Just setup my Shelldweller tank

[Wolfsblood]

I got this Tetra 10g starter kit with LED lighting for pretty cheap. I am going to be getting about 4 neolamprogous multifaciatus aka multis. Planning on doing 1 male and 3 females. I would like to get some breeding going. The fish are pretty uncommon in my area. Im getting about 20 escargot shells from amazon.com to lay in the open front area. There are 2 sword plants in there. Guess I will see if the cheap LEDs will keep them alive. Anything else I should know? Is 4 a good number for a 10g or should I do 3?

 

[mikem691]

They are awesome little fish. You will be amazed at how they guard the shells and move sand around. I have 1 left and he is diging all the time. I want to get a few more but only one place around here has them (big chain store) $39.00 each.

 

[Wolfsblood]

Oh wow that's expensive. I hope I can find some for cheaper.

 

[Scottyhorse]

I think four will be fine in there. Some people have even kept them in 5 gal tanks so you will be good. Love your setup so much! I was thinking about setting a 10 gal up for a few, but I was detered from the idea because it seemed like you would have to have a boring aqua scape, but your tank has been inspiring

 

[Fishy monkey]

Looks great, I was like scottyhorse and got put off thinking it would look boring, I'm having a rethink now though!

 

[phishfriend]

My next build is going to be a shell dweller in a 20L. So I'm going to tag along. Tank setup looks great! Have you decide what shells your going to use and where your going to get them?

Here a link I found to a place that sell really cool shells.
Shells Used for Cichlid Breeding, Cover for Fry and Aquarium Decorations

Edit: totally missed that you said escargot shells

 

[Convict2161]

It's gonna look really good with the shells in the tank!

 

[Fishy monkey]

Question (probably a dumb one) about the shells you're getting from amazon- are they empty shells? I just looked on amazon and checked the ingredients list, it said snails and water. Will you have to remove the snails yourself or am I searching for the wrong thing?

 

[CrashCourse]

They also sometimes sell them in the grocery store as escargot shells. Like as a display for serving food, so they're clean and no chemicals.

 

[Wolfsblood]

Thank you everyone for the compliments The shells I will be getting are empty. I have heard you can get them from places like whole foods but they do still have the snail inside. Im not super interested in eating a snail so empty it is haha. Here is a link to the ones Im getting:http://www.amazon.com/Chantifrais-E...id=1358445904&sr=8-1&keywords=escargot+shells I kinda felt the same way about the scape. A lot I saw were just a bare tank with shells everywhere but I am pretty sure they will appreciate the rock.

Phishfriend thanks for that link. They have some really cool ones on there, I might have to pick up a few.

 

[Fishy monkey]

Thanks for posting that link wolfsblood

 

[deb_unlimited]

Cool idea! I like the little guys, too! One thought, since they love to dig, you might want to be absolutely certain that all of your rocks are "rock solid". You wouldn't want to wake up and find a little tail sticking out from under one of the rocks!

 

[mikem691]

Cool idea! I like the little guys, too! One thought, since they love to dig, you might want to be absolutely certain that all of your rocks are "rock solid". You wouldn't want to wake up and find a little tail sticking out from under one of the rocks!

Mine only dig around the shells and moves the shells around. They will prob ignore the rocks if you have a lot of shells. I think the recomended amount is 3 or 4 shells per multi.

 

[Wolfsblood]

I get my shells on Saturday so I will update with some new pics then. Im really excited to have these little guys

 

[Wolfsblood]

My shells came a day early. I am really happy with them. They are a great size with nice big openings and cool patterns. Here are the pics

 

[Fishy monkey]

Looks really good, did you need to do anything to the shells before putting them in? I was gonna have a dwarf puffer tank, now I can't decide!

 

[mikem691]

That looks awesome Going to be some happy multis!

 

[phishfriend]

It does look great! Makes me want to start mine today! When do you plan on fish? Hows your cycle going?

 

[Wolfsblood]

Looks really good, did you need to do anything to the shells before putting them in?

They are food grade so they should be clean. I just rinsed them in tap water really well.

I still dont have any nitrites. Im kind of surprised because I added filter media from another tank. I have two fishless cycles going right now and it sure is testing my patience. I feel like Im playing some weird game everyday. I stare at the tubes going " no green no green! come on purple yay purple!"

 

[Fishy monkey]

They are food grade so they should be clean. I just rinsed them in tap water really well.

I still dont have any nitrites. Im kind of surprised because I added filter media from another tank. I have two fishless cycles going right now and it sure is testing my patience. I feel like Im playing some weird game everyday. I stare at the tubes going " no green no green! come on purple yay purple!"

Ive looked on amazon and cant find any snail-less shells (I'm in the UK) :-(
As for the cycling I know how you feel, been fishless cycling my 60 litre since September, asked for help a couple of days ago and now jlk and library girl are helping me through it. Hope yours finishes soon, can't wait to see your fishes!