NetMax wrote in message ...

"MorkFromOrk" wrote in message
news:EY1Wb.459116$X%5.366401@pd7tw2no...
Hey there everyone.

I'm thinking of buying a new 20g (80L) -30g (120L) aquarium and
starting a
cichlid tank. I'd like it to be a Mbuna Cichlid tank, with a couple of
pseudotropheus zebras to start. Here are a few questions I have though,
and
any advice would be greatly appreciated:

- What other Mbuna species are compatible with zebras? I was thinking
of
Melanochromis Auratus. Is that OK?

On the mbuna scale of aggression, where Labs are a low '1', Zebras are an
'8' and Auratus are a '10'. In a 20-30g tank, then in 18 months there is
a very good chance that you will have one fish left in your tank. It
will be black with a yellow stripe. There are smaller gentler African
cichlids available, otherwise take a look at bigger tanks (55g +).

- What kind of filter do you suggest I get? I've heard a lot of good
things
about the Penguin Bio-Wheel filters by Marineland (
http://www.marineland.com/products/c...uinfilters.asp ).
Would
the "Mini" be enough for a 20g tank or should I go with the 125
regardless?
I've read that Mbuna Cichlids have to have very good filtration. Are
canister filters better? If so, any recommendations?

I always overfilter African tanks (the extra turbulence to get around the
rockwork, the extra biological filtration to compensate for the waste
from their high protein feedings and lack of significant plants, the
extra mechanical pickup power for their cr*p).

- I was thinking of using crushed coral as a substrate, various
rockwork to
create caves, and I'd like to stay away from plants if possible. What
do you
think?

This is not an uncommon set-up. A good application for carbon filtration
and bio-wheel technology. Plants are possible, but selection &
protection needs to be thought out, and are not compatible with all
Africans.

NetMax


I have some F1 german bred Red zebras, I find them to be the most peaceful
fish in my tank. they show no aggression to each other or any other tank
mates.

one thing you will find is that the colouration can change from a very deep
orange to a very washed out colour, almost albino like.. I have no idea why,
mine do it from time to time, in no particular pattern and for no particular
reason..

the most aggressive fish in my tank is actually a male Yellow Lab.. hows
that.. but really I have never had a great deal of trouble with aggression
in my tank. it's 125g with 22 fish.. they have lots of space...