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My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:30 pm
by axiom
Tank specs - 200L, 100 x 40 x 55 cm.
Lighting - 1 Life-Glo Fluorescent Tube 30W T8, 1 Marine-Glo Fluorescent Tube 30W T8, plus LED moonlights.

I'm running an Eheim Professional 2 2028 External Filter and an Eheim Professional 3 2075 External Filter, along with a TMC v2 Vecton UV Steriliser for filtration.
Circulation is handled by a Hydor Koflakeia Circulation and Wave Pump 900 l/h.

Heating - I've got a Hydor ETH External Heater 200W, and a 250W internal heater as a backup.
Substrate is Premium Silica Sand, with a 3D Rock background and Limestone Rock for hardscaping.

Inhabitants - 14 Pseudotropheus Saulosi.

Tank Pictures


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Fish Pictures


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Female (holding)










Male









































































Video


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http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZb9gMfPZRs&feature=plcp

Cycle Log


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Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:11 pm
by waveborn
Tank looks stunning, the setup and inhabitants are truly impressive.

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 4:32 pm
by axiom
Thanks for the kind words, waveborn. I'm starting to observe some interesting behavior in the tank now - the males are beginning to assert their dominance over each other. What I find particularly intriguing is that the winning male seems to be changing its coloration slightly each time it emerges victorious.

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:01 pm
by DuskFlyer
That background is seriously awesome.

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 7:35 pm
by axiom
That background is looking really sweet, thanks for sharing.

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 8:06 pm
by axiom
Update: weekly water change today, first one with the fish in. All went smoothly but the water clouded up about 8 hours later. Ran some tests, here are the results:

PH: 8
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: barely a trace, weird that I couldn't get a proper reading
GH: 140
KH: 120

Everything looks fine, so that's a relief. Added some API Accu Clear, fingers crossed it'll be clear by tomorrow morning.

Ordered a water level alarm and a Vector 300 UV, want to keep the water crystal clear and parasite-free.

Noticed some of the saulosi flicking off the sand, is this normal? Only asking 'cause when I had discus, this was a sign of parasites.

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 12:17 am
by rubyking
Check this guy out, he'd be perfect for your setup mate,

https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLPEMTS4aHw

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 5:38 am
by axiom
Track eels aren't suitable for my setup, they can grow massive, up to 36 inches, and need a huge tank, at least 500L. I've read they wouldn't thrive in my tank, and to be honest, this one's just for my mbuna.

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 8:26 am
by axiom
Got a quick question, I've got 14 Pseudotropheus Saulosi at around 1.5" and I'm planning to add 10 more that are about 1". Would it be alright to introduce all 10 at once? Main concern is the larger ones picking on the new additions.

Re: My 200-liter mbuna aquarium

Posted: Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:39 am
by kalevi
10 more saulosi should be alright, adding in groups is the way to go. Just a heads up, you'll probably need to thin out the males if you end up with too many.