2ft Shell Dweller setup/stocking advice plz

[Donnixd]

Hey all,

I had a spare 2ft around, and decided to have a go housing shell dweller cichlids for the first time.     The tank so far:
2ft,
75Litres
Black painted background
4-5 cm of white filter pool sand as substrate
One Java Fern (I plan to get 3-4 more small branches)
Red Rocks and the white looking like coral rocks (buffs the PH to like
14 varied med seashells.







A bio filter -tetra Internal filters with two sponges
A chemi internal -Sicce Shark Filter which holds active carbon and chemi pure


Been adding Stability from Seachem to help ‘kick start’ the tank



All decors were boiled before they went into the tank. It’s been cycling for a week now, at 27 degrees and with high aeration (this speed things up so I read). I haven’t done any water tests yet but i hope its headin to the right water sanity for shell dwellers. Now for the best part of the setup, let’s talk inhabitants!
I will be adding a small bristlenose pleco into the tank this weekend to help manage the algae (once it gets too big, i’ll transfer him to my 6ft). Also Im a huge fan of Malaysian trumpet snail for algae control.  I had some experience with them in a guppy’s tank. Will they perform well in a setup like this? This will be my algae control crew, any other suggestions?
 

There are so many kinds of shell dwellers each with its different requirements. I narrowed it down to the three common kept ones- Ocellatus "Gold" ,Multifasciatus & Brevis.
Multi’s required alot of shells and im not a fan of the ‘Shellbed’
Brevis require a little bigger space and can be aggressive.
So i thinking of getting Ocellatus, they look really nice and require fewer shells.



My purpose is breed shell dwellers if possible (optional) but keep a fish thats entertaining and fun to watch. Correct me if im wrong if with anything above, it’s my first time to cichlids.

[Alleycat]

I think your choice of occies is the right choice for the all the reasons you've stated and that work for you. All we need now are the pics when they're ready !!!   

I'm a huge fan of MTS for other reasons. Many fish enjoy the tastey treat, and they keep any pockets from building in the sand substrate.

Just my 2cents

[shaun]

I agree, the MTS work in any tank, IMO.  As for the multies and a shell bed, I don't think that they need it, they just prefer it as their natural habitat.  If you get a pair of multies, start out with 8-10 shells.  They breed, maybe add a few more.  The more shells you have, the harder it is to get the fish out.  Besides, with that footprint, you can add a few rockpiles as well.

And if you want fast breeders, multies are the way to go.

[Sean]

a couple suggestions, The shells seem to have alot of spirals which the shellies could get stuck in. I would replace them with something like escargot or whale eyes. Also, Brevis need the least space out of the 3 you suggested. Other then that, seems to be good.

I would get brevis but up to you I guess. Brevis wont be using much space if you do end up getting them. If you want more activity, get some occies. If breeding is your intention, some more uncommon shellies would also benefit.

[Donnixd]

Hi Guys

A little update...


I’d replaced some seashells for approx. 20 Apple Snail shells and added in two small (4 cm) plecos, a bristlenose and a peppermint.



 

I’m a little concern at the yellowish algae growing on white rocks. The tanks only 1.5 weeks old, is this algae growth normal?


I went to a fish auction and got 5 Gold Occies at a good price (they didn’t auction multies). They seem to be doing fine; there was a hierarchy of power and property dispute during the first few days. But now, the two big (guessing males) own the front area of the tank. I put some shells hidden under the white rocks and two smaller occies use those shells. The firth fish I haven’t seen in a week..  Maintenance is easy so far, 40% water change, a temp of 25 degrees, two feeding of flakes, frozen blood worms, or frozen brine shrimp using a water dropper.     






 

These guys are surprisingly small and my digital camera isn’t that great hence crappy pictures. Srry 

[fish head]

nice setup!  thanks for posting your progress and telling of your auction adventures!  I had some gold occies once, and hope to find them again some day...they're the only shellies that have ever bit me!  little rascals!

[Warwick]

Nice setup.. no need to feed your bristlenose,they will eat the leftovers and algae

[Donnixd]

I rearrange the rocks and shell to be functional rather than architectural, now three occies have space (4th still gets bullied).
I was told they are 3-4 month old, not yet ready for breeding age, so another 2 months?

Also I haven’t added anything special to the water.
I fill 70% tap water and 30% rain water into two bucket, add some crystal chlorine,
put a white rock in it  buffing PH and GH, and let it stay for 4 days = Age Water. 

Every water change I use Age water.

SO, is this ok? some articles says I need cichlid buffer, cichlid slat, cichlid trace elements!
I haven’t used any of these products before nor understand their propose.

[Sean]

It takes months for rocks to start to erode. Also, it would take them maybe 8months to a year to become sexually mature.

[shaun]

You will get some who advocate as close to lake conditions as possible, and others who see no need as long as the water is kept clean and they are healthy and eating.  I prefer biotope conditions because I think it makes the fish healthier and happier, but have no proof of this.  Some fish are hardier and can be kept in a wider range of conditions, like multies.  I don't know if what you have will be as tolerant of the conditions.  I use the cichlid buffer recipe on cichlid-forum.com with minor adjustments to compensate for my water.  Epsom salt, baking powder, and sea salt.  1 tsp of each per 10 gallons changed.  But if yours are happy, i.e. feeding and breeding, why mess with a good thing. 

Some people use the buffering substrate and holey rock, and this is also a great way to  maintain conditions.

[Donnixd]

Hey,
it’s the first month into my setup and both tank and fish are doing fine. Doing 50% water change twice per week...
might increase this to 20% daily water change.
I’m trying hard not to overfed the occies, it’s difficult to portion the food, with the 6ft Oscar South.A cichlids its pitches of pellets, theses guys require half a flake.
 Anywho their all growing but the two dominate occies grow fastest.
The two plecos are poo factory and crapping all over the white sand... I regret the decision of adding two , might remove the BN..

Greenish algae is growing on the white rocks which looks nice, however some black beard algae is growing...
i think it was introduced because i put some plant that was infested by BBA.
Any tips of eradicating this algae?   

[Foti]

hi
this is the advice i got for BBA

-If you only have it here and there you can squirt hydrogen peroxide directly onto it. It fizzes and turns purple over a day or two and dies.(from a vet)

with your water change im sure a 20% water change at a time is best

-AZOO Brush Algae Killer 15ml
1. Contains an effective formula of killing algae and contributes to eliminate any kinds of algae in the aquarium.
2. Applies low dosage and prohibits the growth of algae effectively.
3. Causes no harm to either fishes or water plants.
4. Prohibits the algae problems thoroughly when using in succession.
5. Has no negative effect on water plant fertilizers and the absorption ability of water plants


•Dosage : 2 drops pr 100 litres
•Use when doing a water change etc.
•packet contains approx 200 drops.


-The only fish that will eat this is the real siamese flying fox.
but it was banned from import in Aus when they changed the label requirements.
but you could still find them around


good luck,i hope this helped

[Sin]

-If you only have it here and there you can squirt hydrogen peroxide directly onto it. It fizzes and turns purple over a day or two and dies.(from a vet)

I didnt want any chance of confusion so just wanted to clarify, this should be done outside of the tank dont use a syringe and squirt directly in your tank water. there now i feel better. please dont take offence

[kiriyama]

Hi, really like your set up, love the white sand and rocks, I also liked the set up with the larger shells, one note though , although your Bristlenose will clean the glass and rocks and also eat leftovers, it is a good idea to feed it a mixture of veggies and the odd algae wafer, potato, carrot are two favourites for my Bristlenose, usually put them in boiling water then nuke in the microwave, mine devour them , how does the peppermint hold up to the high pH?

[Donnixd]

Oh no somethings wrong with my tank,

Well we know I’m battling with BBA, i heard overdosing Flourish Excel will eliminate/slow dwn the algae..
Yesterday I brought a bottle and gave this a try (pouring ~3-4 over the recommend use) and now my 4 occies have completely changed their healthy behaviour...
 
They’ve been inside their shell all day...and lots Malaysian trumpet snails are coming out the sand in daylight...
i can see the occies inside the shell they seem to be breathing more heavily,

Did a 40% water change then a test, ammonia is nil and ph is a high 8. It’s definitely my mistake of overdosing the Excel. Im very worried ,
i tried to be detailed, any help would be great