Mbuna and colors of substate/background

[Marius]

I’m interested in starting a Mbuna tank and been looking around for tank designs. I know for tropheus dark colors don't color up the fish, but with Malawi fish they seem to really pop. I was wondering if a black substrate and deep blue background would work because I have yet to see such a set up with Mbuna. Usually I see a black or blue background with white sand, but I haven’t seen black bottom with blue background. I plan to get some yellow labs with Demansoni or something similar contrasting yellow and blue such as a Saulosi. Thanks

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Hello! Welcome...

I would say go for that setup. Sounds awesome! The only thing that I would suggest is maybe some lighter rocks. Either TX. Holely Rock or Some sort of Limestone... That would ensure that they have something to help with color and make sure lighting is bright and those rocks will help to reflect any and all light.

I love it when people break away from standards and something amazing comes out of it.

Do you plan on starting a build thread?

[Marius]

Hi, thanks for the reply. I do have some light colored rocked and a tufa rock to use. I think I will try it.
Not sure if I will build a thread yet
God bless

[...]

Back in Australia i had a mixed Malawi (mbuna and haps) in a set up with black substrate. The rock I did the scape with was limestone so some contrast there. I loved the look and the fishes color over the black was sweet. If you get the right lighting (led or t5) it will look great I am sure! There rear glass was not painted as the wall the tank sat against was textured and looked kinda cool as it was.
This is the only pic I could dig up to give you an idea of how yours might look;

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

Aug 5, 2016 17:01:51 GMT -5 Marius said:

Hi, thanks for the reply. I do have some light colored rocked and a tufa rock to use. I think I will try it.
Not sure if I will build a thread yet
God bless

Yeah, Either way I think that it will be great to see completed... Looking forward to it.

Danny,

Those look Great! Is that a white background or the flash?

[...]

It was the wall actually Drew. It was kinda sand colored textured drywall so it looked pretty cool. The rear of the tank was just clear glass 😊

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

AH gotcha. Yeah I bet that looked pretty nice.

[...]

Marius I did manage to dig up a full tank shot for ya of my set up that had the black substrate...not the greatest picture but you get the idea!

[Mastiffman/ Duramax7Man7]

There goes that flash again... ha ha.

Looks nice though!