55 Gallon Mbuna Tank: A Non-Biotope Enjoyable Tank!

Hello Everyone,
We recently got some new fish, which necessitated us moving some fish around. We re-scpaed the 55 gallon and added some mbuna from other tanks. Even though it isn't biotope correct, it's still an enjoyable tank. :-)
If you want to learn more about the fish featured in this video check out these species profiles:
Pseudotropheus saulosi: • Pseudotropheus saulosi...
Rusty Cichlid: • Rusty Cichlid Care and...
Here is how to set up an mbuna tank: • How to Set Up an Mbuna...
Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimea...
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member! / @primetimeaquatics
If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel!
/ @thesmallscape
We would like to thank our channel sponsors for 2020: Flip Aquatics and Fritz Aquatics. For 2020 our fish are being fed Northfin Foods from flipaquatics.com! They help make what we do here possible and are worth checking out!
Thanks for watching!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If you want to learn more about the fish featured in this video check out these species profiles: Pseudotropheus saulosi: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKiTYaR7hZdmi7c Rusty Cichlid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGSupXyQjpyCeMk Here is how to set up an mbuna tank: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoiXXqmppaZoiLc Also, our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member! kzbin.info/door/YVN... If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! kzbin.info/door/PEZ...

[@garymerrick3620]

i have looked for inspiration at many a mbuna setups and in my opinion this is by far the best i have seen , WOW!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@martyborst5645]

I like how the tank isn’t over stocked with plants. It gives the fish more room to swim around in. I also like the colors of the fish. Really cool!😎🐠

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@Fifthimagez]

The tank looks amazing I’ve been out the hobby almost a year now and I miss 😢 so much

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@christinegeggie976]

I was for a little bit it just gets too much at sometimes

[@Diosesdepapel]

Very nice looking fish tank , beautiful fish and colors , great combination..

[@camsfishadventures]

Oh my it looks amazing

[@chief7385]

This tank design has definitely given me ideas of how to setup my 55. Love your videos, thank you for the great information and the care you put into caring for your fish.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@aldehorte]

Beautiful fish, and nice tank. Do you plan to add plants? Btw you are one of the best freshwater channels on themtube. Thanks for all the knowledge you share, it saves fish & stops people from making some big mistakes!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you for being here! I don't think we will try to add any plants - they eat just about every green thing!

[@jaysonoliveira4752]

I've had mbuna for over 30 years, have had many other cichlids over the years oscars,Dempseys,Devils ,jaguars,etc etc but Africans are on another level when in a large community tank, it's always interesting and none stop. I have 14 in a 75 gallon and they all play nice to an extent lol. My substrate is old washed out crushed coral and wow my rustys look like Jack Dempsey there spine and under belly are burgundy but there sides are a beautiful blue hue.

[@punittripathi79]

Beautiful tank !!! So love the way the colour of the fish pops out !!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@nycthinklab966]

Ty!

[@sharronmiller451]

Beautiful!!

[@markhunter2244]

Very nice, amazing looking fish 🤓

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thanks Mark!

[@riteshfamily369]

Nice video😃👍

[@aquariumtreasures1054]

Amazing tanks and fish. Love them all.😊🐟👍

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@cole3967]

Fish juggling haha...looks awesome 👌 👏

[@Sandman3136]

Awesome Looking Tank. 👍

[@TheFishNerd]

Love it!! I've been trying to decide between Salousi and Rusty cichlids for my 55. Both maybe?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Heck ya!

[@unusualaquariumecosystems5805]

Those purple ones look nice.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@madturtle8826]

That looks incredible... Where did you get those stones?!?! I am having a heck of a time finding ones that big..

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Check out landscaping places - that's where we get most of our rocks.

[@patjesscole2709]

Beautiful very nice tank 😁

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@gladboy7722]

Looks great...👍👍👍🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹...

[@TrillAssAarron]

Love your videos, I have 19 mbuna in a 60 gallon running with only two sponge filters. It's been running for over a year with no issues.

[@monaangela4667]

So awesome 👍👍😍👌👌

[@MrAudiobully]

Hey Jason, how many do you have in there? And what would be the mbuna count limit in a 55 for you (considering the fish comfort and not the flitration)? Thanks!

[@bryceyyk]

Following.....need to know the same info. I have a 55 gallon also

[@marvinduenas7445]

Any update on this answer??

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Gravel won't hurt them and it doesn't suck like sand does... literally and figuratively. I don't care what species I play with from this day until my last day, I'll never do sand again. It's the devil. It has ruined more filters than I can remember and it destroyed my utility sink in the basement after a few years of (Python) water changes. 😆 #neveragain #ihatesand The tank looks good 👍 though. I love the different species mixed together. My effort to do that eventually ended with a tank full of silver grey fish that had cross bred to the point where I had no idea what they were anymore 😅 One day I'll have to send you an IM on where to find the local fishkeeping groups and clubs. As of this second, you're the only fellow Brother in The 'Nois that I know about. Certainly the only one I trust to shoot me straight. It's my hope that you might be able to point me in the right direction to finding some reputable local clubs. For 45 years, give or take a couple, that I've been doing this, I never thought to look into clubs before. Not until I discovered KZbin a year or two ago anyway. Well, I mean, I've known about KZbin, but I only used it to look up music or goofy videos in the past. I didn't realize people had channels where they put out specific content on a regular basis. Have I mentioned I hate sand? 😜

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The clubs have saved me so much money when buying/trading fish! Plus, the fish from club members tend to be a lot healthier.

[@AdamUS123-j7q]

Dude just get black sand

[@jo3895]

Brought home 15 Pseudotropheus acei today. It isn't biotope correct but I like it more as it is now

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cool!

[@swannydeehosinpepper9655]

My Mbuna tank has become a baby factory !! What the heck do I do with all of these babies ?? I should have held out and got the Neolamprologus caudopunctatus that I wanted..

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I'm surprised any have survived. They never do in our tanks unless I remove the holding female. If you have been pulling the females you can just let them spit them out into the mbuna community tank. I never see fry survive.

[@janmargelowskyakacrittermo1101]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics I was surprised when a couple fry survived in my 55 Mbuna tank. They are growing and doing well. My 55 Mbuna tank is more heavily stocked than yours but I have a lot more filtration on it. Fish are healthy and haven't lost any.

[@hunterp4866]

What are all the fish you used in the mbuna tank

[@83mgroux]

Quick question... What kind of rocks are in that 75 mbuna tank that came onto the screen quickly around 3:12

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That is Texas Holey Rock

[@NP-rw3xk]

Does the Jungle Val affect your pH at all? My tap water is low pH so I need to use a buffer, but would like to add some plants.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Plants have never had an impact on our pH.

[@NP-rw3xk]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thank you for the reply and love the videos and info.

[@CertifiedAsian695]

Is it better for mbuna cichlids to have gravel or sand?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sand is ideal

[@CertifiedAsian695]

My local pet store says gravel is better for these mbuna cichlids cause there isn’t sand there. Which would be more beneficial for the fishes 🤔

[@CertifiedAsian695]

And if you may is there an email I can reach you at so I can show my how my tank looks and see if there’s any things I need to change

[@harshavardhan2836]

What's the fish with black stripes on blue called?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That is Pseudotropheus saulosi

[@aravindharaja9864]

Sir, please help. I'm building a tank with dimensions 66in x 15in x 24in (lxbxh) which is 102 gallons . This is maximum depth I can give because of lack of space. Is the dimensions okay to have Oscars? How many Oscars can I keep in this custom tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think you should be ok with one for sure. More than that just depends on the personality.

[@ramonortega1575]

Have you guys thought about making hats? I'd buy some.....

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Joanna is actually looking into it. :-)

[@ramonortega1575]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics awesome thanks for replying.

[@christophercasanas386]

😎🐟

[@ericvickery1698]

I love my “mbuna” tank. I’ve broken some “rules” too. Check it out and let me know what you think. I’m open to suggestions. It’s 65.

[@benjamindegenkamp8210]

why do you keep them like that this is just sad

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Because that's what I like.

[@jodysees19]

Thank you for sharing this tank. I currently have a 29 gallon and plan to get a 55 gallon Mbuna tank next in addition to.

[@tyson3897]

Jason I m shutting down my fish room I'm a longtime follower would you like some fish

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sorry to hear you are shutting everything down. Right now I don't think I have any space. Thanks for thinking of me though.

[@MissMell5]

Wow! Looks great. Everyone looks happt and content. Im lucky enough to keep cichlids in a planted tank without issues, but i would like to do a hard scaped tank too.

[@jamesgreen9372]

I appreciate that you prefer to keep your fish after projects are complete. We see my son’s fish as members of the family rather than decorations. That may be a bit of extreme for some; however, I feel in is just part of a positive ethic we envision for our son.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I agree. I try to stress to my kids that when you buy a living creature you are committing to it for its entire life.

[@muhammadfazli3875]

Beautiful

[@infantryveteran2636]

All most there Jason, you'll be at 100,000 before you know it!! Great job young man!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! :-)

[@danielvasconcelos1983]

Great Video and Layout! Inspiring!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@wolf_pre4162]

How many are in there and and how many fully grown can I get in a 55 gallon

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Maybe 15-18?

[@wolf_pre4162]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics and that’s fully grown ?

[@onehitterquitter2130]

I love creating new bio topes for my fish. My leleupis are in a planted tank. They adjusted quite well.

[@distortedfox6561]

Can I have a common pleco with yellow labs?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I personally wouldn’t keep a common unless I had an 8ft tank. Bristlenose plecos are a better choice. But yes, they usually get along ok.

[@distortedfox6561]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you for taking the time to answer my concerns also another question so I have a 90 gallon with about 6 yellow labs a African feather fin catfish and some black skirt tetras is this okay it’s been working for a while now but now the labs are starting to attacking my tetras or at least be very aggressive and are attacking the feather fin as well they ate one of the tetras eyes I just don’t want my fish to be stressed or attacked due to the labs yet I don’t want to get rid of them unless it last resort

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Oh my gosh this is so pretty! The fish are stunning! And the way you have the tankscape really highlights and showcases the fish. This is the kind of tank that makes me want to keep cichlids again! I really love it! Thank you so much for sharing and I hope you've had an incredible day! 👍🌱🐟🌿

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I don't think you are going to be able to hold out much longer. Haha

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics you're definitely enabling my multi-tank addiction 😂

[@Anonymous-aussie]

First 🙂

[@gameroftheyear1000]

It’s a very nice tank! I do want to ask of everyone’s opinion on my 55 gallon Mbuna tank to see if it’s overstocked now. I’ve had the tank running for a little under 2 years so here’s the list. 3 female yellow labs and 1 male 1 male red zebra and 1 female 2 male blue zebras 1 male bubble bee and 2 female 1 albino blue zebra female 1 male electric blue johanni 1 aruautus male and 1 female I also have a few babies that were able to escape into the cracks and have began to develop and grow. Thanks for everyone’s opinions! I would also like to point out that I’ve had minimal aggression issues and they breed at the ready and the water parameters stay in check as I run two 350 penguins and a magnum canister filter and to a 50% water change once a week. Thanks a ton!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think that is good for your tank. If you haven't had any problems I wouldn't change anything.

[@darrylmoore5847]

I love this combination of fish. They look and act great together.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@ariannasorrentino4430]

What is this white small swimming is it a baby fishes?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If it's tiny it might just be the hornwort leaves?