does my setup suit cichlids well

[photobug]

I'm holding off on adding cichlids for now since I'm heading out on vacation soon. My tank's fully cycled, but I'm dealing with a higher pH than I'd like at the moment. I've got the Malawi buffer and cichlid salt on hand, though. Before introducing any cichlids, I'll definitely be removing all the existing fish - that's a given. Would appreciate some feedback on my setup, by the way. It's a 65-gallon tank, 3' x 18" x 2' in size.

[floriks]

Your tank does look a bit unstable, to be honest. I'd be concerned about it tipping over, especially with cichlids being such active swimmers. Also, I think you could add more rocks to create some hiding places and visual interest. Just make sure they're secure and won't topple over when the fish start knocking around.

[photobug]

I've got a couple of the top rocks that are a little unstable, how do you guys secure them so they don't get knocked over by the fish, I don't want any accidents happening in my tank.

[willie32]

To prevent topples, arrange the rocks like they'd settle naturally in a river. Think about how they'd end up if water flowed over them - they'd likely land on one side.

Place the large, heavy ones at the base and the thinner ones towards the top. That way, if the thinner rocks do fall, the damage will be minimal.

[gildon]

If you want to secure those rocks, consider taking them out and letting them dry before using aquarium-safe silicone to glue them together. I've seen it done before - a friend of mine created this really cool slate wall using the same method.

[waveborn]

I'm with the others on the rockwork, it's a bit sparse and unstable. Those caves don't need to be massive, in fact, the fish love squeezing into tight spots. But here's the thing, they'll dig around the base of everything and undermine your plans.

Take a look at some Mbuna tank setups online, you'll see what I mean. It's all about stacking odd-shaped rocks, big at the bottom, small at the top, with tight spacing. Stability is key, as the fish will move things around if they can.

As for gluing the rocks together, I'm not a fan. It might seem like a solution, but trust me, it'll cause more problems down the line.

[photobug]

I reworked the layout, planning to add a lot more rocks soon. Currently, it's stable, but I'm unsure - should the caves be closed off at the back or left open? Also, what's the ideal height for them? My main challenge is getting the second-level rocks to stay stable.

[waveborn]

I'm holding off on adding cichlids for now since I'm heading out on vacation soon. My tank's fully cycled, but I'm dealing with a higher pH than I'd like at the moment. I've got the Malawi buffer and cichlid salt on hand, though. Before introducing any cichlids, I'll definitely be removing all the existing fish - that's a given. Would appreciate some feedback on my setup, by the way. It's a 65-gallon tank, 3' x 18" x 2' in size.

Stability is key, don't worry about open or closed caves, it's not a big deal. I rearrange my rocks every couple of weeks and I've gotten a feel for how they fit together. If you can put your finger on a rock and it wobbles, it's not stable enough. You'll figure it out, just mix up the shapes, round, flat, and some big ones with weird shapes. The more rocks you have, the better. It's all about friction and wedging them in place. Don't build too high until you find the right balance. Just pay attention and you'll be fine. Seriously, Google Mbuna tank, you'll see how many different designs work.

[photobug]

I've made some progress, definitely need more rocks though. I started working on the cave on the back wall, was a bit worried my airstone would break but it's still bubbling away fine. Just about to post a pic so you can see how it's coming along.

[photobug]

I've made some progress - how's it looking now. I'm still planning to get even more rocks after I get back from vacation, gonna keep working on it.