Sound like a good deal to you? (help, cichlid experts)

[Glasstapper]

(not sure if this should be in the cichlid section or if it's ok here. mods may move thread if necessary)

I think it sounds like an excellent deal. So there's a guy at another forum that also lives in the same city as me that is willing to trade his african stock for my salvini. Poor Jack the salvini is and will definitely be TOO aggressive for what I had in mind and he is looking to switch to an american cichlid tank. He said I can pick one or all or whatever I want from this list as trade:

Aulonocara baenschi “Red” 2 – 1M, 1F "peacocks"
Pseudotropheus socolofi "powder blue" 4, beautiful pale blue color
Labidochromis caeruleus “Electric Yellow” 3, yellow labs
Metriaclima estherae "Red Zebra" 2, nice deep bright orange color
Pseudotropheus sp. "Elongatus Chewere" 5, look good against light backgrounds
Synodontis Multipunctatus catfish 2, best catfish for African tanks
1 small Bushynose pleco

I'm definitely not going to pass up this opportunity to find my salvini a wonderful home and gain some beautiful africans in exchange. Yes, it means that I have to postpone my dwarf cichlid tank, but I've discoverd the selection in my area is very limited, and I'm not paying outrageous online shipping charges.

Which ones do you think I should get to stock my 29? I can hardly imagine putting all of those together, but what do I know about africans? Not much yet. My filtration is doubled (HOB rated for up to 60 gallons) and my water change is currently 30% twice a week, but that can be adjusted easily. Decorations not yet set up. Suggestions?

[f1oored]

I've always thought a yellow lab species tank would be cool. Any of the fish he has would be nice though. I keep labs and zebras (25 right now) and they are both very cool fish. Socolofi are very nice fish also. For a tank that size I would say 5-7 mbuna (though most people recomend at least a 55 gallon for these fish). Maybe you could take all of the labs and the socolofi, that would give you 7 and those are probably the most docile of the bunch.

For decor, go to a landscaping place because you need a lot of rocks (and paying lfs prices will break the bank). Good luck, glad you found a home for Jack.

[cocoa_pleco]

sorry about jack. all of those fish sound good. deff. get the pleco!

[Glasstapper]

oh, I definitely want that pleco. I'll probably put that one in my main tank. Such a cool looking fish!

As for the others, I do want one of the peacocks with a combination of some labs and socolofi. The chewere is a gorgeous fish, but too aggressive for the tank size, so that one is out, unfortunately. the zebras are also fantastic.

I know for sure I've got to have one of those catfish. I'll do some careful figuring and educate myself on african care. From what I understand, those are all mostly juveniles, but I'm going to plan with adult figures since this tank will be the long term home. I want them all, but I need to choose carefully which ones I want.

Hey, should I do a sand or a small pebble substrate?

[cocoa_pleco]

If its a taller tank theyre goin in sand should be okay, but if its a regular shaped tank the sand will clog the filter and it'll be a nightmare.
as for small pebbles, that should work, just not big gumball sized pebbles as you cant vacuum them.
good luck

[jweintraub]

Sand looks so much better and is more natural for malawi cichlids. BUT(there's always a but!) it shows off the poop much better and is harder to clean and maintain, not to mention like 'cocoa pleco' said about possibly clogging the filter if the intake is too low or if the sand gets stirred up which I can guarantee will happen during every cleaning!

[Glasstapper]

thanks. I'm going to run up to home depot this weekend and get those small pebbles with some round rocks and slate. The guy suggested for me the 3 yellow labs, 3 socofoli, the 2 red zebras and a synodontis as long as I make an effort to provide lots of little caves.

[f1oored]

Good luck and post pictures when you have it setup.

[Lady Hobbs]

You just keep getting great deals. If he is willing to trade any of these combinations, he may also be willing to sell you some at a reasonable cost as long as they go well together.

I hope good things just keep happening to you. Better get that tank set up, woman.

[Glasstapper]

I guess it's just been a lucky streak. I glued some rocks together and I have been playing around on how to set up my "hotel". I'll probably finish the structure tonight and wait an extra day or two for it to completely dry, then I'll take some pictures of it all in the tank. I'll also have some pictures of the fish once they get in the tank.

And yeah, the guy wants to trade me however many cichlids I want for just the one salvini....for free!. He said he's been trying to get rid of them for a while, and no one has taken him up on his offer until me. Crazy, huh?

I guess sometime people just happen to be in the right place at the right time. I don't get very many lucky breaks, so I'm pretty excited about the recent events. :)

[Glasstapper]

Ok guys! I have it all set up. What do you think? My overall goal was a pleasing look that provided lots of hidey spots and territorial barriers that also helped to hide equipment somewhat. I managed to get my blue air stone hidden and most of the heater. Not much I could do with the filter intake. Also, I still just have the blue towel hanging on the back. I'll have to order some plain black background through the mail. Not bad, huh?

[jeffs99dime]

Ok guys! I have it all set up. What do you think? My overall goal was a pleasing look that provided lots of hidey spots and territorial barriers that also helped to hide equipment somewhat. I managed to get my blue air stone hidden and most of the heater. Not much I could do with the filter intake. Also, I still just have the blue towel hanging on the back. I'll have to order some plain black background through the mail. Not bad, huh?

that looks really good! good job glasstapper

[Drumachine09]

I guess it's just been a lucky streak. I glued some rocks together and I have been playing around on how to set up my "hotel". I'll probably finish the structure tonight and wait an extra day or two for it to completely dry, then I'll take some pictures of it all in the tank. I'll also have some pictures of the fish once they get in the tank.

And yeah, the guy wants to trade me however many cichlids I want for just the one salvini....for free!. He said he's been trying to get rid of them for a while, and no one has taken him up on his offer until me. Crazy, huh?

I guess sometime people just happen to be in the right place at the right time. I don't get very many lucky breaks, so I'm pretty excited about the recent events. :)

Some people have all the luck eh? Which cichlids do you plan on getting for your tank? I think you said you are going to have yellow labs and blue scolofolis, is there anything else? And how many?

[Drumachine09]

Oh yeah, killer tank!:thumb: :thumb:

[Glasstapper]

Some people have all the luck eh? Which cichlids do you plan on getting for your tank? I think you said you are going to have yellow labs and blue scolofolis, is there anything else? And how many?

yes, 3 yellow labs, 3 blue socolofis (I never know how to spell that one), 2 red zebras, and probably a synodontis cat. I know it's a bit of a load for the 29, but I'm hoping all the hidey holes will help, and I do frequent water changes for my other tanks already, so that's no biggie.

[Drumachine09]

Im looking to do either all labs or three labs three scolofolis with a syndontis epeturues.