Moving A 30 Gallon Rift Tank Into A 125

[CichlidKeeper01]

This is my first thread on here. Always looked but never posted. So, I am doing exactly what the title says. I am moving a 30 gal rift tank into a 125 gal on the fact that a impulse buy gets big. I need some advice. I will start off with the 30 stocking.
-Maylandia lombardoi
-Labidochromis caeruleus
-Iodotropheus sprengerae
-Pseudotropheus socolofi
-Pseudotropheus Acei
-Nimbochromis Livingstonii
-Nimbochromis Venustus

These guys are about two inches long and will be the first residents in the tank. After moving them, 90 gals of cycled hob filters (more filtration will be added), and cycled gravel I was hoping to add more fish. I am hoping to have this primarily be an mbuna tank with a few large haps (the Nimbochromis) and have heard that a good number of mbuna is 30. If this is true, then how many could I introduce at one time? I know the general rule is 4 to spread aggression, but did not know if I needed to do less. And then could I gradually increase the number added to the tank (i.e 4 then 5 then 6 etc)? If so, then how long do I have to wait in between? I was thinking 1 to 2 weeks. Also was thinking about adding some synos to the mix, was wondering if it would be better for them to be added before or after? Thanks in advance and sorry for such a long post and all the questions.

 

[tlindsey]

This is my first thread on here. Always looked but never posted. So, I am doing exactly what the title says. I am moving a 30 gal rift tank into a 125 gal on the fact that a impulse buy gets big. I need some advice. I will start off with the 30 stocking.
-Maylandia lombardoi
-Labidochromis caeruleus
-Iodotropheus sprengerae
-Pseudotropheus socolofi
-Pseudotropheus Acei
-Nimbochromis Livingstonii
-Nimbochromis Venustus

These guys are about two inches long and will be the first residents in the tank. After moving them, 90 gals of cycled hob filters (more filtration will be added), and cycled gravel I was hoping to add more fish. I am hoping to have this primarily be an mbuna tank with a few large haps (the Nimbochromis) and have heard that a good number of mbuna is 30. If this is true, then how many could I introduce at one time? I know the general rule is 4 to spread aggression, but did not know if I needed to do less. And then could I gradually increase the number added to the tank (i.e 4 then 5 then 6 etc)? If so, then how long do I have to wait in between? I was thinking 1 to 2 weeks. Also was thinking about adding some synos to the mix, was wondering if it would be better for them to be added before or after? Thanks in advance and sorry for such a long post and all the questions.

Welcome aboard

james99
mattison187

 

[CichlidKeeper01]

Thanks!

 

[tlindsey]

CichlidKeeper01 you may find info here tap Forums scroll down to Cichlids and hope you get some answers until members reply.

 

[deeda]

Welcome!!

Is this a standard 125G tank? Post the dimensions for the best advice.

Are you planning a male only tank or are you also considering females?

Will any new fish be of similar size?

 

[CichlidKeeper01]

The 125 gal is 72*18*30. Currently we have a mix, did not realize it till a couple weeks ago so I think it will probably have some females in it. Hoping to add fish at a little bit of a smaller or bigger size.

 

[CichlidKeeper01]

Also wonder if a species of Tyrannichromis could work in this tank?

 

[deeda]

Your dimensions come up with approx. 168 gallons so it might be a 150G tank assuming it is a standard glass aquarium.

You should consider getting the new tank up and running and doing a fish-less cycle if you can as this will allow you to have enough good bacteria to stock more heavily. A fish-less cycle can be done either using plain household ammonia with no additives (Ace hardware brand works great) though it can take up to 6 weeks to be ready or using a bottled bacteria product such as Start Smart Complete will also work in my experience if you are in a hurry.

If you already don't own one, I highly suggest buying the test kit that has the ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and possibly the GH (hardness) and KH (alkalinity) tests to monitor water parameters. I find them necessary when setting up a new tank to monitor water quality and especially if you are new to the hobby or have no idea of your tap water quality or what type of disinfectant is used by your local water company.

If the plan is only males and you will be removing any females in the future, the usual suggestion is 1 male per species and none that look similar.

If the plan is male AND female, the usual suggestion is 1 male per 4 or 5 females depending on the species. However, if you want any Aulonocara (Malawi Peacock) species, you should only keep 1 species if you want male & females as the females look similar and you won't be able to tell them apart and will risk crossbreeding so any fry you may want to sell will be worthless to any buyer.

I have not kept Tyrannochromis so can't advise.

Is your plan to buy fish locally or are you considering buying online?

 

[CichlidKeeper01]

I was hoping the cycle could be mainly skipped using the 90 gallons of cycled filtration and gravel. I was also going to cycle another HOB but figured I could use bacteria to jump start that. I have got a test kit. My tap water is naturally hard and has a high ph. I have been keeping freshwater for a couple years and recently started with saltwater. I think I will stick to mbuna and the guidelines above. I was planning to buy locally since we have a pretty nice LFS about an hour away. I guess it really isn't local.

 

[deeda]

You may want to consider using a sand substrate rather than gravel as the fish tend to mouth it and move it around the tank a bit. Pool filter sand is a popular option and tends to be either tan or off white in color depending on where you live. It is also very inexpensive to buy compared to gravel.

Another option if you want something more colorful is to use a product usually used for swimming pools coating though availability may be limited depending on where you live. I use Estes Permacolor Quartz Trowel Rite size in a combination of black, tan, and white to look more natural.