6 Foot Malawi Tank Setup

[freddie]

After what seemed like an eternity of waiting, the new tank arrived.

6x2x2 Cabinet tank with sump.

Tank was delivered and installed before lunch. Leaving me the rest of the day to work on the setup.





It's my first time using a sump filter but I've been doing plenty of research over the past few weeks to see how it all works and in which order the media should be arranged.

Decided to start off with bioballs in section 1. Seachem Matrix in section 2 and Crushed coral in section 3. In a few weeks the plan is to move the bioballs up into the overflow box and put K1 in section 1.





First job of the day was to cover the base in egg crate to distribute out the weight of the rocks which would be added and to protect the glass from scratches.





Spent a couple of hours washing the crushed coral substrate before adding it and the 3 largest rocks into the tank.




Filled up the tank using my DIY water changer. Nothing too complicated, a filter intake and enough hose to reach to the tap




Left the tank to run for 2 days with a couple of fish in there to test the water.

Then siphoned out all of the crushed coral substrate from my 4 foot tank and moved it to the 6 foot. (Had to do a 50% water change after that to clear up the water a bit. Next time I would make sure all the sand is in the new tank before adding any water).

Added the rest of the rocks to complete the hardscape.

Moved everything from the FX5 filter (media, sponges, polishing pads) I was using on the 4 foot tank into the new sump.

Final step was to net and move over the fish.




A couple of new Haps added to the mix.

Fossorochromis Rostratus




Buccochromis Lepturus



Have a few more new fish ordered and scheduled to arrive in 2 weeks. Will post some photos then.

The fun never ends !!

Thanks for reading.