I'm going to get a 6-foot tank as the future home of my grown Mbuna sometime in the next 3 months or so. Wooo hoo!! I'm picturing a 72x24x24, which as I read it should be a 180G.

Any other size or shape that would work better?

My species list from the juvie 45G is below. I was initially thinking:

180G:
Lab. Hongi (1M, 1F, plus fry growing out for later)
M. Estherae (1M)
M. Msobo (2M, 4F)
P. Acei (2M, 4F)
P. Socolofi Albino (2M, 1F, plus fry growing out for later)
Syn. Eupterus (1)

Leave in 45G:
Lab. Mbamba (3M, 3F)
P. Greshakei Albino (2 unsexed) (for now, may trade back to LFS)

All the other species listed are "probably hybrids" that I will segregate so I do not put them in a position to breed (or will just spit in the tank if they do). I keep them because they were part of my first "mixed-African tank survivors in an awful LFS" and I've gotten very fond of them. I do want to get some pics and post them for ID here JIC.

Other suggestions for subdividing? Hmmmm

Suggestions for additional species to place or grow into my large tank? If my Yellow Labs keep breeding in my Haps tank I'll grow some of my own up to get the color contrast.

Thanks!

Don

Footprint being the same, i would in a minute decide onthe taller version, 30 tall tank, gives a much bigger viewing window, and a few more gallons of water that the fish do use. The socolofi will race and chase, no big fights in my tank with them, then again not sure on ratio, I have 3. Sounds like you are going real light on stocking, room for a dozen Demasoni in there easy. As for a single estherae? might be a good focal fish in the midst of the blue and white. Not sure if you want to mix lakes, but that tank is screamin for red, thinkin Pundamilia nyererei has some nice varients, and they show up in aquabid all the time. Good luck on your search, I took my time and found my 225 gallon in only 4 months of serious looking on ebay, for a great deal. Not sure where you are located but there was a great deal on a 225 on CF classifieds a bit back in NYC 600 bux tank stand hood IIRC. wabawhat??

A 180 sounds great! I would have a problem with it because my arms aren't long enough to reach the bottom. I checked it out at my lfs - I'd have to get a 125 and still need to stand on a stool to reach the back, which is what I have to do with my 75s. I can't imagine working in a 30" tall tank! I guess you need to use long handled tools or get right in it. Those taller tanks do look nice though.

I feel the same way about my hybrids! I started out with more than I care to admit when I first set up my 29 gallon tank. Blush

With that size of a tank, you could go crazy trying to figure out the best combination of fish to keep. There are so many possibilities. Have fun! roll eyes

Hey Don, I am excited for you and your new soon to arrive tank!

I have always been of the persuasion that longer is better than
taller in a tank! I believe the footprint is more important than the height.

The footprint determines, to a large extent, the amount of stock you
can have, not the height.

Of course, if you are very tall with long arms, then pay no attention
to the man behind this post!

Good luck!

Don Don Don, 180 gallon MBUNA tank :blink: :blink: :blink:

What a waste of beautiful tank space Boo Hooo Boo Hooo Boo Hooo

Now I could make several suggestions but I guess I wont. If I do, everybody starts whining again about "Aliens" blah blah.

However, if I had a tank like that Drooly Drooly Drooly .............

Klaus, I have a bad case of MTS. You'll get me with your aliens one of these days. And I bet they'll be Duboisi -- just love the pattern on those juvies!

I feel like the 5th-credited cast member in a 1950's monster movie or a 1990's slasher flick... you just know the aliens are gonna get me before you finish your popcorn! Now this should be good! Now this should be good! Now this should be good! Now this should be good! Now this should be good!

But for now, will this admission ostracize me from my Malawi friends? worry wart!

Won't ostracize you with me, Don...I regret getting rid of my Tropheus more than anything else we've ever kept, and will have them again one day, and when I'm ready, it will be Klaus I turn to for Help!

Those acei of yours will utilize the top of that tankj! That is what is so great about them!

I think you've got a great combo going there, you just might want to make each of your groups a bit larger to fill the tank well!

Kim

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SHARE SOME PIC'S WITH US Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly Drooly

I'M GOING TO BE WAITING TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A BIG TANK wabawhat??

Best of luck,

hope you enjoy,