Natural Looking African tanks

[Anonymous]

I want to set up my tank as close as to the natural habitat of the fishes I choose. Anybody have some killer tank set ups for me to see? I need some ideas on aquascaping etc.

Thanks!

Ace

 

[Anonymous]

They gots some good stuff at www.cichlid-forum.com .

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

I'm going to look it over today. I have my gravel and now I need to decide on rock structures etc.

 

[Anonymous]

I think a tank like this looks cool. I still need to do a lot of reading but how much do plants play in an African tank? I thought plants were a minimum.

 

[Anonymous]

I still need to do a lot of reading but how much do plants play in an African tank? I thought plants were a minimum.

From what I've read, they'll eventually dig them up or eat them. Plus there's not a lot of plants in their natural environment (rift lakes). Algea does grow on the rocks there, which they eat (at least the "Mbuna" africans).

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, that's what I thought. I guess I need to search out what a small portion of the lake might look like to get a better idea on how I want to aquascape and what rocks to use.

 

[Anonymous]

I still need to do a lot of reading but how much do plants play in an African tank? I thought plants were a minimum.

From what I've read, they'll eventually dig them up or eat them. Plus there's not a lot of plants in their natural environment (rift lakes). Algea does grow on the rocks there, which they eat (at least the "Mbuna" africans).

Aufwuchs!!

 

[Anonymous]

So what type of rocks. Tufa? Lava? I need to see some pics of what these lakes look like.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd recommend that you use 'lace' rock. It looks very natural, and is a great way to make caves. The more little caves and crevices you've got, the more fish you can cram into a small space.

You should be able to get away with some Anubias sp. or Java fern. You can tie them to rocks with a bit of cotten thread or even rubber band them. They'll attach to the rocks and should be tough enough to survive any/most herbivorous cichlids.

cichlid-forum.com is a good site if you're just looking for a reference. But, if you want a good community to ask questions. CichlidMadness is the best, bar none.

 

[Anonymous]

This is what a 'natural' rift lake tank should look like.

The round rocks are what you would find in nature...but like I said before, crevices caves are most important...especially with the mbunas.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Checking out that site too.

 

[Anonymous]

OK, this is not exactly natural African lake like but I'm digging it.

Whattya think so far?

 

[Anonymous]

use bigger, and fewer, rocks-most of the rock environs of the great lakes are formed by huge boulders piled on top of each other-the resulting crevices are where the fish hang out for shelter, etc-you'll also get better algae scrubbing surfaces for 'em to scrub with their teeth

 

[Anonymous]

Here's a better shot. I really like the way Lace rock looks.