Mbuna Fry Grow Out Tank (38 gallons) Lake Malawi fish!

[rednight0985]

I don't want to seem like an idiot,but would please mind telling me the difference between a male and female orange blotch? Thanks!

[Luvbeags]

@rednight0985 No question is a silly question. It depends on which species of fish you have. These are labeotropheus trewavasae, and they are easy to tell apart, the males are blue with bright orange fins and the females are orange blotch (orange blotch is simply a color, not a species of fish)

Hope this helps :)

[rednight0985]

@Luvbeags All this time I thought that an orange blotch was a species :p Thank you so much!

[horse7gurl]

hello

i would like to say how beautiful your tanks are :) and i was wondering, my demasoni (malawi or mbuna) the blue ones, how come they wont grow? i have them in a 10 gallon tank like yours and i have about 20 fish. they are the size of your fry's. i feed them a lot. whats the problem?

[oscarfight]

how u do raise the african cichilds?! i have 2 female african cichilds i think its malawi color. i think. so.. should i buy same type male or any type male african cichilds???

[vanished88]

what type of grating is that you lined the tank with and where can i purchase some?

[Luvbeags]

@vanished88

Lowes

go to the lighting department, it is recessed lighting material, I think LOL

It is called "eggcrate"

Hope this helps :)

[vanished88]

@Luvbeags Thanks, I will be setting up my Mbuna tank in a few weeks when i move = )

[metcalfe87]

Sweet.

[Luvbeags]

Thank you metcalfe87

:)

Appreciate that

[Luvbeags]

@metcalfe87

Thank you very much metcalfe

Appreciate it :)

[DavidFrom209]

thanks for the vid, i really enjoyed it

but i had just one question- do you have to clean the sand after it's in the tank? like do you have to run a gravel vacuum over it?

[Luvbeags]

I have really good water flow in this tank, so no, I don't have any poo build up on the sand. I have a canister filter, & when it is time to do a water change I simply snap off my water return line, aim it out a window, drain it down and refill the tank and replace the return line. Not a syphon goes in this tank ;)

I do remove rocks occasionally to catch fish, and poos do build up under rocks sometimes, but once suspended in the water column they are filtered out.

[DavidFrom209]

thanks for the info, i really appreciate your help. just 1 more question=] is it ok to use regular playground sand or should i use something like carribsea?

[Luvbeags]

Play sand sucks. TOO dirty, takes too long to clean, and is too fine, risk sucking it up into filters when fish play in it.

I like pool filter sand, good grain, easy prep for tank because it washes so easy... AND pool filter sand is CHEAP. here about 10 bucks for 50 pounds!

I have caribsea in some tanks, overrated, not that great, had twigs in mine, and some impurities. I like the pool filter sand SO much better!

[DavidFrom209]

do you know where i can buy that? home depot maybe?

[Luvbeags]

I get mine from a local mom and pop pool supply shop. I'm sure the larger stores have it, and if they don't, perhaps they can order it for you. Check out local pool supply shops, most of them carry it.

[octilia2]

were did u get the rocks??

[Luvbeags]

The rock in this tank is MOON ROCK.

I ordered it from a fish magazine. I do NOT recommend it!

It is horrendously messy, and always breaking apart. NASTY ROCK. I'm more pleased with the lace rock I 've got in my other tanks.

[Luvbeags]

Load it up :)

The labs would be an excellent choice. :)

[Luvbeags]

Oh, forgot to add, the labs and peacocks SHOULD not interbreed. Never say never, but you PROBABLY should be fine.

[Luvbeags]

Teddypictures, what size is your tank again?

Yellow labs can be housed with peacocks, NO PROBLEM. Labs, unlike most other mbuna, can handle an omniverous diet (with some meat!)

As long as your tank is big enough, through in some labs, and I'd recommend a good diet, such as NLS (New Life Spectrum) cichlid formula. It is properly balanced to feed both omnivores, and herbivores. :)

Labs like company, make sure you get at least six of them :)

[Luvbeags]

OOPS, I forgot to add, peacocks are NOT pairing fish.

You should have THREE to FIVE females for each male, they are harem fish. If you just have two, the male may end up killing your female. And two males with no other fish to spread out the aggression might also target and kill each other.

[Luvbeags]

Almost all of the Aulonocara species are, well, HUZZIES, and will breed with anything. (Sorry, didn't know of any better way to put it!)

The ONLY way to avoid hybrids is to do a species only tank (ONLY your german reds) OR do an all male tank (so no breeding can happen-- This can be very difficult to get all the males to show good color with no females around to "show off" to, but it can be done.

Hope this info helps :)

[fosterty15]

i got 3 african cichlids im working on my tank now im going to move them into a 30 gallon fish tank

[Luvbeags]

I had mine in a smaller tank, but after about 8 months to a year old I had to overstock and move them all to a ninety gallon. The smaller tank just wasn't enough room for these guys. Most Lake Malawi fish need a four foot (or longer) tank.

Hope this info helps!

[kingkongrichie]

HAHA wow I couldnt imagine 4 wheeling all over the place lol. Yes the library is

great & I do have shows, night clubs, movies

dining right outside my building. BUT YOU

have a large yard that you can 4 wheel around on lol. im so jealous

[Luvbeags]

We don't have so much to do here. The movies are a big adventure LOL!!!

And, to go to a GOOD place to eat ya gotta go like an hour away.

But being able to do a lot outside is what I like to do. I don't think I'd do well in a city. My friend lives in New York and keeps inviting me up for a visit, but I'm just not used to all the people. I'd feel like a fish out of water. But I'll go visit, I've already promised I would :)

You should post vids of your city. Joeabro1 does vids of his city :)

[kingkongrichie]

aw well good luck in the other hobbies. I wish I could do different thins but I live

in downtown chicago on the 35th floor of a building with no yard lol

[Luvbeags]

Yeah, I pay more attention to the fish in the winter, in the summer we have a retreat and like to go four wheeling and fishing and stuff. So, as the temps warm up OUTSIDE, my inside hobbies give way to the outdoor things :)

It is in the 20's today. You couldn't PAY ME to get on my four wheeler today.

You live in the city! You will NEVER run out of stuff to do. I was in a library in new york once, it was like a block big.

WOW Museums, concerts, plays, you have everything RIGHT THERE. :)

[kingkongrichie]

Luvbeags is my favorite youtube channel right now & I hope to see & learn more from this channel

[Luvbeags]

I assure you, there are others who are much more devoted to this hobby than I am and know much more. MUCH MUCH more.

Have fun, and enjoy yourself. If you stress out or it becomes too much work then it won't be fun anymore. When my tanks become too much work or a hassle I'll probably move on to another hobby, I've got several other hobbies and some are seeming to push the fish out of the way. I really can't promise too many more fish vids, as I'm doing other stuff.

[jbobpastachio]

do u ever get hybrids wen u breed all these fish?

[Luvbeags]

No, not now. I had some trewavasae that bred with anything in the tank but that was LONG before I thought I'd try to raise up some fry. I do NOT like hybrids

I tried to avoid fish that would cross breed, and I make sure to have at least 4-5 females for each male. The males are so "busy" they rarely look at fish out of their species.

In my large tank I have acei, demasoni, yellow labs, and white top hara. None of these species looks alike, and I think that has helped a lot to keep away hybrids.

[Zerstiren]

Hey I have a cichlid tank with a few unknown cichlids could you take a look and try to tell me what they are? Check my channel for the videos Thanks!!

[tcfuturevet]

we have one right down the rroad. i live in northern NJ and we put ours in in may and we just closed ours up yesterday. ours is solar heated :)

[tcfuturevet]

where do you get it from?

[Luvbeags]

A local Pool Supply shop. Don't know if you have any pool supply shops in your area, but we have a bunch. I'm not sure why, since it is pretty cold here and pools are only enjoyed for a couple of months...Unless people are rich and can heat them or have them indoors ;)

I just walk in, tell them I need filter sand, and they even carry it out of the store and put it in my vehicle for me :)

It usually comes in 50 pound bags. I usually pay 7 to 9 (US) dollars for each bag.

[tcfuturevet]

is there a spefic sand you should use... just regular play sand from home depot will work???

[Luvbeags]

Play sand is way too dirty. It will take you forever to clean it.

I use pool filter sand. :) Very easy to clean!!!

[johnschubert2]

how does moon rocks compare to tufa or regular limestone? I just setup my mbuna tank and i used limestone. It was a tad cloudy when I set the rock. Hope it doesn't always cloud during water changes.

[Luvbeags]

I'm not sure what tufa is (sorry!)

but I'd think Limestone would be fine. It will also help buffer your pH, if you have acidic water like me (yes, I keep mbuna and my tap water is pH 6.8 GH 2 degrees, SOFT!-- long story, but I've found a buffer combo, Seachem Cichlid Lake Salts- NOT salt, but minerals, because my water is soft AND Seachem's malawi Buffer, to raise and keep my pH stable.

Hopefully, your pH is already 7.6 to 8.2, most mbuna like this range, with a hardness of 6 to 9 degrees.

[johnschubert2]

what kind of rocks are in the tank in the video? nice tank

[Luvbeags]

They are moon rocks, and they are horrible. They are dirty and dusty when you get them, and they constantly break apart. And, every water change if you move the rocks they put a nasty white suspension/dirt back in the tank for several hours each time the rocks are disturbed. It did this in my tank for a YEAR. :(

I'm not buying them again.

Thanks for the nice comment, it is much appreciated :)

[bolly12345]

Thankyou for taken the time to show us how the pro's do it x

[Luvbeags]

I LOVE setting up new tanks :)

I hope this video helps some people.

Thanks for stopping by :)

Comments are always welcome.

[DanneVolvo]

Very nice video. I had mbunas before, thinking about starting upp a tank again. will see... I just love the happy little frys :) they are the best

[Luvbeags]

Thank you!

I have a very large batch of happy fry, next week they are off to the pet store :)

Time to make room for more :)

My demasoni have a batch about every other month. They are favorites at the pet store, because the male and females are both colored about the same, with very bright light blue with dark bars. They get grumpy though, I can't keep them in my growout tank more than a few months. Otherwise they start fighting. They need big (long) tanks!

thanks again for stopping by!

[Luvbeags]

It is a flexible bubble wand. It makes a wall of bubbles wherever you put it, so you can mold it and bend it around stuff in your tank, or you can have it straight across the back for a wonderful wall of bubbles. The bubbles it creates are very tiny. BUT, because I bury it under my sand, the bubbles appear larger.

I eventually took it out, because the noise from the air pump drove me nuts. I don't mind bubble noises, but the air pump noise was horrible.

[luv4muziq]

what is that white thing with the blue tube on it .....what is it for

[hormoanz]

Oh man, when the scene changed to all those joyful little fishes, and the big font reading "Fry!" with such enthusiasm, I just cracked the biggest smile.

Thank you for this guide! I have just come into possession of a couple of Acei fry; I work at Petsmart and two of our females are holding. I fished out some of the loose ones, contemplated bringing them home, and couldn't resist. :)

[Luvbeags]

Thank You! These fish are proving to be the best hobby ever. Every day I have about 100-200 (depends on how many babies I have) pairs of eyes staring at me from the tanks. I'm up to four tanks now! Watching them grow is very rewarding. Have fun with your acei, they are some of my favorites!

[darkforce42]

hey those filters that go under the sand will the sand mess those up. and what were those thing under the sand makng bubles. srry about so many questions but what are the best filters for a tank with sand. and are they expensive.

[Luvbeags]

You can NOT use undergravel filters with sand. It won't work.

On all my tanks (except my big one) I use a powere filter (like an emperor 400) in combination with a canister filter (like a fluval or a rena filstar)

My big tank I have an overflow and wet/dry filter. They are the best for large tanks, the volume of water they turnover is much larger than that of any power filter OR canister. But they can be a booger to setup and maintain. I'd stick with a power filter/canister combo.

[darkforce42]

where can i get one of those for a 28 gal because i got a topfin 30 it hang on back.

[Luvbeags]

I'd get a Penguin 350 for your 28 gallon. I have one on my 29 gallon and I love it.

[Luvbeags]

You can get Penquin filters at any pet shop or online. I think they are even sold on ebay!

[darkforce42]

lol everythings on ebay.

[darkforce42]

lol everythings on ebay.

[darkforce42]

will that work my 28 gallon is a bow front.

[Luvbeags]

I'm pretty sure, as long as the back is flat like a regular tank you should be OK.

I LOVE bowfronts :)

I don't have any, because mbuna as a rule don't do well in them, and my 29 gallon was given to me as a gift :) So, I'm a "beggar" and you know beggars can't be "choosers" :)

I'll never say no to a new tank!

[darkforce42]

lol i know i love them to all my fish tanks were bow fronts and the back is flat.

[slitnajeans]

back again for another look!

[Luvbeags]

You are welcome anytime :)

Thanks for stopping by!

[darkforce42]

:-)

[darkforce42]

what is dh not ph. because for bolivian ram i need 10 dh.stell srry for all the questions.

[Luvbeags]

You need 10 degrees harness? That seems a little high. dH is the dissolved ions like calcium and magnesium. I do NOT mess with these on my bolivan tank. My water is only 3 dH in this tank. I do not mess with it, because that would mean EVERY water change I would have to match my tank water exactly before adding it as my refill water. No, instead my fish have adjusted to my tap water. Makes my water MORE STABLE because I'm not messing with it, and stability, not a SPECIFIC number, is important.

[darkforce42]

thx

[Luvbeags]

I do have to admit, though, I do alter the pH and GH (dH) and KH of my mbuna tank, but using rocks that alter my pH and keep it high. It is easier to keep high pH hard tanks STABLE than low pH soft water tanks. I do add Seachems Malawi Buffer and Seachem Cichlid lake salts (I purchase these) to my refill water when I do my water changes. Simply because my tap water would be like battery acid to my malawi fish. But it is a pain. If I could just use my tap water that would be great, but I can't.

[darkforce42]

so with a ram tank i would not have to do much when i change the water. i only ask because with a south american cichlid tank i got to add lots of thing with a water change like stress zyme aqua plus neutral regulator and aquarium salt do if i need all these for bolivian ram tank? thanks for the advice it helps alot.

[Luvbeags]

You can continue to add your stress zyme aqua plus, that can't hurt. Also, the neutral regulator WILL help you maintain a stable pH. You just HAVE to remember to use it every water change. I do NOT use aquarium salt in my bolivian ram tank, nor in my mbuna tank. They do not need it. I only use aquarium salt for new additions in my quarantine tank to reduce stress. Healthy robust fish will not need aquarium salt, at least NOT bolivians and NOT mbuna. I use lake salt for mbuna, not really SALT.

[darkforce42]

k thx that means i dont need for my oscar because he a hardy fish.

[Luvbeags]

Is your water higher than 10 degrees hardness???

If it were lower I wouldn't worry about it for Bolivians.

[darkforce42]

no its about 8 do u know how to lower it. my oscar semes fine with it tho. dont wary im not puting oscar and ram in same tank i got anoth tank for ram.

[Luvbeags]

Don't bother with lowering it, your Bolivians will do fine with a dH of 8.

You can lower it using reverse osmosis water at your water changes, but I wouldn't recommend it. You can also use peat moss in your filters to lower it, but again, I would NOT recommend any of these changes. Your bolivians will do fine in your tap water.

[darkforce42]

can i use sand for a boliian ram or jd tank

[Luvbeags]

Yes, you can use pool filter sand in ANY tank, it is inert and will not alter your pH.

I think a lot of fish prefer sand over gravel.

Just remember to not have airstones near the intakes of your filters, if you are using hang on back power filters sand can damage them if it gets in them. I use power filters on many tanks and I've not have any problems, but know of others who have because they aren't careful to keep sand out of their filters.

[darkforce42]

where can i get a filter like your for my fish tank so my sand dont mess it up

[Luvbeags]

I have a rena filstar XP2 and an aquaclear 50 on this tank. Both can get messed up from the sand, but it is less likely for a canister (the XP2) to get messed up as bad because the water is filtered before it gets to the impeller. In the aquaclear and most other hang on the tank styles, the water goes through the impeller before it is filtered. I'm just careful NOT to let sand get in mine. It isn't the filter, it is how careful you are keepin the sand out. I don't have any "sand proof" filters.

[darkforce42]

will it work if i make my filter extension shorter so the sand is farther away?

[Luvbeags]

Yes, and I also stack rocks or slate under the intakes so there is no way sand will get sucked up.

Using slate is working best in my bolivian ram tank, because I can keep the long extensions on my intake tubes without worrying about sand getting sucked up.

[darkforce42]

thx for the advice. srry about so many questions but where u get slate and is it cheep or expensive? bye the way all your vids are awsome.

[Luvbeags]

I purchased my slate from the local fish store. (all the rocks and plants in my tanks came from the fish store)

I'm paranoid about bringing in stuff from the yard and putting it in my tank. Even though I did buy river rocks once at Lowes home supply. It was a mistake, they took FOREVER to clean and then they looked ugly.

And, again, my pool filter sand comes from the pool supply house :)

[darkforce42]

thx u awsome.

[darkforce42]

u said that tank was 38 gall and is it expensive to raise lake mowie fish and where u get and how big should yor tank be i got a 55gal i might get a 75.

[Luvbeags]

38 gallon is too small for malawi fish.

I use it to grow up my babies to about 1 inch long. These fish grow up to 8 inches, so they need a much larger tank than a 38 gallon. This tank is used for fry only :)

These are not expensive fish. They cost as adults around 10-15 dollars each, and they live for up to 10 years, some I've heard even 12-15 years! My oldest fish is 4, I started keeping malawi fish 4 years ago :)

[Luvbeags]

oops, I meant they cost 10 to 15 dollars each for subadults. they sell the adults at a local fish store here for 40-60.

But, since most reach adult size by a year or two of age, it is cheaper to buy babies and raise them up yourself.

[darkforce42]

u said that tank was 38 gall and is it expensive to raise lake mowie fish and where u get and how big should yor tank be i got a 55gal i might get a 75.

[tcfuturevet]

Can i keep the fry in with the parents so they raise the fry or do i have take out the fry or put the mom in her own tank with fry?

[Luvbeags]

It depends on which species of cichlids you have. My mbuna will eat fry, so I have to separate them from the parents. Male mbuna have harems, they do not pair off with just one female, and they are horrible father fish, they don't help raise the fry at all.

There are some other cichlids, like some south american species, where both parents guard and raise the fry. So, it really depends on what species of fish you have :)

If I keep parents with fry they commit infantcide, & I have no fry left.

[slitnajeans]

good video!

[Luvbeags]

Thank you. I think a lot of the fun of owning fish tanks is setting up new ones.

I'm addicted. Our house now has four fish tanks. :)

[05rentonj]

that tank is the best iv seen iv got a 65 litter tank it's my 1st tank i will do a vid on it soon. when you put all the hard work into that you just feal grate i did haha keep it up looking good

[Luvbeags]

Send me a link or a video response when you are up and running.

The only thing I like watching better than my fish are MORE fish :)

[tutor4011]

good vidio

[Luvbeags]

Thank you Tutor

[pghHunter]

cool.what do you do with all those full grown african chiclids?

[Luvbeags]

I take them to the local fish store and trade them in for store credit. That way, I can get credit for fish food, and supplies :)

[pghHunter]

oh.thats smart.

[jonerez]

Yes. Ive been keeping fish since i was about thirteen :P

I got my Aunty into it, who is 65 years old.

I just recieved a new 200l aquarium, and im setting it up currently to be a cichlid tank.

Its got a flurval 300 external filter, which was very good for its price.

Yes i must admit, fishkeeping is a very rewarding hobby.

Anyway i wont go on! Have a merry Christmas!

[jonerez]

Lol, i only just realised after i posted.

How dumb of me ;o

I was looknig at your other videos.

And the condition of your tanks fascinated me.

You are one of the best fishkeepers i have seen in years! Keep up the good work.

[Luvbeags]

Thanks! I had fish tanks growing up, and now as an adult it is one of my (many) hobbies.

It is a very wonderful hobby!

I love learning about the fish, their natural habitat etc. Then I try to recreate the natural look of the habitat in the tanks.GREAT FUN. I've even got my husband into it! Thanks so much, it is nice to have hard work rewarded (and also nice to know others like you KNOW how hard and dedicated one must be to keep up on the maintenance of the tanks) :)

[jonerez]

Looks bigger than a 10 gal!

Very pretty though.

[Luvbeags]

It is 38 gallon. I have a ten gallon newborn fry ten gallon. I can't grow out mbuna in a ten gallon for too long. They grow too fast.

;)

[kjs5600]

great video... what is the name of the music playing in the bkgd

[Luvbeags]

Thank you.

That is ROCK IT

By Herbie Hancock

Glad you liked the video :)

[stormypussy]

thats a nice setup clean and simple and i love the music !!

[nightstarone]

Oh thats not real far from here good little weekend drive lol.. Luvbeaqs Got right this time sorry..

[nightstarone]

lol  live South Carolina where are you?? Luvbags

[Luvbeags]

Delaware. The first state. A "place to be somebody"

LOL. We have a lot of catch phrases for a state so small. And I'm LuvBeags, not bags. Even though I do love handbags... I guess I could be LOVE BAGS. I have a handbag for every outfit... hummm.

[nightstarone]

I wish I could I see it ..live

[Luvbeags]

EEK. Then you would know where I live and you might be an axe wheeling homicidal maniac. (Or, I might be)

Or you could be one of those people that leaves dead things on the porch (I saw that in a movie once.)

I'm way to paranoid.

[DymondGeezer1]

thanks very much and buy the way i would love to have all the fish and tanks you have

[Luvbeags]

Thank you (blush) It is quite a wonderful hobby :)

[DymondGeezer1]

hiya my bubble jet is ryt next to my intake tube is that bad and why please reply

[Luvbeags]

You don't want to pull air into your intake tubes. It will pull air into your filter and depending what kind of filter you have, it can ruin your impeller over time. If it isn't a filter that is destroyed by the bubbles, it will make your filters VERY noisy.

If no bubbles are going in the uptake, I wouldn't worry about it. :)

[Luvbeags]

I'm making money on these little guys. Well, Kind of. I get credit at the fish store for supplies. So, my hobby basically pays for itself!

Oh, yeah, that cleaning sand is a booger. The pool filter sand isn't as dirty as some, but oh, the cleaning!!! 200 lbs! Your back must have been aching!

[Jessica62106]

oh yea, and dosn't cleaning out sand sux! I had to clean 200lbs when i set up my 150gal! Took forever!

[Jessica62106]

sorry, i didn't notice before about your fry tank.. ;)

great job, you fry are growning beautifully! Nice choice in going with the Rena canister. :) looks like your gonna have to get a bigger tank though..... or you can always make some $

[Luvbeags]

Visitherm Stealth :)

[KuroshioKaze]

btw,, what kind of heater do you use, i HATE the brand i use, i had one really good one that was given to me, but it died, it was like, 13 years old though, and im not sure they make that brand anymore, anyway, just wondering :)

[BRCS225]

Will you be my half mom i LOVE FISH and have lake malawian fish

[Luvbeags]

I wish I had kids to share my hobbies! I think that is the best comment I've ever got (Except watch your mouth young man LOL-- just kidding.) We can't have kids :( but my own mom was really cool. She had cool hobbies she passed down to me :) For example, my mom taught me to catch nightcrawler worms to go fishing. Guess that is why I grew up not to be a "girly girl"

Hubby and I have thought of adopting kids. We really have a lot of love and cool stuff like our hobbies to share.

[ryankrista666]

i wish i had a mom into fish like her thats some cool shit

[Luvbeags]

Yeah, that part was pretty boring... I can't even stand to watch that part. Seems like some editing is in order, huh? Thanks for the comment though! :)

[evanescence345]

wow. nice set up. but i think u washed the sand a little too much.

[Sportiboy]

Dropping in to watch and say hi! (((Hugs))), SB

[Luvbeags]

Howdy Sportiboy, I'm heading to your new site today :)

Thanks for dropping by today. (((HUGS)))

[york124]

nice vocab