NEW 180 GALLON MBUNA AQUARIUM | The ULTIMATE Mbuna Cichlid Tank Setup!

Рет қаралды 19,592

9 ай бұрын

Today's video is the installation of my new 180 Gallon Mbuna Aquarium, a Mbuna cichlid tank setup. This aquarium was custom made and it completes my fish room wall with 12 total feet of Lake Malawi African cichlid aquariums!
Mbuna cichlids are from Lake Malawi, and they prefer plenty of rockwork to swim in and around. They would eat/destroy any live plants, so that's why it's purely a rock scape here. They are extremely active cichlids, and they can be aggressive. Stocking mbuna in high numbers is one strategy to mitigating aggression with this species.
I also tried out a new beautiful 3D background from Aqua Decor. Couldn't be happier with the look of the background and rocks. It really brings the tank to life (and also hides heaters/intakes!)
- Aqua Decor: aquadecorbackgrounds.com/
- Custom Aquariums: www.customaquariums.com/
If you're interested in any of the products and equipment used in this aquarium build, check out the affiliate links below.
Filters/Equipment
- Carib Sea Aragonite Sand - amzn.to/3HhDP0P
- Sicce Whale 500 Canister - amzn.to/3ugmocB
- Sicce XStream Wavemaker: amzn.to/3S2dRUG
- Sicce Ultra Zero Pump: amzn.to/3ClfENH
- Python Water Changer: amzn.to/3a17dbb
- AI Prime Lights - amzn.to/35yWwA8
Chemicals
- Chemi-Pure Blue - amzn.to/3bgsVMd
- Seachem Prime: geni.us/iys7T
- Fritz Glass/Acrylic Cleaner: geni.us/uvmwK8
Food
- Xtreme Krill Flakes - geni.us/iTAWsN
- Xtreme Big Fella Pellets - geni.us/9Cra
- Xtreme Nice Pellets - geni.us/6ADcc
Thanks for watching, and we'll see you next week!

Пікірлер: 133

@ComedicCats 9 ай бұрын

In addition to showing us all of your wonderful tanks and beautiful fish, I love the fact that your channel reveals how close you guys are to each other. Family is everything. Thank you!

@Nikos_aquatics 9 ай бұрын

As per usual, aqua decor & Mbunas make me wetter then water changes✌🏾😁

@WatsonsAquatics 9 ай бұрын

I was so excited to see you finally show everyone this tank! Luckily got a sneak peak of it! I bet he’s excited to continuously stock this tank!

@johnjr47 9 ай бұрын

Congrats on your Brand New Custom Aquarium Tank !!!

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@dennispeleg7843 9 ай бұрын

Really jealous. Lol. Tank looks awesome

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Appreciate it!

@aquarium.talktv 9 ай бұрын

Dope video guys!!!

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks, Gordon!

@jasonmaceyko1902 9 ай бұрын

Once again....an amazing tank setup.

@chillwill7s60 9 ай бұрын

Look amazing, good choice with the mbuna, they don't get enough credit, people lean more toward the peacocks. I'm loving the ultimate Mbuna tank. 👍👍

@Amarok_Aquatics 9 ай бұрын

Tank looks dope! Throw in some Maison Reefs too, they are my favorite Mbunas

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you! Definitely thinking about that!

@michaelstruyf8641 9 ай бұрын

I love it.. amazing background with some beautifull mbuna

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks, appreciate it!

@Jerry-lj3cf 9 ай бұрын

Great job on the new tank and your in the game with the best fish and tanks. I am excited to see more as time goes on 😊.

@80s_monsterkid28 9 ай бұрын

Quinn is not there? How shocking. He probably helps out more when he’s not there.😂😂 Jk I know he does allot behind the scenes, but love teasing. Lol

@jeromehorn7333 9 ай бұрын

One of my regrets in the hobby is tearing down a 125 gallon mbuna tank. Mbuna look so great in a long tank.

@jeremymoore450 9 ай бұрын

Dang that tank looks awesome. If and when ever I finally get a big tank I am thinking about a 180 gal it just seems the perfect size and the right gallons to house some fish that I want to get. Beautiful setup can’t wait to see the next MBUNA you’re going to add. Enjoy the fish.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks Jeremy! 180 is an awesome size. Opens a lot of doors for stocking options 👍🏻

@maximusaquatics7835 9 ай бұрын

Incredible setup guys!! Custom Aquariums makes the best tanks hands down. The Aqua Decor is amazing & looks incredibly natural. Mad props for a stunning setup. Fishkeeper goals for sure. 💯 💯

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Really appreciate that!

@FloodXL 9 ай бұрын

Absolutely awesome. All the way around. Going to be insane when stocked down the road.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Can't wait!

@razinfishes1918 9 ай бұрын

Another awesome custom aquarium. Definitely a different setup with those little guys in a big tank. I think once you have it fully stocked it will be a show stopper

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you, can’t wait to add more. Already have a big group in the 40 waiting to go in!

@kashifkashu7899 9 ай бұрын

So much of hardwork but its worth it the tank is looking amazing...congrats brother Alec on the new tank🎉🎉🎉..i hope these fishes also grow and be healthy just like the predator tank.❤

@rickvegastar1833 9 ай бұрын

This tank looks awesome! Really glad you are doing all Mbuna

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you, I'm excited!

@SlimTim_dirty_aquatics 9 ай бұрын

Fired Up Aquarium!!! I’ll be relocating my 90 gallon to its new home this weekend. Definitely keeping all the bacteria seated filter media, also have Stability.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you! Best of luck with the move!

@edpereira1908 9 ай бұрын

Awesome setup! Love the background and rocks. Would love to see a video on how the filter intakes and outlets work with the background as far as flow goes. My Mbuna's love to dig pits in the sand creating poop pits that even with my wavemaker and FX6 don't always clear it.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

I’ll try to show that in the next video. The intakes are behind the background. There’s some room for water flow to them

@baller4life7000 8 ай бұрын

Yes, a video on the intakes and outtakes for this tank setup would be really helpful!

@jerryhigg 9 ай бұрын

Friggen Gorgeous ❤ Great Job Guys ❤ 👍 🐠 ❤😊

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

@SierraJenson4 9 ай бұрын

Your aquariums are always amazing looking

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@wiser84 9 ай бұрын

Awesome love it

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@CichlidFanatic 8 ай бұрын

The tank looks amazing! Great work

@CichlidBros 8 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@zsworld6609 9 ай бұрын

dream tank! add some Saulosi from Imperial tropicals. They're absolutely my favorite

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Might do Saulosi in the 40 after quarantining a few other groups in there first

@valleyLaw 9 ай бұрын

So nice!!!

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks!!

@reggie2803 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the setup ideas. I just got my 180 and I love the rocks you set up in your tank.

@Jake-ur2wf 8 ай бұрын

Really happy for you guys! Super jealous of how many awesome setups you have.

@CichlidBros 8 ай бұрын

Thanks so much!

@carltalley5598 9 ай бұрын

By the way, your tanks and cichlids are gorgeous...

@cmammen 9 ай бұрын

For an oddball mbuna check out Textilus Cichlids. Pretty and very laid-back plus adds a little shimmer to the tank. Congrats on the new tank and the video is fantastic

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Noted!

@jasono4735 9 ай бұрын

Great video. I am so excited to see this tank mature!

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks, can't wait to show it more!

@ruthwalker5179 9 ай бұрын

I really that that new background. I will definitely try that for my next tank!

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Awesome

@markhamilton2329 9 ай бұрын

You lucky person, tank looks amazing.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@GC_Aquariums 9 ай бұрын

Looks awesome! I think you should go for a group of Pseudotropheus Acei (Ngara) the white tail variety not the yellow tail you see a lot. Excited to see how this tank develops over time.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! Might be on the shortlist of additions

@chrisrosa9664 9 ай бұрын

Looks amazing and you just need some red top Hongis to throw some red in that bad boy 💯

@javedkhan-yv5nm 9 ай бұрын

Congratulations 🎊 for new aquarium lots of love frm india 🇮🇳

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@danielcarlton3553 9 ай бұрын

Reminds me of when I owned a 180. I started out with 8 mbuna and never bought another one. When I had to sell the tank I had 58 mbuna in the tank, lol. I will say that the mbuna were much less aggressive in that 180 than in smaller tanks I have kept them in. More space does curb their aggressive behavior.

@rustyfan89 9 ай бұрын

You should have waited a couple of months, it’s usually snowing when one of you guys gets a new tank!

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Haha, seriously!

@TheCottonman 9 ай бұрын

Nyce... I got 4 tanks, the biggest being a 40 Breeder, but I hope to get to that level of tanks you guys have... Make your videos longer please... Great video and amazing tank... Cheers bros... 🍻😎🤙

@ianm659 9 ай бұрын

Awesome setup! Msobo magunga males are my favorite mbuna. Some yellow tail acei or white labs might be cool additions

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

They're becoming mine as well. Love acei too!

@KARTHICKJAYASHELAN 9 ай бұрын

Happy new fish keeping bros

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@PriceTagAquariums 9 ай бұрын

Hey Bros! I just got my Aquadecor 3d background for my tank! I also got the same sinking rocks as well. I didn't get the magnetic background, just the regular silicone 3d. .but nonetheless, I'm really excited to install it. Your tank looks really awesome! Your channel gives me so much inspiration! Thanks, bros!

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

That’s awesome! Hope you enjoy, and thanks for watching!

@PriceTagAquariums 9 ай бұрын

@@CichlidBros You're welcome!

@beat_2008 9 ай бұрын

Im a crazy cichlid keeper but im worried about your bill but the tank looks amazing. Only thing I would recommend is to add a black gravel or sand substrate instead of a white color because I find it more cleaner looking than a white one because you can see all the dirt on the substrate. Also Maylandia species wil look good as well

@RyanDahn 9 ай бұрын

You should add an electric blue crayfish in that 180 with the Mbuna. They’re fast enough to swim away if the crayfish gets feisty. They’re small enough that they won’t eat the crayfish if the fish get feisty!

@KawaiiFishKeepers 9 ай бұрын

👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

@Palmer2010 9 ай бұрын

I love you KZfaq channel Mr Holler is the best

@ProVisionColor 9 ай бұрын

Looks fantastic! Where’d you hide the filter intakes? I don’t see them in the video.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! In the back corners behind the background 👍🏻

@DjPosey3 9 ай бұрын

I love it! Cant wait until i can get my 150g mbuna setup.. im currently on a mission of getting 1 of every mbuna species in my 75

@CichlidBros 8 ай бұрын

Awesome, sounds legit!

@mickeysr5817 9 ай бұрын

Great video Father fish would be proud lol

@jeremyyaple8498 7 ай бұрын

I’d love to see how you set up your inputs/outputs and other behind the background equipment placements.

@CichlidBros 7 ай бұрын

I’ll try to show it in my next update!

@jeremyyaple8498 7 ай бұрын

@@CichlidBros Thanks! I’ve got an Aquadecor background 3D G40 coming and I’m curious to see others setups. I’m running 2 FX6s and the Sicce XDC you recommended on my 125 Mbuna. The only real KZfaq fish guy discussion about all this is Kaveman, but his thoughts seem to have evolved and it’s no longer clear. What is clear is that he recommends the wave maker and outputs all in one direction. On his AC tank he has an inputs on either side of the tank behind the background. He recently mentioned he put a wave maker behind his background and I’m wondering how that will work. I’ve also seen several videos and forum discussions about fish killing phosphate levels due to detritus behind the background.

@user-un2pg9hw4o 8 ай бұрын

Love the setup - in addition to the original 4 colonies of fish - what other mbuna would you suggest adding or are you planning on adding ? Thanks - keep up the great work !

@CichlidBros 8 ай бұрын

Thanks! Already added more, just have to edit the video. Added more demasoni and then some individual species

@brianp6180 9 ай бұрын

Awesome job bros! Those filters are pretty small for such a large tank. I think I would have put in 2 FX 6 instead

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! Would've been double the cost to go that route. The Whales are strong for their size

@brianp6180 9 ай бұрын

Makes sense. I have heard good things about the whales. They make excellent products

@leonardlipscomb2163 7 ай бұрын

What do you know about under gravel filters.

@user-wb8eh6lf5n 3 ай бұрын

I wonder what cleanup crew will be used, I have always liked the blue phantom pleco

@user-wb8eh6lf5n 3 ай бұрын

I have been wanting to set something like this up, but I need to hire out to move the tank and stand, one of my choices for a tank I was looking at was a NUVO170 gallon I like the depth, I just don't know how the 3D background would work with the external overflow and the return outlets? The mbuna I would love to try are the swedish redtop hongi

@derrickdouglas944 9 ай бұрын

Dope’

@lboogie738aquatics 8 ай бұрын

Excellent video. What kind of Wavemaker are you using in the 180?

@CichlidBros 8 ай бұрын

Thanks! It’s just a cheap one I found at my local fish store. Might be upgrading it soon

@reggie2803 9 ай бұрын

What model rocks did you order? Can’t find the exact kind on their website. Thanks.

@zenaswatson3388 9 ай бұрын

Mane 🤣 I gotta have me some big fish and to play with . 💯

@norbertthoens3561 9 ай бұрын

Tolles großes Becken mit Versteckmöglichkeiten! Da werden sich die Tiere sicher "wie zu Hause" fühlen ... 😃👍

@user-un2pg9hw4o 7 ай бұрын

One last question, did the arms for mounting come with the lights or did you get separate from AI? Thanks again

@dascudder 9 ай бұрын

Looks great! Will the water sitting in those rocks not go stagnant?

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! Not too worried about it. There are a couple small holes in each rock

@carltalley5598 9 ай бұрын

where did you say you got the background from, also sounds like there are different types you have the magnetic type, right?

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Yep, magnetic. From Aqua Decor

@anthonydaniels4780 9 ай бұрын

Where did you get your allergy scraper?

@mowrybrian8951 9 ай бұрын

got to get a Labeotropheus trewavasae. that's the Mbuna's Mbuna. they have the cool hook nose and one of them is my tank boss.

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Definitely a possibility!

@user-un2pg9hw4o 7 ай бұрын

Setting up a 180 mbuna tank myself, thanks for the inspiration, for lights, did you guys use 2 AI Prime lights? My tank is also 72 x 24 x 24 and wondering if 2 AI Prime would do it…. Also, did you use AI freshwater? Thanks! Awesome tank !

@CichlidBros 7 ай бұрын

The mounting comes separately, but yep and yep!

@dawsonbird1276 2 ай бұрын

Do you put the canister filter intakes behind the background too? I don’t see them

@CichlidBros 2 ай бұрын

Yep 👍🏻

@dawsonbird1276 2 ай бұрын

@@CichlidBros awesome, thanks. Might snag one for my new 180!

@iamOTHER44 9 ай бұрын

About how long do you allow for the bacteria in your aquarium to catch up before feeling comfortable enough to add more fish?

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Probably 3-4 weeks. About the same amount of time for quarantining my new group

@stephenbassett1610 9 ай бұрын

Hi, I have concerns about your choice of filter for this tank, I don't think they will be man enough for Mbuna. I would gone for 2x Oase thermo 850s +,a Fluval Fx6. Good luck Steve uk

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Should be plenty of gph with two Sicce Whales

@boomlightsout 9 ай бұрын

May i ask where you sourced your msobo deeps?

@CichlidBros 8 ай бұрын

Tampa bay cichlids

@boomlightsout 8 ай бұрын

@@CichlidBros thanks. I ended up getting an order from them, great supplier.

@fishyabish9557 9 ай бұрын

Where do you guys buy the foam from?

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

Aqua decor

@williamjamescavejr9423 9 ай бұрын

What kind of light is on that tank?

@CichlidBros 9 ай бұрын

AI Primes

@rhombeus5768 4 ай бұрын

Hi where can i get the background??

@CichlidBros 4 ай бұрын

AquaDecorbackgrounds.com

@MagnaRads 9 ай бұрын

Should have took some frontosa juveniles off my hands

@RochLachapelle 9 ай бұрын

I prefer mbuna there not as aggressive as the peacocks.❤

@decatech5790 9 ай бұрын

Tamatoes

@Palmer2010 9 ай бұрын

Kanye

@kodyallen9121 8 ай бұрын

Cichlid bros , love your guys content , buttt. The real question , which brother is gonna take up the challenge and start a reef tank ? I used to have 4 or 5 different cichlid tanks , Africans , geophagus and uaru, oscars and pikes , a fromtosa colony tank , then I got a 29 gallon reef , two years later , I eventually had no freshwater tanks left, got bored of how easy and basically no brained it was keeping fresh and now I can’t get enough corals , or quirky , smart , impressive reef fish . It’s alot more fun , and soooo many more options . Like freshwater cichlids there’s only so many you can keep till you run out of options . Saltwater though , there’s an endless combination of corals and fish and biotopes you can put together . Plus everytime you eventually have to trim your coral overgrowth back you can profit off the frags , more then you even put into the tank as long as you’re patient and just let them grow

@CichlidBros 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! We love saltwater too, but actually have a ton of cichlids and freshwater setups we want to try out still. each of us have actually done reef tanks from 20-48g sizes. We swapped them out since we have so many freshwater tanks to maintain. Videos of those setups are all on a playlist of ours. Will definitely do saltwater tanks again in the future

@vitociaccio7289 8 ай бұрын

how many are you thinking of adding? don't forget about breeding. i have a 75 gallon mbuna pretty stocked, and i cant add any more myself because they are breeding like crazy. @CichlidBros