my first Tanganyika shell dweller tank (now with pictures)

[gheitman]

Like many people I read about lately I have decided to set up my first Tanganyika cichlid tank. I have a lot of experience with other cichlids such as kribs, jewels, angels, apistos, checkerboards, etc. I would like to populate the tank with a half dozen multies as I am interested in the harem breeding. I don't plan to add any other fish at least initially. The setup of the tank will be as follows:

20 gallon long tank
standard hood w/ fluorescent bulb
20 pounds of Carib Sea Eco-Complete African Cichlid sand
sponge filter rated for 30 gallons
100W heater
50 gold mouth turbo snail shells

My water out of the tap is neutral as far as pH goes and not very hard so in addition to the substrate I have Seachem's Cichlid Lake Salt and Tanganyika Buffer in case they are needed. I'm considering adding a powerhead to increase the water circulation. I like plants in my tanks so I am thinking of putting some vals in back but otherwise not plant it as heavily as my other tanks.

Does anyone have suggestions, comments, etc.? Is there anything I am forgetting?

[JDogg]

i think you will be very happy with the multis!

[Voodoo Chilli]

Everything sounds good to me, although planted plants don't stay planted in multi tanks. I anchor java ferns to rocks in my shellie tanks.

[gheitman]

I've been thinking of tying some Anubias or Java ferns to some rocks instead of the vals. I may not have any plants at all for that matter.

[Voodoo Chilli]

No, I think the plants are a good idea. They just have to be of the anchored variety.

[Sabrehorn]

An uncle gave me a 20 or so gallon hex tank last month. Just wondering if maybe this would be good enough for a few shellies?

[rich311k]

Sounds like a nice setup. Good luck with them.

[gheitman]

The 20 gallon hex should be fine it just wouldn't necessarily be the optimum solution. From what I have read so far most shell dwellers stay towards the bottom of the tank so the middle and upper layers would be pretty much unoccupied. That is why you frequently see the shorter 20 gallon long or 40 gallon breeder recommended for these types of fishes (it gives more substrate area for shells). On the other hand the 20 gallon hex should offer much better viewing of their activity since you've got six sides to observe from I'm not an expert by any means since I am just setting up my first shell dweller tank.

[Voodoo Chilli]

Yes, the 20g hex wouldn't be my first choice for a shell dweller tank, but it'll work just fine.

[gheitman]

My tank is now set up and my fish have been ordered. I should have them here by the middle of next week and will post some pictures at the first opportunity. I ended up with the following:

20 lbs. of sand giving a depth of less than an inch
50+ gold and silver mouth turbo shells
sponge filter and power head
3 Anubias plants
assorted rocks

That Carib Sea Eco-Complete African Cichlid Sand really does buffer the tank to a higher pH. I added one bag and then filled the tank with tap water. Other than treating the water with Prime and Stability I didn't try to alter the chemistry in any way. I measured the pH at above 8.4 by the end of the night.