looks great bip .. really like the set out..

I like this tank Bip good job working on it, what I really like is the sand it gives the tank a natural look to it. and of course nice fish =)! I need to get a good camera, but these fish won't ever stay still! They're afarid of me snapping pictures of them!

IM VERY IMPRESSED BIP... U DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS REMODELING... WHAT KINDA SAND DO U HAVE AND DO YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN GET ANY TYPE OR FLAT ROCK THAT I COULD STACK HIGH... CAUSE AFTER CHRISTMAS IM REMODELING MY ROOM AND IM GETTING AN 80 GALLON TANK OR A 110 GALLON TANK, SO WHAT A WANT TO DO IS PUT SAND ON THE BOTTOM ( I LOVE THE WAY YOURS LOOKS SO IM COPYING YOU LOL =) )) BUT I ALSO WANT TO STACK UP SOME ROCK ( LIKE SLATE AND/OR FLAGSTONE ) AND MAKE A LOAD OF CAVES THAT WRAPS AROUND MY TANK LIKE FROM THE LEFT SIDE ACROSS THE BACK AND AROUND THE RIGHT SIDE.... WHAT DO U THINK ?? I LOVE YOU TANK BIP-MASTER-FLEX LOOLLL

nice bip

hey Bip! looks terrific! nice fish selection.

Thanks everyone!!
Mike I am using silica sand. I bought it at a home improvment place (like Menards, Home Depot, Scotties, Ace, Lowells ect. not sure who you have in your area.) It was tons cheaper buying it there too, $3 for a 50 pound bag. As far as your rocks.. Take a walk around where you live, (wooded areas, lakes, beaches, creeks, etc.) lots of free rocks, just make sure you clean them really well. Also, local landscaping companies sell rocks starting at like .15 cents a pound on up, way cheaper than any lfs. Again, make sure you clean them well. Good luck and can't wait to see what you do with the bigger tank. I'm flattered that you will copy me, thanks.

nice setup, i cant manage to get my water crystal clear, any suggestions?

Bob, what substrate are you using? How long has it been in the tank? What kind of filter are you running? How often do you do water changes? Thanks for your comment!

HEY BIP .. DO YOU KNOW ( OR ANYONE FOR THAT MATTER ) KNOW WHERE TO GET GOOD DEALS ON FISH TANKS AND FISH TANK SET ( TANK WITH STAND) BECAUSE EVERY WEBSITE I LOOK ON IM PAYING $300 FOR THE TANK AND $300 FOR THE FRICKEN SHIPPING AND HANDLING... BUT I GOT A GOOD WEBSITE TO GET THE STAND ON SO DONT WORRY ABOUT THAT.... IF U CAN HELP THAT WOULD BE AWSOME

awesome Bip!
Mike...try Craigslist

Mike, where abouts are you located? and beautiful looking tank Bip

Mike craigslist.com is a great place to look, aquabid.com is another, ebay.com is worth a shot (both of the last two links might be harder to find in your area, just have to weed through all the posts.) Someone else had posted before about kilji or something like that (I know I screwed that link up, lol.) Good luck!

Thanks Jamie and CS.

Beautiful tank Bip......
I went with the same sand as you in my 75 gallon and am very happy with it.
Are you using a moon light or is it a regular light?

im located in maspeth, NY .. CICHLID STORM... THANKS ALOT GUYS... I OWE YA ONE

THATS IN QUEENS IF I COULD MAKE MASPETH ANY CLEARER TO U

hey bip... what do u think about the sand u have.... does it help keep the pH high like say for example Eco-Complete Sand Substrate?? And if u or ANYONE KNOWS WHERE I CAN GET LACE ROCK FOR A GOOD PRICE ( ONLINE OR WHERE EVER ) LET ME KNOW BECAUSE I HEAR THAT THEY ARE GREAT FOR STACKING... BUT HOW DO U STACK SUCH A LONG PIECE LIKE THAT.. DIAGONALLY?? IDK BUT IM REALLY DOING MY RESEARCH FOR THIS NEXT TANK SOO HOPEFULLY IT TURNS OUT THE WAY I WANT IT TOOOO... THANKS GUYS

I bought my lace rock from lfs. I didn't have luck finding any at the local landscaping company. I got really lucky with the piece on the left of the tank. It is a great size and completely hollow in the back. If you plan on buying any rock off the internet, keep in mind the cost of shipping it, and possible damage/breakage in transit. As far as stacking it, the one on the left stands alone. I have smaller pieces that I usually leave standing alone, but could easily stack, they just seem to fit together, lol. Stack them outside of your tank first to get an idea of how they will look in your tank, and get a feel of how sturdy they will be.
The silica sand I use doesn't affect my water parameters in any way. At least not that I have noticed.

thanks alot Bippidie bopidie boo.. lol... thanks alot though

hey bip... my acei cichlid is always seeming to be chillin at the waters surface all the time... i think it may be of the current of the filters water power or is it cause theres not enough oxygenation in my tank... and how do i fix that... BUT shes not always up there .. maybe 60% of the time... any thoughts?? thanks

hey mike love the bippity bopidie boo. i am laughing .. gone are the days of bipperoooney ..

Lmao Kylie..not gone. He shows up every so often. Need to get him on im and have 'buzz' wars again, lmao.

Mike, it could be lack of oxygen. Does she look like she is gasping for air? My male acei goes to the top often too. But he just likes being there I think. I know he likes to splash/slap the water line, like a dolphin would. I'm tellin ya I have some crazy fish, lol.

nice malawi tank, bip..your fish stands up soo much against the black background, well done, princess!

Thank You Chuck :)

Hey Bip... i just ordered 2 more bumblebees and a trinidad Pleco 5-7"... they said to get the biggest one possible so the cichlids wouldnt pick on him... i also bought a piece of driftwood 6-8" in length... how do i cure it and would it cause a major fluctuation in the pH... how do i keep that fluctuation to a minimum?? How do i know when its cured?? and some say to use salt when boiling it.. What salt do i Use?? the one that i add to the tank when i do water changes... thanks toots =)

Bip... TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT I SENT YOU BEFORE THIS COMMENT

WOW..... I just want to say that you heve a lot of great looking fish.!!

LOVE IT!

LOOKS COOL .NATURAL IS THE WAY TO GO....BUD.I PICKED UP MY SAND FROM A LAKE NEAR HOME ORLANDO IS ALL SAND:).FOR FREE/LOL.I RINSED IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

Looks very nice Bip - !!

awesome