Shellies in 'tierd' tank

[Ajordan]

I've pretty much decided that my 28g bow front will become a shell dweller tank (I'm thinking Lamprologus meleagris/stappersi at the moment but who knows...) sometime after the new year.

I want to add some height and depth to the tank but also want to keep in the rocky lake tang. style. I was thinking of doing one or two plateaus (that I will custom make out of concrete or with rocks) with a few inches of sand in them. Would shellies use/benefit/suffer from such structures. It looks like most shellie activity happens on the floor of the tank but the 28 is somewhat high and deep (front to back) compared to some more standard sizes.

What do you all think?

I've attached a quick and dirty paint drawing of what I have in mind for the plateau areas. *not to scale, not complete and not very good but hopefully illustrative*

[Ajordan]

I can't see the picture so I'm guessing no one else can... maybe this will work?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/2093135711_8b598b8b75.jpg?v=0

[GirlieGirl8521]

Its my understanding that the shellies prefer the floor of the tank and will not use any type of higher structure. Thats just what I've read......maybe someone here has tried it.

[Sploke]

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ultimate_shellie_tank.php

[Ajordan]

great article, thanks for the link. Once again, I have tank envy.

I'm not a big fan of the 'every inch covered in shells' look. From what I have read that doesn't seem to be a must...

[malken]

I like the idea of a pure deco tank w/ multies. With one deco theme on one side and another on the other. Like Egyptian stuff on one side and roman stuff on the other with shells scattered on each side . That way it would give the impression of rival factions. Maybe that's just the exhaustion talking but that sounds really neat to me.

[jpappy789]

Just make sure there are plenty of shells and I mean plenty. Shells are far more important to shellies than deco