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-   -   My 3ft Malawi Cichlid Tank (http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=535605)

sherchoo 25-01-2016 02:41 PM

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.

patclay 25-01-2016 03:18 PM

Update when stocks are in.

Arubino 25-01-2016 05:50 PM

whats the damage for a 3ft tank set ?

sherchoo 25-01-2016 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arubino (Post 9931000)
whats the damage for a 3ft tank set ?

Will PM u...

sherchoo 25-01-2016 08:17 PM

9th Jan 2016 Update

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1453634124

sherchoo 25-01-2016 08:18 PM

14th Jan 2016 Update

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1453634123

sherchoo 25-01-2016 08:20 PM

19th Jan 2016 Update

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1453634147

sherchoo 25-01-2016 08:21 PM

22nd Jan Update

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...g?t=1453634146

Brichardi 25-01-2016 08:31 PM

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.

sherchoo 25-01-2016 10:30 PM

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.

sherchoo 26-01-2016 01:25 AM

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

sherchoo 26-01-2016 01:27 AM

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...ps89lp9e5i.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psfx51owh2.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psg2qo4jri.jpg

sherchoo 26-01-2016 01:53 AM

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psjjsua3dt.jpg


http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...pszqh5fcxl.jpg


http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psxjj8expy.jpg

CCT 26-01-2016 02:05 AM

Nice collection there, you got all the big guys there hah


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

CCT 26-01-2016 02:07 AM

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/

sherchoo 26-01-2016 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCT (Post 9931134)
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/

I'm definitely pushing my limits on fishes at the moment. I have 27 fish inside right now ranging from 2" to 4" Monitoring closely on the tank water parameters and currently they are:

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.

CCT 26-01-2016 10:15 AM

I think thats pretty good to start with, whats the power for your powerhead? Malawi is quite hardy


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

sherchoo 26-01-2016 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCT (Post 9931173)
I think thats pretty good to start with, whats the power for your powerhead? Malawi is quite hardy


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

Thanks for your assurance. Wishing that I have less equipment in the tank but fish health more important right now.

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.

Kirin 26-01-2016 01:09 PM

Beautiful collection and nice tank setup, happy fish keeping.

sherchoo 26-01-2016 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirin (Post 9931213)
Beautiful collection and nice tank setup, happy fish keeping.

Thanks.

Happy pets, happier owner!!

sherchoo 26-01-2016 02:18 PM

More photos
 
http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psctregkn1.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psug3hqtiz.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psmgj8dz8h.jpg

WaterChwee 26-01-2016 02:51 PM

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

sherchoo 26-01-2016 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCT (Post 9931173)
I think thats pretty good to start with, whats the power for your powerhead? Malawi is quite hardy


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

It's a 500 l/hr powerhead

CCT 26-01-2016 10:53 PM

Hmm get something over 1k is better


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

sherchoo 27-01-2016 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCT (Post 9931344)
Hmm get something over 1k is better


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

Just to be clear, you refering to the powerhead in the tank for ciculating the water or the canister filter should be more than 1k?

CCT 27-01-2016 12:48 AM

Mix and match try to make your circulation 2.5k to 3kl/h


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

sherchoo 27-01-2016 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCT (Post 9931373)
Mix and match try to make your circulation 2.5k to 3kl/h


https://www.facebook.com/africancichlidssg/

Understood... thanks for your advise

sherchoo 31-01-2016 01:59 AM

More pics
 
http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7zrafxql.jpg

http://i1155.photobucket.com/albums/...psjpymgewl.jpg

freddie 31-01-2016 04:44 PM

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 :)

sherchoo 02-02-2016 04:16 PM

Got a little bored with the lighting so decided to order some LEDs and make some modifications to my lighting hood.

YouTube Video
ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.

sherchoo 03-02-2016 09:50 AM

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.

YouTube Video
ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.

trueblue82 07-02-2016 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherchoo (Post 9932711)
Got a little bored with the lighting so decided to order some LEDs and make some modifications to my lighting hood.

YouTube Video
ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.

im considering to put warmer lights on my tank too...very cool lighting:o

sherchoo 10-02-2016 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueblue82 (Post 9933558)
im considering to put warmer lights on my tank too...very cool lighting:o

Tried several temp lighting, warmer seems to be more appealing. My personal opinion only.

WaterChwee 17-02-2016 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherchoo (Post 9932836)
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.

YouTube Video
ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.

Hi bro may I know what is the red cilchid on the top left corner at the beginning and how much u got it at what size.

sherchoo 18-02-2016 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterChwee (Post 9935076)
Hi bro may I know what is the red cilchid on the top left corner at the beginning and how much u got it at what size.

German Red Peacock. 3.5" @$12

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profile...es.php?id=1313

WaterChwee 18-02-2016 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherchoo (Post 9935174)

Can share where u get and wat Size

sherchoo 18-02-2016 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterChwee (Post 9935216)
Can share where u get and wat Size

YunFeng

http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=535792

WaterChwee 19-02-2016 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherchoo (Post 9935244)

Thanks will go this sat morning

sherchoo 20-02-2016 04:36 PM

Waterchwee,

Did you go dis morning?

CCT 21-02-2016 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sherchoo (Post 9932836)
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.



YouTube Video
ERROR: If you can see this, then YouTube is down or you don't have Flash installed.


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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