Starting a new 150 gallon fish tank

Lupin

Yes, it is reasonable.
Go with black. I like it better than maple.

Pls check my sticky on Beginner's Guide for more ideas. It's in New Freshwater Tanks section.

CJ

If you want to cause the tank to cycle artificially, you can add urine cheaper and more safely than commercial products.

What I usually do with a new tank is to go to Foster and Smith http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...3636&subref=AC and buy Cichlid Sand. It comes wet and cost significantly more, but if theres no chlorine in your water, you will be set with a substrate 3-4 inches deep. Also, you should realize similar results by using discarded substrate from old aquariums, and you can always find someone nearby to give you 5 or 10 gallons of dirty water from an active system when they do a water change.

What you can expect to spend depends on where you get the set up equipment. I use the website I listed above almost exclusively for equipment and supplies such as food. Regardless of size, anything over 60 gallons is going to cost you about $1,000.00 to set up.

Take your time, the tank is the least expensive portion of this hobby, and patience in this hobby is not only a virtue, it is a necessity if you want to succeed.

Lupin

I might add as well that make sure they are disease-free. Introduction of pathogens will cause you troubles.

SKAustin

If I might chime in for a minute. Cichlids require research. Lots of it. But if you've done a proper and thourough job of researching, then they are no more difficult to keep than any other fishes. Malawi Cichlids are some of the most colorful freshwater fishes available and with the proper research, you can create a stunning and successful rift lake setup.

A few good research points for Lake Malawi Cichlids
behaviors of the different fish
territorial aggression
conspecific aggression
dietary needs
ideal water parameters
territorial needs

keep in mind that Malawi cichlids are aggressive fish, and they do not take well to new additions. It would behoove you to either fishless cycle, or cycle your tank completely with a few inexpensive tropical fish that can be returned once the cycle is complete, then add the entire stock about 1/3 at a time, with a 1 week gap between groups.

My recommendation would be to go for a single species tank of Yellow labs. A large group of one species really makes for a beautiful tank, especially labs.

one last key point that will save a lot of hassle. Hybridization is one of the leading causes of overly aggressive fish. If you are spending that much on the tank, do yourself a favor and get your fish from a reputable source. If you can find a breeder that sells F1 fish, it would be in your best interest to go that route.

jsm11482

Thanks for all the great info! I have done a lot of reading (surely not enough) about each of the species I have chosen. I still need to look into it more, of course. I was planning on getting my fish thru www.liveaquaria.com. So should I get the tank going, then order ~10 fish, add them to the tank, order ~10 more immediately, add them when they arrive, and repeat? With 90 gal how many fish should I get for a healthy balance? Thank you!

Lupin

No. This is like leading to New Tank Syndrome. It's best to finish the fishless cycle.

jsm11482

Sorry, what i meant by "get the tank going" was "cycle the tank" so I mean to cyle it and then add the first batch of fish. Sorry for the confusion![/quote]

Lupin

Oh, I get confused at times.
It's better to add about 4-6 as 10 seems too many.
It's best that you buy juveniles but you must consider that they also grow considerably. Yellow Labs usually reach only until 10 cm.
90 gallons is quite big.
What fish are you planning(final stocking)? Only yellow labs and aulonocaras?
There are fulleborni, venustus, etc. Some can reach 15-20 cm.

jsm11482

Am planning on:
Electric Yellow (Yellow Lab)
Acei
Red Zebra
Blue Peacock
Yellow Peacock

PlecosTrying to stick to the "semi-aggressive" ones.

Not sure if I am going with 90gal, might go with 55-90...we will see.

Lupin

Ok. Pls update us on your decision. We can't post the final stocking without the final decision.
Rather than plecs, why not give syno catfish a try?
Plecs are for Amazonian community and some may not like the hardwater which Malawian cichlids love.
You could try synodontis multipunctatus or petricola.

Beware of the common plec. They can grow to 30 cm and will take up too much space.