My 3ft Malawi Cichlid Tank
After 12 years of absence in the aquarium hobby, I decided start an aquarium but this time I had gone for a Cichlid setup (previously a planted tank). Found Malawi Cichlids very attractive and fell in love with them almost immediately. After much debate with the wife, we decided (not exactly "we" but can't win everything) to get a 3ft tank.
Finally got my tank from the good people from Clementi Florist and started setting up my tank. I used coral sand and black rocks (can't believe rocks cn be so expensive). 3rd Dec 2015 http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1453612979 Water was cloudy, which was totally expected. Threw in some tank conditioner to speed up the cycling period. |
Update when stocks are in.
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whats the damage for a 3ft tank set ?
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Welcome to African Cichlid.
Looking good bud.....lotsa of water movement. On a downside, tank may be too small for Malawis.....would be very challenging keeping some of the species alive due to space constraint. Do keep us updated on their progress. |
Thanks for your comment Birchardi.
Agree on the tank size issue. If i had it my way it would be a 4x2x2. Well, that a discussion for another day. Been paying close attention on the bioload. Lotsa filtration. Frequent water changes. So far so good... just have to stay dicipline to not overfeed them which is quite challenging. The most challenging part actually is to resist buying more beauties when I spot them at LFS. |
Sharing some photos. Warning Pics Intensive
Took out the ole dslr out from the cabinet. Tot of sharing some close up shot of the cichlids. Apologise in advance if the photos are too large.
http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...pswml1xdmf.jpg http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...pshx88rdqk.jpg http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psliahxnef.jpg |
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Nice collection there, you got all the big guys there hah
https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/ |
I started malawi with 1.6 ft then to 3ft so far ok untill
I got into tanga. My opinion for you is to keep max at 25 to 30 depends on size, decide what you want to keep. Filtration must be overpower, what are you using currently? https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/ |
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NH3 0ppm NO2 0 ppm NO3 between 40~80ppm For filtration, I'm running: 1. Dophin C-1000 canister that is giving out 1650L/hr (on paper) with 3 trays of media (Biohome Plus media, Ceramic Rings and Sponge). This came as a set when I purchased this tank. 2. Powerhead with Biohome Plus media and sponge on the right side of the tank. This is mainly to push the water to the canister intake on the left. 3. Trying out the K1 media as well. Can't tell if it's working well or not at the moment as the water chemistry is still within control. On top of that, my water change regime is pretty harsh as well. 1 do it about twice a week taking out about 30% each time. Trying to maintain the NO3 round 40ppm. |
I think thats pretty good to start with, whats the power for your powerhead? Malawi is quite hardy
https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/ |
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Can't recall the powerhead capacity right now. I'll have a look at the box when I get back home. Is there a guideline for the powerhead sizing? Didn't want something too big and bulky but good enough to circulate the water. |
Beautiful collection and nice tank setup, happy fish keeping.
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Happy pets, happier owner!! |
More photos
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Very nice shots taken and your fishes look healthy and beautiful.
Your maylandi is very nice and I got one few weeks ago but the redness on the head has faded and now no color at all zzzz |
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Mix and match try to make your circulation 2.5k to 3kl/h
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More pics
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Very nice looking hardscape and colorful selection of fish. Some black oyama paper at the back would finish it off nicely. It's easy enough to stick on using water and some vegetable oil, you can easily push out any air bubbles with a credit card.
Some of your haps (venustus, vc10, fusco and blue dolphin) have a large adult size and will get more aggressive in a smaller tank but for the time being it's ok. You did a great job on the photos too :) |
Got a little bored with the lighting so decided to order some LEDs and make some modifications to my lighting hood.
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After some adjustments, this is the light setting that I'm most attracted to. The red from the cichlids really pop out beautifully in this tone. Personally, the lighting that came with he hood is somewhat too strong/bright. It's more pleasing to the eye since the lighting intensity has reduced. I guess the saying "less is more" applies.
Next upgrade will be sticking the Oyana sticker onto the back glass. It's gonna be tough as the back of the tank is against the wall.
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http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1313 |
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http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=535792 |
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Waterchwee,
Did you go dis morning? |
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Lazy man way, just tap the black portion at the back of tank no need stick, if its against the wall no one sees as well. Haha https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/ |
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