DIY Rock Cichlid Aquariums

The mbuna, or rock dwelling cichlids, of Lake Malawi are highly territorial. An aquarium housing these species should contain a large amount of rocks carefully positioned to create as many hiding places as possible. The aquarium for rock dwelling cichlids does not require many plants, as few true plants grow in Lake Malawi. By offering the mbuna cichlids sufficient privacy, an aquarist can keep a number of these attractive fish together despite their belligerent temperaments.

Things You'll Need

  • 75-gallon aquarium, including light source
  • Crushed oyster shell or coral
  • Test kit to read a pH range between 7.5 and 8.8
  • Submersible power head
  • Canister filter incorporating mechanical, chemical and biological filter compartments
  • Large number of rocks
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Position an aquarium with a 75-gallon capacity on a sturdy and level stand. Place the tank in a draft-free location in the house away from direct sunlight to prevent the growth of unwanted algae.

    • 2

      Place crushed oyster shell or coral in the aquarium as a substrate. This material leeches minerals into the water, which elevate the pH into the alkali range.

    • 3

      Place crushed coral in the biological compartment of the canister filter or sump, if you are using one, to adjust the pH between 7.5 and 8.8; check the level with a test kit. The sump is a container positioned below the main aquarium and connected to it via tubing.

    • 4

      Adjust the thermostat on the aquarium heater to between 76 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the heater in the aquarium, and secure it to the back glass pane using the adhesive suction cups.

    • 5

      Position a submersible power head in the aquarium. Use adhesive suction cups to hold this pump against the rear pane of the aquarium. A power head circulates water and stirs up detritus and debris taken in by the canister filter.

    • 6

      Install a canister filter on the aquarium. Check to ensure the canister filter is large enough to include mechanical, chemical and biological filter material.

    • 7

      Use a high-quality, porous biological filter material. Porous materials allow aerobic bacteria to grow over the outer surface, which receives high amounts of oxygen, while anaerobic bacteria, which require an oxygen depleted environment, thrive inside the pores. The combination of these bacteria types converts toxic metabolic waste products into harmless substances.

    • 8

      Place filter floss or a piece of filter mat into the mechanical filter compartment to trap detritus and debris physically.

    • 9

      Place activated carbon into the chemical filter compartment to remove toxins from the water.

    • 10

      Fill the aquarium with rock to create as many territories as possible. The mbuna cichlids are territorial rock dwellers and require the privacy of caves and other hideaways.