African cichlids- like malawi?

Question

how would i set up a tank for lake malawi cichlids? i have a 55 gal. I like mbunas

Answer 1

They like high PH,like 7.6 or higher.They also like to have hiding places,so make sure you have caves in there for them.They also like to dig,so a loose substrate is best,crushed coral would help with the higher PH.They will dig in what ever substrate you use,so plants will be uprooted if live,or just end up floating on the top if fake.They also need clean water to thrive.Weekly water changes would be best.
55 gallons would be fine for Mbunas,but you might consider just one species with one male and several females.If kept in smaller numbers with several different species,they can become very aggressive toward each other.
They are very entertaining fish,have fun with them!

Answer 2

Rocks(Mbuna means Rockfish),Coral gravel (to maintain a high pH),and maybe a few really tough plants, lots of cover(they are relentless about territory),slightly oversize filtration(the high pH makes toxins more toxic),also the rocks must be sitting on a solid bottom to avoid "slabbing",this happens when the little devils dig all the gravel from under a rock and get mashed by falling decorations. Good aeration is important,as is really good cycling practices,this is also due to the high pH. Mbuna tanks are really great candidates for "fish-less cycling".

Answer 3

i in my view discover your tank very captivating and delightful to examine! i assume consistent with threat discover some thing with extra shade. we've those logs with pretend plant existence linked to it to function somewhat shade to our tank, and the income of them is that our oscars and cichlids can no longer uproot the flora on the logs. lol yet i myself appreciate your tank because it is. it is exciting yet to no longer overstimulating.