Dimensions 200 × 70 × 60 cm

Title Dawn over Malawi Membe Reef

Volume 840L

Background Black paint.

Lighting From front to back:
1x 36W T8 Hagen PowerGlo (18000K),
1x 36W T8 Sylvania Aquastar (10000K),
1x 36W T8 Philips (12000K),
1x 36W T8 Philips (12000K).

Right side, over the large rocks:
5x 10W Power LED (6500K).

A lighting program is used in 3 steps. Starts and ends progressive, resembling daylight intensity from dusk till dawn.

Filtration 180L sump powered by a 4000L/H pump with the following media: plastic sponges, crushed lava rock, zeolite rock, AquaClay filter balls, Sera Siporax and bio balls.
2x internal 1400L/H filters.

Plants Algae

Animals Cynotilapia sp. hara (5 juveniles),
Cyrtocara Moori (4),
Labeotropheus Trewavasae (1 juvenile),
Labeotropheus Marmalade Cat (8 juveniles),
Labidochromis Mbamba Bay (3),
Labidochromis Caeruleus (3),
Metriaclima Aurora (5),
Metriaclima Daktari (5 juveniles),
Metriaclima Greshakei (4 juveniles),
Metriaclima Msobo (3),
Metriaclima Zebra (9),
Melanochromis Johannii (2),
Pseudotropheus Acei Msuli (2),
Pseudotropheus Socolofi (2),
Synodontis Njassae (2),
Tropheops sp. "Mauve Yellow" (2 juveniles).

Materials Hardscape made with real rocks from river "Crisul Repede" with shape and texture resembling Membe Reef from Lake Malawi. About 150kg of rocks and 42kg of sand.

Additional Information I tried the make a shadowy Membe Reef, a game of light and shadow with a touch of colorful fishes.
This is a predominant rock dwelling Mbuna fauna. Non-Mbuna's like Cyrtocara Moori and Synodontis Njassae cat fish break and complete the overall pattern.
It is fantastic to observe the special adaptations that every Mbuna from the 7 genus present in the tank have when it comes to feeding on the algae. One can eat from a horizontal position, others from 45 degree angles, others from vertical rock walls and so on... managing to utilize every inch or corner of the tank.
Fascinating territorial display in males. They will protect their chosen spot at almost any cost. More interesting is looking at males hierarchy and observe daily challenges that occur, mouth fights and female courtship. My idea when i made the tank was to have a beautiful visual thing but also something interesting to look at. Let's not forget when i feed them... now that is what i call frenzy!
Words are too poor to describe.