Wow, eleven years ago! I hope you are still enjoying fishkeeping. Very nice video. I have a 30 gal tank for mostly tetra community, and I'm working on setting up my first 75 gal cichlid tank. Not yet sure if I'm going with South American or Lake Malawi cichlids. Cheers!
Didn't catch your name, but soaked up all the valuable info. I'm about 2 months into my first go at African Cichlids. Thanks for taking the time. Top-notch presentation.
I've been researching cichlids all week while thinking of starting my first 55 or 75gallon tank and this is the best most straight forward video I have found yet. Thanks very much, I have subbed. Cheers
Some of the soundest practice and advice I've seen when it comes to Mbuna tanks. Personally I would say that maybe taking out the rocks that often is a bit of an overkill, but then again, the tank sand and rocks look amazingly clean so... the results are obviously showing! Keep up the good work!
I'm new at the cichlid thing, and this is, by far, the most useful video I've seen thus far. No need to thank me for watching! Thank you for taking the time! Post more on the aesthetics! I dig your style
Excellent video...I am going to file this under "lots of good info on the net!" I haven't checked your other videos yet, so apologize if you have done one, but I would love to see you build the rock wall! It's just stunning. Many good ideas from this: painting the background, the tote for the supplies, the grating under the substrate..Thank you SO much for sharing your tanks. Can't wait to see some more videos. I will also apologize now if I burn up your videos with comments as I get caught up :0)~
Great video, full of useful info. I've kept fish for a long time but I'm just venturing into Malawi cichlids now and this video has been brilliant for me. Love the egg crate idea. Thank you very much, sir.
Rob, I think your maintenance is right on. I do weekly 50% water changes and feed my fish every other day and only have 2 hang on the back filters and I have noticed my water to be clearer than before. I have a mixed American and African tank at work and a Mbuna tank at home. I like Mbunas, but I going to more of a Peacock and American tank at my office.
Nice vid, beautiful tank and fish. I also have a 75 gallon tank with two Eheim filters. A 2213 bought in 88 and a 2215 bought in 94. These things are bullet proof and last forever. Well worth the money.
Thanks for the video, very informative. I am considering changing my 80 gallon show tank into salt water because my cichlids fight so much. After watching your video I may reconsider. Thanks again. Traci
Thanks for the kind words! Yes I'm still very much in the hobby, in fact things couldn't be better right now! I may have to get working on an update soon. Thanks for the support!
Very nice tank man. I have a 75 gallon and I like how you got yours set up. I'm in the process of trying 2 pick out more fish. MBUNA are the best!!! I have a bumblebee that is supper aggressive
Great video and your tank looks amazing!!!! Love the way you say about (a boot) haha, but I'm from Texas so I'm sure I would say a lot of things that sound funny to you haha. Thanks for the great video!! Just bought a 75g for my mbuna, can't wait to set it up!!
Nice video...I purchased this tank last year right around xmas....Was on sale online for $160....reg price was $499....Couldn't pass it up...Bought a Fluval 110......
Thanks for the video. You did a great job of answering questions, specifically regarding filtration. I have been doing some research and am very interested in setting up a Mbuna tank. Very helpful.
Beautiful tank, and lots of good information. I would like to try canister filters on my next tank, I currently use back packs on my 30 and 40 gallon tanks. Have you ever used a mirror background on a 75 gallon tank, I would mount it on the outside with silicone caulking. I also like the Idea of plastic crating on the bottom to support and distribute the weight of the rock.
Rob I enjoyed the vidio. I have 2 canesters that I have never used because of fear of getting water on the floor. Can I put the sunsun in buckets under the desk oak desk was free aquariums are on them 2-55 gallon upstairs tanks one on cast iorn stand in basement. Putting wheels on storage container great idea.
Beautiful tank and a great video, starting a 65 Gallon Mbuna tank myself. Any possibility of listing the names of your fish and totals, want to use this as a guideline.
I've watched hours of cichlid setup video's. Then I found yours. Thank you for your no nonsense approach I'm just starting out When you spoke about your pool sand substrate.is that the same as silica sand? Thanks again for your no bull approach.
Bert Ramsay just usual winey ass types who think keeping fish in small tanks is cruel...or feel the unjustified need to be an authority in the fish keeping hobby.
I'm assuming when he said you only have to clean your canister filter when the flow rate decreases or every 6 to 8 months. I honestly don't know what he meant by this comment, there is no way the foam and such inside the canister would be fine for that long, unless he meant cleaning out the whole inside of the canister but I don't know he never specified 🤷🏼♂️.
Awesome 👍 I’ll be starting my 55 Gallon Mbuna cichlid hopefully very soon, are they mix male & female in your tank? I just need to gather more info about cichlid & get rid of my koi fish in my 55 Gallon right now.
I know this is an old video but it is super super helpful! I'm not new to the hobby, (I've kept freshwater fish for over 12 years) but I'm currently in the process of setting up my first EVER African Cichlid tank... and Yes it will be Mbunas! I have everything ready to start setting up, but this will be my first time keeping fish that require a PH above 6 lol. And I never have really learned the science/equipment/process of keeping a consistent high PH. I need to because the water in my era stays right around 5.5 to 6. So in my inexperience, jumping all to way to needing 8 to 9 ph lvl sound like a lot! And since you didn't talk about it much in the video... I was wondering if you have any advice on how you've done it with your Mbunas. Would really appreciate it if you happen to see this comment, and help a fellow fish keeping enthusiast out💯 Thx
@@jakedow4641 Thanks for the suggestion... I actually figured out my PH problem and I'm ready for the Mbunas. I've got the tank all set up... just giving it 3 weeks with the system running before I get my fish. But yesterday my canister filter had a leak so I had to stop everything and figure that out lol. But yea now I'm onto the case of trying to finish getting the tank ready. One of the things I was to do is find a good wacemaker and attachments for my filter to create good surface agitation so I don't have to get a sponge filter to help with getting oxygen into the tank.
I started with a 20 gallon tank with some community fish and then a 35 gallon cube tank then a 60 gallon tank with some cichlids and about 1 month ago a 75 gallon tank i I put my African cichlids there and the community fish I just put them in the 60 gallon Cube
I dont change my water more than once a month. Will that be a problem? Because I do not see any problem except a few algea might grow but very easy to clean. Once a week seems to me too iften for such a big aquarium. Maybe you can share more of your knowledge about what could happen if I didnt change the water that often?
I have the same Marineland 75 gallon. Do you think I would be safe placing 300 lbs of rock into it? I'll have light diffuser plastic egg crate under it as well
I just setup a 75g male peacock/hap tank...I have river rocks but man I love the rocks you have in there..is that lava rocks if not pls let me know what type of rocks those are..nice tank
love your tank bro been trying to find some of that lava rock for a long time is there any other kind of rock that would stack up like that? I have a 150 gal and in the process of redoing my hardscape
Thanks for the comment. One type of rock that I think looks really nice and can also be stacked is lace rock, although, I've never been able to find any in my area. The best advice is to take a stroll through your local landscaping supply store and get some ideas for your tank, rock is usually pretty reasonably priced as well, much better than at the pet store! Good Luck!
Thanks for the comment David, it's quite a bit of rock I have but not sure how much or the weight of it all. This is an older video, if you search my channel you will find newer videos with this rock in my 120 gallon. Still use it after all this time.
I use black plasti dip in a spray can for my backgrounds. Spray about 6 thin coats on allows you to peel it off if you want to down the road. Say for a teardown and you want to switch to a blue background.
Thanks for the question, I would say keeping the tank heavily stocked and having lots of females for each species really helps to keep these guys comfortable and tolerant of each other. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!
Good review mate very informative, I’m looking at getting a 75G or as we would say here 300 Litres. I’m looking at practically the same setup except I’ll be using one 2217 & a wavemaker possibility supplementing it with a sponge filter also. I’ll be doing Mbuna too how many are you holding in yours I couldn’t get a count thanks again.
Sorry Ben I don't recall exactly how many I had this is an older video. I'm going to say around 35-40 fish. Thanks for watching and good luck with your setup.
Wow, eleven years ago! I hope you are still enjoying fishkeeping. Very nice video. I have a 30 gal tank for mostly tetra community, and I'm working on setting up my first 75 gal cichlid tank. Not yet sure if I'm going with South American or Lake Malawi cichlids. Cheers!
Great video! Very straight to the point with lots of good info and no long side mission rants. This has been very helpful to me.
Looks like im the first comment in 6 years sogreat video !, great looking fish, thanks so much for sharing, I deal with Big Al's also
Thanks for watching, glad the video is still in circulation.
Didn't catch your name, but soaked up all the valuable info. I'm about 2 months into my first go at African Cichlids. Thanks for taking the time. Top-notch presentation.
Appreciate the comment Steve, thanks for watching and good luck!
ive had my eheim cannister filter for 10 years now, stuffs super well built
I've been researching cichlids all week while thinking of starting my first 55 or 75gallon tank and this is the best most straight forward video I have found yet. Thanks very much, I have subbed. Cheers
So glad I could help, thank you and good luck with your project!
Some of the soundest practice and advice I've seen when it comes to Mbuna tanks. Personally I would say that maybe taking out the rocks that often is a bit of an overkill, but then again, the tank sand and rocks look amazingly clean so... the results are obviously showing!
Keep up the good work!
I'm new at the cichlid thing, and this is, by far, the most useful video I've seen thus far. No need to thank me for watching! Thank you for taking the time! Post more on the aesthetics! I dig your style
Thanks for the comment Duane, appreciate it!
Very informative video. i like the look of your main tank, after watching this I will definitely be painting the back of my tank.
Very nice simple straight forward video man... one of the best starter tip videos out there.... Really Enjoyed watching it.
Excellent video...I am going to file this under "lots of good info on the net!" I haven't checked your other videos yet, so apologize if you have done one, but I would love to see you build the rock wall! It's just stunning. Many good ideas from this: painting the background, the tote for the supplies, the grating under the substrate..Thank you SO much for sharing your tanks. Can't wait to see some more videos. I will also apologize now if I burn up your videos with comments as I get caught up :0)~
Thanks for the support! I enjoy reading all the comments, good luck with your project!
Great video, full of useful info. I've kept fish for a long time but I'm just venturing into Malawi cichlids now and this video has been brilliant for me. Love the egg crate idea. Thank you very much, sir.
Still relevant. This is a very helpful video. Thanks for the information!
Thanks for the comment! I'm glad this video was helpful. Appreciate you watching:)
Excellent placement for the filter outflow , I am going to be changing mine on maintenance day . Great video
Cool, thanks!
Nice tank. Very informative video. I'm a newbie with cichlids and I'm setting up a 75 gal tank
That's great! good luck with your tank, thanks for the comment.
i agree nice vid, im new as well and your video helped me so thanks
Rob, I think your maintenance is right on. I do weekly 50% water changes and feed my fish every other day and only have 2 hang on the back filters and I have noticed my water to be clearer than before. I have a mixed American and African tank at work and a Mbuna tank at home. I like Mbunas, but I going to more of a Peacock and American tank at my office.
Thank you! appreciate the comment.
Great video. Very informative without getting too technical. Thanks.
Nice vid, beautiful tank and fish. I also have a 75 gallon tank with two Eheim filters. A 2213 bought in 88 and a 2215 bought in 94. These things are bullet proof and last forever. Well worth the money.
I agree, the Eheims are great. Thanks for the comment!
Hi, nice tank ! Great detailed video. Look forward to more updates on your 75 gallon . Cheers 😊
Enjoyed your 75 Gal guide. Thinking of starting my own set up. Thanks for the helpful tips...
Your welcome, good luck!
Great informative video. I am about to set up a 75 gallon tank. This covers everything and is so helpful. Thanks!
Right on Rob ,Great idea with the rolling tote
Damion Markham It sure is handy! Thanks for watching.
I like the black background.... Makes your rocks and fish stand out more.
Awesome. Nice set up man, I got the same exact tank not too long ago, cycled it, and just started adding my cichlids into it this week.
Cool bro, thanks for the comment, good luck with the tank!
Cool video mate . Thanks for the information. Keep up the good work 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👍🏻✅
Thanks for stopping by Ben!
Thanks for the video, very informative. I am considering changing my 80 gallon show tank into salt water because my cichlids fight so much. After watching your video I may reconsider. Thanks again. Traci
Thanks Traci, I hope you stick with it, and good luck!
nice tank sir im new to the ciclid world so i follow people like you to get my knowledge. I subscribe to you and please look at my videos
Are you still in the hobby? Your mbuna tanks are amazing and ones that I emulate. Your knowledge of these fishes and how to mix them is also superb!
Thanks for the kind words! Yes I'm still very much in the hobby, in fact things couldn't be better right now! I may have to get working on an update soon. Thanks for the support!
Rocks out!! That's dedication.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this informational video. I learned a lot from it plus your tank is amazing.
Thank you Luis, appreciate the kind words, glad you liked the vid!
Very nice tank man. I have a 75 gallon and I like how you got yours set up. I'm in the process of trying 2 pick out more fish. MBUNA are the best!!! I have a bumblebee that is supper aggressive
+Joshua Smith Thanks Joshua, I agree, Mbuna's are the Boss!!! So many to choose from, It's so hard sometimes lol. Thanks for watching!
This is a well thought out video. Good job and thanks for posting it.
Your welcome, thanks for the comment.
really enjoyed your video. your a good teacher. keep those videos coming. thank you
Fantastic video. planning a 75 gallon Cichlid tank of my own soon. You answered many of the questions I had!
Great video, very informative. I am gathering research for a mbuna tank, so I appreciate all the information. :)
Your very welcome, good luck!
Great video and your tank looks amazing!!!! Love the way you say about (a boot) haha, but I'm from Texas so I'm sure I would say a lot of things that sound funny to you haha. Thanks for the great video!! Just bought a 75g for my mbuna, can't wait to set it up!!
Thanks for watching, good luck with the new tank!
Nice video...I purchased this tank last year right around xmas....Was on sale online for $160....reg price was $499....Couldn't pass it up...Bought a Fluval 110......
Thanks for the video. You did a great job of answering questions, specifically regarding filtration. I have been doing some research and am very interested in setting up a Mbuna tank. Very helpful.
Good tip about the seaview. i just use Mineral oil. Works fantastic. Have had my background stick for over a year so far. No issues. Great Video.
Thanks for the tip!
Incredible tank
Beautiful tank and thanks for all the great info.
Thanks for watching Eric!
very cool video! Ty for sharing!
wow, cleaning the rocks once every 3 weeks takes be by surprise....I am planning a 125g for cichlids....great video, thanks a lot from Montreal.
Thanks Mario, appreciate it!
Beautiful tank, and lots of good information. I would like to try canister filters on my next tank, I currently use back packs on my 30 and 40 gallon tanks. Have you ever used a mirror background on a 75 gallon tank, I would mount it on the outside with silicone caulking. I also like the Idea of plastic crating on the bottom to support and distribute the weight of the rock.
I painted the background like you i think thats the best way to to do do it You have a nice looking tank
Cool, I agree!
Great video. This is exactly what I've been looking for.
Rob I enjoyed the vidio. I have 2 canesters that I have never used because of fear of getting water on the floor. Can I put the sunsun in buckets under the desk oak desk was free aquariums are on them 2-55 gallon upstairs tanks one on cast iorn stand in basement. Putting wheels on storage container great idea.
Beautiful Cichlid Tank!
Jesse Montelongo Thanks Jesse, appreciate the comment.
I acquired a Universal Rocks 48-Inch by 20-Inch Ledge Flexible Aquarium Background and it works great for Mbuna Chiclids.
Beautiful tank and a great video, starting a 65 Gallon Mbuna tank myself. Any possibility of listing the names of your fish and totals, want to use this as a guideline.
awesome love the laid back style very informative good job thx
Great Video !! Thanks for doing this video. By the way Beautiful tank.
+Rodney Laurence Thanks bro, appreciate it!
Very nice aquarium!
awesome tutorial. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Brian!
Thanks for all the information!
Your welcome, thanks for the comment!
Do you think you can list the species and quantity of your tank. I would appreciate it very much
Thanks for the video, your tank looks great
Where did you get your lava rocks? I find only the small ones at the local hardware store.
Nice tank dude. And how did you managed to put a melanochromis with those tiny other cichlids
I've watched hours of cichlid setup video's. Then I found yours. Thank you for your no nonsense approach I'm just starting out When you spoke about your pool sand substrate.is that the same as silica sand? Thanks again for your no bull approach.
Hi Dave, thank you for the kind words and yes, they are the same. Good luck with your tank and thanks for watching.
robOzwrld hey, u think substrate is needed in a cichlid tank? can I go bare bottom?
Great video! What kinds on cichlids do you have? Absolutely beautiful.
Wow awesome... What kind of stones are?
Do you know were i can get one of supper green cichlids
Great video, very informative
Thank you!
Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge.
If you don't mind me asking... How much did your tank cost?
What type of bulb are you using in your strip light? Nice tank, good info, a fun video to watch for sure! Thanks!
The bulb is a Marineland T10 natural daylight.
Thanks! You do a great job on your videos, look forward to watching more of them in the future!
Thanks a lot, really appreciate you watching my vids!
Where did you get the rocks? So beautiful nice tank mate!
Fatass
Casey Lee lmao
Awesome vid, thanks for sharing!
Your very welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
Great video thank you
Where did you source your lava rock??
How do you keep your tank so crystal clear. It is awsom.
Thank you! I have 2 eheim cannisters running on the tank, never have cloudy water!
thanks for the reply....It helps
Sinned ya great informational video. God job
Awesome, thank you!!
Very informative, just changing back to cichlids. You’re fish swim around quite calmly. Did you start out with mature fish or juveniles?
really good set up who put thumbs down and why
Bert Ramsay just usual winey ass types who think keeping fish in small tanks is cruel...or feel the unjustified need to be an authority in the fish keeping hobby.
I'm assuming when he said you only have to clean your canister filter when the flow rate decreases or every 6 to 8 months. I honestly don't know what he meant by this comment, there is no way the foam and such inside the canister would be fine for that long, unless he meant cleaning out the whole inside of the canister but I don't know he never specified 🤷🏼♂️.
nice tank enjoyed your video
is that cichlid of second picture aggresive which is in yellow color
Good video
Awesome 👍 I’ll be starting my 55 Gallon Mbuna cichlid hopefully very soon, are they mix male & female in your tank? I just need to gather more info about cichlid & get rid of my koi fish in my 55 Gallon right now.
What fish you got in there? What stocking recommendations do you have for a 75 gallon Mbuna tank?
Look very calm and out and about. Great job
Great video....Thanks
I love the the atomic rooster's music at the beginning! ;)
great looking tank!! whats your thoughts on the amount of mbunas in a 55gallon with a cascade 1000 canister filter?
I know this is an old video but it is super super helpful!
I'm not new to the hobby, (I've kept freshwater fish for over 12 years) but I'm currently in the process of setting up my first EVER African Cichlid tank... and Yes it will be Mbunas!
I have everything ready to start setting up, but this will be my first time keeping fish that require a PH above 6 lol. And I never have really learned the science/equipment/process of keeping a consistent high PH. I need to because the water in my era stays right around 5.5 to 6. So in my inexperience, jumping all to way to needing 8 to 9 ph lvl sound like a lot! And since you didn't talk about it much in the video... I was wondering if you have any advice on how you've done it with your Mbunas.
Would really appreciate it if you happen to see this comment, and help a fellow fish keeping enthusiast out💯 Thx
Golden Domer you can use crushed coral or aragonite substrate. That will help raise pH
@@jakedow4641 Thanks for the suggestion... I actually figured out my PH problem and I'm ready for the Mbunas. I've got the tank all set up... just giving it 3 weeks with the system running before I get my fish. But yesterday my canister filter had a leak so I had to stop everything and figure that out lol. But yea now I'm onto the case of trying to finish getting the tank ready. One of the things I was to do is find a good wacemaker and attachments for my filter to create good surface agitation so I don't have to get a sponge filter to help with getting oxygen into the tank.
I started with a 20 gallon tank with some community fish and then a 35 gallon cube tank then a 60 gallon tank with some cichlids and about 1 month ago a 75 gallon tank i I put my African cichlids there and the community fish I just put them in the 60 gallon Cube
I dont change my water more than once a month. Will that be a problem? Because I do not see any problem except a few algea might grow but very easy to clean.
Once a week seems to me too iften for such a big aquarium. Maybe you can share more of your knowledge about what could happen if I didnt change the water that often?
Thank you for the info
Love the photos.
How about ‘live rock’ as an option? It helps biofiltration.
I have the same Marineland 75 gallon. Do you think I would be safe placing 300 lbs of rock into it? I'll have light diffuser plastic egg crate under it as well
Are those ocean rocks? Where did you get those?? I've been looking for those all over the place!
What species are the dark blue cichlids?
Can you paint the glass while it’s already set up with fish in it?
I don't see why not as long as you have enough space to get the roller or brush back there:)
I just setup a 75g male peacock/hap tank...I have river rocks but man I love the rocks you have in there..is that lava rocks if not pls let me know what type of rocks those are..nice tank
I am using lava rock, thanks for watching!
Can you tell me where you purchased those lava rocks?
love your tank bro been trying to find some of that lava rock for a long time is there any other kind of rock that would stack up like that? I have a 150 gal and in the process of redoing my hardscape
Thanks for the comment. One type of rock that I think looks really nice and can also be stacked is lace rock, although, I've never been able to find any in my area. The best advice is to take a stroll through your local landscaping supply store and get some ideas for your tank, rock is usually pretty reasonably priced as well, much better than at the pet store!
Good Luck!
Love your tank. It is exactly what I’m looking to do. How much rock did you use? And chance we can see a pic from the side? Thanks so much
Thanks for the comment David, it's quite a bit of rock I have but not sure how much or the weight of it all. This is an older video, if you search my channel you will find newer videos with this rock in my 120 gallon. Still use it after all this time.
Finesse Aquatics I really enjoy following your channel. Keep up the good work and inspiration
Awesome bro n man got some views on this one. Congrats
Thanks Fishman! appreciate you stopping by my friend!
I use black plasti dip in a spray can for my backgrounds. Spray about 6 thin coats on allows you to peel it off if you want to down the road. Say for a teardown and you want to switch to a blue background.
Nice tip, thanks for watching.
Ahhhh! True. Still have a can left from doing my rims. Going to try this on the back side of my tank.
Mo
My mbunas keep hiding behind / under rock caves. How did you manage the, to swim freely in the mid top tier ?
Thanks for the question, I would say keeping the tank heavily stocked and having lots of females for each species really helps to keep these guys comfortable and tolerant of each other. Hope this helps, thanks for watching!
@@robOzwrld I believe they are about 2" and not able to be sexed yet. But I will keep this point in mind. Thank you.
Good review mate very informative, I’m looking at getting a 75G or as we would say here 300 Litres. I’m looking at practically the same setup except I’ll be using one 2217 & a wavemaker possibility supplementing it with a sponge filter also. I’ll be doing Mbuna too how many are you holding in yours I couldn’t get a count thanks again.
Sorry Ben I don't recall exactly how many I had this is an older video. I'm going to say around 35-40 fish. Thanks for watching and good luck with your setup.