 4ft tank,Resun EF 800 filter,Resun Ac 2000 airpump & 2000w heater,all the rocks are pelinbada & i have a piece of driftwood(far right) I have some snow whites,cobalt blue,zebra yello,2 eye biters( about 14 fish of which about maybe 4 is female) I also have 2 bristlenose plecos (male & female)

 

Hi and Welcome!

Oh wow, nice looking rocks you got there. Where did you get those rocks?

Just some advice, if you get a chance to change your substrate, change it to Pool Filter Sand (PFS). Mbunas love digging and moving the sand around. Also add more rocks, the more the better. And be careful of the driftwood, it might soften the water and drop the PH. Mbunas like hardwater.

 

I have an EF 800 RESUN Canister filter...seems to be doing the job quite nice?

 

Thank you...It is pelinbada rock out of dad's garden,25 odd years old that he got...I have heard PFS messes up the impeller of the can filter? I only have that one piece of DRIFTWOOD in for the BN plecos...

 

Nope, as long as your outlet / uptake pipe is not too close to the substrate then it will be fine.

Oic, the BN pleco does like to munch on driftwood, but also you must feed them some veg. I.e. cucumber, zucchini, spinach, etc. But since you have BN plecos, then I think you need to keep your pH around 7.. reason I'm saying that is the Mbuna like hard water 7.5+ but can handle a lower pH, but your BN plecos like soft water 7.0 and less.

Wow, would love to get me some of that rock for my planted tanks! hehe.

 

Do you suggest I take out that piece of driftwood?

 

I have some Baby marrow yes,also got those bottom feeding pellets...

 

Nope, that will make your BN plecos happy. and bring down your pH. But you have a big tank, so that small piece wouldn't do much anyways to the water chemistry.

Mbuna's are hardy little guys, and really can handle a wide range of pH. But they might breed if the water conditions are not right though.

 

Thanx for the advice. ..That rock won't do anything to the PH level? I know our tap water is about between 7-8...So I just do 25% changes every 2nd week,add about teaspoon off salt & also that new PRIME(red bottle) to take out the chloor & stuff...Should I be doing some extra stuff?

 

I think rather not play around with the pH for now. Just keep it constant and it will be fine for both BN pleco and Mbunas.

Did you do the vinegar test on the rocks? if they fizz when you put vinegar on it, then it will alter the chemistry of the water. Normally makes it harder, which is good for the cichlids, but not so good for the BN pleco.

 

No I didn't. ..Just scrubbed them clean with water & soap...

 

SOAP? :weird:

 

Yup...good old sunlight & a brush,had to get the mud & stuff of that was sticking for some 25 odd years lol...tank been running for almost 2weeks...

 

Won't it make the water more harder for my BN plecos?