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View Full Version : Re-Did Our 75g Mbuna Tank -- Pics Included



Deleted User
11-25-2009, 02:29 PM
We re-did our mbuna cichlid tanks to give them more hiding places. We still used flower pots (I like them), but drilled holes in the back so there's an in and an out to each place. With how they are stacked, there are also a lot of places in-between for the fish to go. The pots are stacked about 2" or so from the back of the tank and the fish like hanging out behind the pots, too.

Looking at the rock options, I like the "Texas Holey Rocks" (limestone rocks) and will be incorporating some of that as well. But, for now, here's what we have in the mbuna tank. It's 75g and just set up the weekend before last. We have some red zebras, cobalt blue zebras, albino zebras, acei and yellow labs though they are making good use of their (new) hiding spots so you can't really see much of them in the shots. We have two Penguin 350's on the tank and two air stone disks in the corners behind the plants. I did just order a Rena XP3 to use with the tank as well (this will be our first canister).

When I first set the tank up (weekend before last), we had maybe half as many pots placed out in sets, and we didn't have the backs drilled out. I didn't know better until Sharon here pointed it out, that the mbunas need an in and an out to do well and that rocks would work better. But, I'm not wild about the rocks yet. I hope, though, that these pots will keep working well for us (partial to them). I appreciate Sharon pointing out I needed to do something different and also explaining why (it made perfect sense when she did -- thanks, Sharon!)

Here are the pictures:


http://www.whinny4me.com/Fish/Tanks---112509---054.jpg

http://www.whinny4me.com/Fish/Tanks---112509---039.jpg



And, our sweet little blood parrots also got some new pots, which they are enjoying:


http://www.whinny4me.com/Fish/Tanks---112509---068.jpg



Thanks for looking! I know these can't hold a candle to some of your set ups, but I really enjoy them a lot.

rich311k
11-25-2009, 02:36 PM
Very nice. I think they loook great.

Red
11-25-2009, 02:37 PM
Jill the tanks look nice, but why not add some nice slate to your african setup.

Northernguy
11-25-2009, 02:39 PM
That will definately work!
I like the look of it Jill!

Rue
11-25-2009, 03:14 PM
I like it. And it should work (you'll find out soon enough if it doesn't).

I don't see a need to add slate or rock now...I think it looks very nice as is...adding another element won't improve the look...or the environment from the fishs' POV...

cichlids209
11-25-2009, 05:49 PM
very nice thumbs2: i think your tanks look great and good job on the pots thats a cheap alternative to the expensive rock did you silicone them together ? or are they just stacked ? also when i had my kenyi he like to go in the pot i had i had it like a cave with the bigger end down on the gravel and just the bottom open he would peak his head out it was funny

Deleted User
11-25-2009, 08:40 PM
Thanks, folks! I appreciate the comments and am happy with how it turned out http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/aiw/yes.gif

gm72
11-25-2009, 08:41 PM
I...am happy with how it turned out

That, ma'am, is all that matters.

Deleted User
11-25-2009, 09:07 PM
That, ma'am, is all that matters.
Yep! And my husband also does so all is good :19: :19: :19:

Watching a video of another member's mbuna tank yesterday, I soooo can't wait until my mbunas are full grown! It's going to be so fun to watch them do their things.

Jaster
11-25-2009, 09:25 PM
Looks great Jill! Love the pots!! thumbs2:

thatcichlidguy
11-25-2009, 09:40 PM
looks good Jill! I don't know if anyone else caught this but that set up will make catching any trouble makers pretty easy. Just chase them into a pot and net on one side hand on the other = caught fish. My old LFS had lots of PVC pipe sections in their tanks for that very purpose. Just hope they don't swim into one of the bottom pots.

Deleted User
11-25-2009, 09:57 PM
looks good Jill! I don't know if anyone else caught this but that set up will make catching any trouble makers pretty easy. Just chase them into a pot and net on one side hand on the other = caught fish. My old LFS had lots of PVC pipe sections in their tanks for that very purpose. Just hope they don't swim into one of the bottom pots.
Woot!!! I had not thought of that so am happy you pointed it out!!! Very good tip!!! Thanks thumbs2:

Deleted User
11-25-2009, 10:18 PM
I forgot to answer about the silicon. No, I didn't do that. Should I? And if I do, can I still pull them apart if I needed to (if I decide to move them out, or some of them out for rocks)?

Also, we have slate readily available, but I am liking the pots, at least for now. I thought maybe I could put some that holey rock though in the corners were the lone pots are? We'll see what I can find thumbs2:

domjd05
11-25-2009, 11:05 PM
I miss my mbuna tank... great job! The fish will love those ins and outs.

bushwhacker
11-25-2009, 11:16 PM
guess i'm just a naturalist at heart LOL its way too symmetrical for me . but if your happy thats all that matters

cichlids209
11-25-2009, 11:20 PM
I forgot to answer about the silicon. No, I didn't do that. Should I? And if I do, can I still pull them apart if I needed to (if I decide to move them out, or some of them out for rocks)?

Also, we have slate readily available, but I am liking the pots, at least for now. I thought maybe I could put some that holey rock though in the corners were the lone pots are? We'll see what I can find thumbs2:

oh no... you don't have to . But some people do , i guess it's a sense of security if it wont fall over and crack your tank but there is also egg crate for that as well .

Deleted User
11-25-2009, 11:52 PM
Hmmm... I didn't realize they were heavy enough to crack the tank. Sounds like I need to do something to make them more secure...

Lady Hobbs
11-26-2009, 12:26 AM
I love brand new tanks when everything is so clean and nice in them. Looks nice, Jill.

Not NEW Not OLD
11-26-2009, 02:21 AM
silicone is not really necessary Jill and the look is cool and totally unique... first tank ive seen setup like that. I like the symmetrical look as well as that chaotic video look that you looked at. Different strokes for different folks and the coloring should look great with the blues and yellows...nice job...

Deleted User
11-26-2009, 10:27 AM
Thanks! I'm liking the tank more now that the fish are coming out a lot more (when we first re-did the pots, of course, they hid awhile). It will be even better, though, when they are more grown!