plz help out the Cichlid noob: mubuna

[RedRain5]

Yay! 55 gal for my b day! I have wanted a cichlid tank forever and I feel like a total Noob even though I've kept freshwater for years.
I'm still working on getting the water straight and must finish the decor. Not nearly redy to add the fish. But I do have a vague idea of what I want in the tank. Decor so far is fine gravel a bit larger than coarse sand and lots of rocks mostly granite. I'm planning on keeping Mubuna and compatible species. I know that Mubuna need some salt not sure how much salt to add. also as to hardness I read it falls around 8.2 is this correct?.... I need a new testing kit my old one is well old....any info on water peramiters and water care tips for these fish is apreciated.

Any way on to the fish
2or 3 labidochromis caruleus (yellow labido)
I read that rubber nosed pleco work with this fish and can handle the water conditions required so I plan on getting one and perhaps a snail or two if there are any who can tolerate this water.
I'm also concitering a mubuna of a bluish or dark coloration to start. Not sure of what species is best compatible with the yellow.
Later on I may add two fish with red hues. Any suggestions that would be compatible with the yellow mubuna.

Also yellow labido are primarily vegetarian what sorts of food other than parboiled cucumber and peas will this fish take? and what is the max size of the yellow labido I have read some rather varied reports on size.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

There are some people who use salt in cichlid tanks, i personally do not. Thus i really can't shed any light on that subject, others around here i am sure can.

If you're pH is at 8.2 you are fine.

Pseudotropheus socolofi or Metriaclima callainos (Correct and up to date scientific name?) "Cobalt Blue Zebra" would probably work best with labs. As for a redish color, Orange/Red Zebras (Metriaclima estherae) would work well.

This fish usually takes general flake and pellet food, at least mine do. My labs have only grown to about 3.5". I've seen some that get to 6". I think probably the max you will see is around 6".

 

[RedRain5]

Thanks so much! My ground water is around 7.0 to 7.5 Someone told me they needed salt but aside from putting a little salt in when introducing new fish to help kill parasites and reduce stress I guess if I don’t need it then why bother. I’m just not sure about how much to put in a cichlid setup. Anyway the rocks in the tank are granit (sp) and some form of shale or something that is supposed to kick the pH up a bit. I need to get a new tester to see just how much of a change it makes. I'm not really expecting anything dramatic but anything would help. I already have the buffer and ph plus stuff. I looked up your fish suggestions and they are great the cobalt will be a bit hard to come by my area but other than that it sounds good. Do you know of any snails that can tolerate this water and is the rubber nose pleco realy ok in 8.2 ph?

LOL I just realized that I spelled Mbuna “Mubuna” a bunch of times oops!

 

[Cichlid-Man]

Just a word of advice, in my opinion its better to keep your pH stable then messing with it to much, even if its to low or to high. A steady pH fish can adapt to, but changes every day will not be good on the fish.

Sorry can't help much in the way of snails or plecos.