I've been sitting on an empty 30 gal for about 5 years now. Finally getting back to where I have the time and money to set it up. The idea was to have it up and running by now, but a possible promotion coming in November has caused me to wait a little bit so I can invest in it a little more. I've got a HOB filter from a 55 gal (think it's a penguin biowheel, but I'd have to dig it out to be sure), I need to buy 2 heaters for it, has a single fluorescent t-8 fixture, and I have a spare rio 180 power head if I need to get some more current going. I was originally going to go with Malawis, but have been leaning towards shellies. Right now it has some 2-3" river rock as substrate, with a few bigger pieces I can use for hidey holes. My thoughts are to kind of stack the smaller stuff to one side, put in play sand so one side is all sand (where the shells will be) moving towards the smaller rocks emerging from the sand at the other side. Then I would stack the other larger rocks on that side.
I'm looking for ideas, and as I have a couple months until setup, I can mull them over. Not sure if I want multis, or another type. I have 4 khuli loaches that were going to go in that tank before I decided I wanted to do Africans. Not sure if they will still work, though I have read where loaches are ok with them. How many and of what type of shellies do you think? What are some other interesting options for the upper part of the tank? Any other tang cichlids that will coexist and still fit in the 30g? Any lower light live plants with a good enough root system that wont get pulled up, or am I stuck with fakes? Anything I've missed?
I'm looking for ideas, and as I have a couple months until setup, I can mull them over. Not sure if I want multis, or another type. I have 4 khuli loaches that were going to go in that tank before I decided I wanted to do Africans. Not sure if they will still work, though I have read where loaches are ok with them. How many and of what type of shellies do you think? What are some other interesting options for the upper part of the tank? Any other tang cichlids that will coexist and still fit in the 30g? Any lower light live plants with a good enough root system that wont get pulled up, or am I stuck with fakes? Anything I've missed?
