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I'm trying to figure out everything I'll need for a 150g tang. So far, I'm planning on having Lamprologus stappersi, Julidochromis transcriptus, and Altolamprologus calvus. Any other interesting species that would mix with these would be nice to know.

What kind of structure and substrate will I need? Also, what type of easy to keep plants could I put in with them?

My GH-22 KH-13 and PH-7.4 Do I need any buffering?

You need lots of Rocks & some Sand, as a substrate.
As Plants, you can go with some Anubias attached to the Rocks.


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You'll want a fair bit of rockwork. Because the tank is 18" front to back you could conceivably run rocks along the whole back, but consider: the closer the Julies and calvus are to the stapps, the greater the chance they'll harass them. If you create two distinct rock piles (one for the Julies, one for the calvus) on one side of the tank and leave sand space between those piles and the shell areas, you'll have better luck.

Sand is important for the stapps (1-2" but for plants you'd be smart to keep a nice gravel, say 3mm, in certain areas of the tank - in the back, by the rocks, perhaps even in containers of some kind to slow down/prevent the eventual, inevitable mixing of sand and gravel. Then you can look into vals, which add height quickly and easily, crypts, which are lovely and don't demand much light, and so on. Then you can have anubias, mosses, and java ferns to tie to the rocks. Also, a number of small grassy plants will grow in sand quite well - try dwarf sag or better yet chain sword if your light levels aren't great. The vals may also be coerced to grow in sand if it's a bit deeper in the back.

You'll need shells, of course; escargot shells and whale eye shells (try eBay) are the two best I've found so far, and both work equally well.

Stapps wash out to muddy on dark sand; I'd stick to light brown/beige. White works, too.


Have you considered Cyprichromis? If this tank (sure to be lovely and fun, by the way) is missing anything, it's a nice big school of Cyps for the openwater. They're wonderful! One of my females just released some fry, which is always a nice reminder of why I like these guys, but they'd be a wonderful species even if they were all sterile. A lovely, lovely fish.

-Molly
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I just want to cast my vote for a huge school of Cyprichromis like Littlemousling said. personally, the Cyprichromis leptosoma 'blue orchid' are my favorite, but even the most common leptosoma 'utinta' are gorgeous and worth having a school of around 20.

The Cyprichromis are the missing link. I'll have a school, but I don't know how many I should I have. Also, how many of the other cichlids should I have?

The tank dimensions are irregular for a 150- 48x30x24. Will this affect any planning?

My, that is irregular! Hmm. Well, stick to non-jumbo Cyps, for one thing (Bulu Point is a particular favorite of mine). In this casem assuming 30" is the front-to-back measurement, you have much more freedom about having rocks along the back wall. Just don't extend them across the whole back to give the stapps a chance at having their own private sand space.

Start with 6 to 10 stapps, Julies, and calvus, perhaps fewer of the rockdwellers than the shellies. I'd add the shellies and the Cyps first (after a serious fishless cycle, of course) if you have that option - otherwise, just add them all at once.

Cyps - at least 8, but you'll enjoy the heck out of them if you have a dozen or more. I have 14 and know the tank will be even better as the fry grow up.

-Molly
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The dimensions were LxHxW. Also, I've never had a fishless cycle, so I need some advice. Would I use Bio spira, if so how much and how often, and so on. The advice will be greatly appreciated thanks for all the info everyone and especially LittleMousling, the advice has helped tremendously.
-Nick

Last edited by nickman713 at 26-Dec-2005 15:30

Actually, in a fishless cycle you add ammonia. Google "fishless cycle" - you'll get lots of hits. But when you add the fish, Biospira would be a good addition.

-Molly
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