Shell dwellers

Im having trouble finiding some ideas for how to set up my shell dwelling tank. i got around 90 shells int he post atm.

I dont know wether to add slate/ocean rock etc etc....

I was after some snaps but many dont seem to be about anyone got any ideas?

http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/shellweb/

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/shelldwellers.php

There you go. I would add some ocean rock around the back and sides and then cover the substrate with shells THen make sure that your pH is well high!

its high to start with 7.8 before anything even goes into tank! I got 2 little lumps of ocean rock atm but i will get some more - I want ones with holes all the way through, they are hard to dig out at some of the LFS

btw should I soak ocean rock?

Probs best to give it a good rinse Mainly for the dust!

Matty wrote:

http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/shellweb/

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/shelldwellers.php

There you go. I would add some ocean rock around the back and sides and then cover the substrate with shells THen make sure that your pH is well high!

They are interesting info sheets, thanks for the links.

GD do you have a source for bigger shells lined upo for when they grow bigger? Are there stockists of that type of thing - I have never seen these fish so guess they are from specialists dealers are they?

not realy not many LFS stock them - best to find a breeder thanks to MC I stumbled across a few!

Shells dont need to be too big.a 1" gap is big enough for the female to get in and lay the eggs. they dont grow too big the Multies are just under 1" max size male about 2" tops

once i got them ill try and get some snaps but I only have a Digicam so dont expect great big lovely shots!

Well the tank is STILL settling will be clear by tomorrow. Got my sells today and the Ocean Rock has been soaking for over 24hrs!

WHta should I clean the shells in before adding to the tank?

Also if I disturb the substrate again will it go cloudy like how it was yesterday?

It might go cloudy GD but it'll be ok. It will clear.

I'd just thoroughly wash the shells under running water in a bucket or colander.

Good luck with it, i'm away til sunday so will expect pics when i'm back

Roger, Ill see what I can do.

tango whiskey bravo foxtrot 749 er you're on

So how many Shells do you think I should add? I got hmmmm 90 or so rofl!!

i can fit them all in.

This was last nights pic



This is today you can see its clearing...I think...

Looking good!

Taking a while to settle tho

Fish go in tonight

GD - is this an empty tank? (Sorry but I have lost track of all your tank arrangements) I am just wondering if youy are having a bacterial bloom due to bacterial die off.

Yes Diana the tank is empty at the mo. It is the tank for my Shell Dwellers

I was going to go collect them tonight from a breeder in Stoke on Trent.

I dont see how it could be a bacterial bloom as it was clear until I gave the sand a good stire to get rid of the trapped air.

have you been adding ammonia to keep the bacteria alive in the filter?

No - what im doing is once the fish go in im adding a filter which is full of bacteria to assist the filter in this tank.

the second little fluval 1 was in there to assist with the clearing of the water from the sand.

I may change some water. and clean the filter foams out.

in thats Pic in the shell to the left it has an extra little one in too which keeps popping its head out.

Now they have left the shells they came in and have gone into the ones spread around the tank!

Gorgeous shellies! Which ones did you go for?

Multies

Well done. Great fish FTS??