New 10 Gallon

[fishfood]

Well, I am so excited. I've almost got the tank all set-up. I'm off to wash more sand, I will put in a 2 inch layer. It just so happens that I used to collect seashells, so I've got like 50 pounds to search through and find some good ones. I've got an inside sponge filter already with bacteria and stuff on it, a light, a heater and the tanks already on my desk. I just have to fill it. Yay!

Am I missing anything? LOL! I get so anxious sometimes I forget things. Also, what kind of shells can you use? I've got probably every different kind. And I also have to try to find my digi cam, so I can take pics. I've lost it for about 4 months, LOL!

[sman91wing]

The easiest shells to use are escargot shells, because they are usually available everywhere.  Theres a huge thread in the "Equipment, Nutrition, and Decor" section of this site.  If you have a Cost Plus World near you, they have 25 escargot shells for 8 bucks.  

Of your seashells, you probably have a big variety of types.  The best ones to use are the kind that have a 1"-2" opening, and room inside for the fish.  

[fishfood]

OK, got it filled, sand, heater, filter, water, condiotner, and I found coral pieces in with my shells so I put a bunch of those in there! On the shells, I scrounged up as best I could. There is one that has like a 2 inch opening but the rest are barely 1. I've got 4 in there shaped like apple snails, the size of a ping pong ball. I just filled the thing up with shells there is about 18 in there plus the tunnel under the giant whelk/conch (I forget). If they don't find any they like I'll get escargot.

1. How many? SHould I get 6 or 4 or ask for a pair? I'm not sure because I have no oher tanks right now to move them too.

2. When? I have the filter in there that's "ripe" but other than that should I wait the week or so? I don't know if I can...

I've GOT to try to find my digi cam so I can take pics. I want to see what you guys. Think. Thanks also for all the help so far everyone.

[DocRay]

Hopefully you didn't let that sponge dry out :|  Where do you live?

[fishfood]

Nope, kept it in my 29. I'm near Detroit, MI, across from Matt, and 5 minutes away from Wet Thumb!!! LOL!!!

[Mattf]

Try to get 6.. You'll have to remove fish that get thrown out somehow though...

I don't see why you'd have to wait for a week if the filter is ready...

[fishfood]

Yay! Then since Wet Thumb is open tommorow I'll go! And I forgot to mention that my dad gave me a $50 advance in my allowance!!! YAY!!! But I have to pay it back with money from Christmas. LOL!

[fishfood]

Forgot to add that I've got some (3) Black Tetras in their just to help it along. These guys have lasted forever helping me cycle every new tank I set up. I love them.

[fishfood]

OK, I already moved stuff around. SOme of the shells and coral pieces. I also added 2 fake plants, one realistic one in front of the heater, and one neon freakin' purple one in front of the filter. I couldn't resist. As of right now I have the heater unplugged because the water was like 86 degrees...

AND, I couldn't find my digi camera but I found my dad's, but now I can't find the usb connector for his camera to his computer!!! Well if I can find it I got some nice pics of the tank. Wish me luck.

[fishfood]

OK, the water is dramatically clearer. I had to fish out the tets cause I noticed they were breathing a little slower than normal. As soon as I netted them out they started doing the flop. Then when I put them in their old tank they were fine. So I'm confused. But now I have to put the plants back cause I knocked them out. I'm off to get the multies later, so excited!!!

[fishfood]

LOL, did not get the multies today. We were just too busy. SO now I bought some of that calci-sand stuff aand put it in there. I moved the whole tank around so now the large conch/whelk splits the tank in half. On the right side is the heater and filter, covered by a fake plant, and the calci-sand. The sand is piled about 3 inches high BUT covered with the sand. There is the coral pieces in there and also the largest shell that I'm hoping the male will claim. On the left side is maybe 1 inch of sand, with like 7 or 8 smaller shells for the females. Also the opening of the large conch/whelk makes a little tunnel that I'm hoping the fry will use. Sort of like your cave, Miles. The water is all messed up again though, . The calci-sand stuff is weird, it kind of forms clumps, like cottage cheese but at the same time like play-do. Weird. I like it. I'll take mor epics and I'm still searching for the USB so wish me luck. I'm getting the multis Saturday.