My 2 setups

Firstly, sorry about poor pic quality! Will take some good ones when time allows.

My favourite tank is the biggest out of the 2, 1.6m x 60cm x 50cm. Pool filter sand as substrate, some rocks from the beach(as far i know, ive only seen this type of rock at a specific beach and only collect there). Some shells of which the contents made a very nice curry a few months back!!!
Inhabitants are, upside down catfish(never eally see this guy)
2 Firemouth cichlids
1 Bala Shark(the other 5 died, must get more when the $ allow)
1 Tiger Barb(the other 5 died, must get more when the $ allow)
1 Rainbow shark
about 10 Mbuna Cichlid fry.
All the fish in this tank live happily together


2nd tank is one i built myself:
1.3m x 55cm x 45cm.
Tank only has guppies and snails and one commom pleco
Also pool filter sand substrate and some plants.

All comments welcome.

 

shells? I'm sure that's bad for your water. can any of the experts chime in?

 

Shells add to the waters hardness, so it can be detremental to the fish that require softer water.

This may be why you lost the Tiger barbs and Bala sharks? If your pH is rising over pH 8, then this is not good for these fish, and can cause them harm. The Rainbow shark and firemouths also won't be enjoying Hard alkaline water past pH 8 and 15' Hardness, so you will need to keep an eye on the pH and Hardness?

The Mbunas will be loving it though!

Cheers
G!