New 30 gal setup

[austinpetemo]

sounds good, just keep in mind that once the transcriptus begin to breed that all the other transcriptus will have to go otherwise your gonna have some dead fish. and for the multies/similis, im not sure if youve already found some similis but they seem a little harder to find than multies (which you can get nearly anywhere)

on another note, i dont remember if this has already been said but just make sure that you have at least 3 shells per shell dweller (the more the better)

 

[jasonG75]

sounds good, just keep in mind that once the transcriptus begin to breed that all the other transcriptus will have to go otherwise your gonna have some dead fish. and for the multies/similis, im not sure if youve already found some similis but they seem a little harder to find than multies (which you can get nearly anywhere)

on another note, i dont remember if this has already been said but just make sure that you have at least 3 shells per shell dweller (the more the better)

"3 shells per shell dweller" For sure, actually my little girl is in TX right now and she was at Galvaston beach and she picked up a bunch of shells so I told her to keep them for me.

"your gonna have some dead fish" I plan on taking them back to the LFS that found them for me.

Worse case is I have found some similis on aquabid.


One other question, I know some have said to use sand on the side for the shellies but could I use Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand ?
I was wondering, because I am planning on using crushed coral for the other side of the tank, where the Julies will be.

 

[jpappy789]

Make sure the shells are large enough though so the fish do not get stuck.

Don't use live sand...it's full of stuff that will die in FW and likely cause an ammonia spike and foul up the water.

I would personally do sand all over since it's easier to clean. If you have a HOB or canister just fill a mesh bag or nylon with the CC if you really need it for buffering.

 

[jasonG75]

Make sure the shells are large enough though so the fish do not get stuck.

Don't use live sand...it's full of stuff that will die in FW and likely cause an ammonia spike and foul up the water.

I would personally do sand all over since it's easier to clean. If you have a HOB or canister just fill a mesh bag or nylon with the CC if you really need it for buffering.

She shells were hermit crab shells that my girl found - the Hermit crab.

THANKS for the tip... I have a HOB that I am planning on using with this system, just got a canister for my 55gal and LOVE IT. And I already have the sand so I guess since I already have it I will use it.

THANKS so much for all this info...My girl is looking for me some Texas Holly Rock while she is down there.


Just so I know WHAT is the substate in the Tang Lake?

 

[jpappy789]

If she could find some THR that would be awesome since to buy it from a collector it's not cheap. The julies will LOVE it.

I'm pretty sure it's sandy, but I could be wrong.

 

[austinpetemo]

here ill give you an insider tip, the cheapest place EVER to buy THR is in san antonio texas since thats where it comes from in that area. if she goes to san antonio there is a place called Keller Materials, you can find THR there for $.09 - $.15 per pound, and if you want the really nice bleached peices its usually $.48 per pound. cheap as dirt when you look at the pet stores chargeing like $4 a pound. also, have her check daves rare aquarium fish while there. its got a great tang stock, a little costly but its a great store.

 

[Pittbull]

Tanganyika is a sandy / rocky Biotope some plant life pretty much mimics the ocean minus the hard marine salt..

 

[jasonG75]

here ill give you an insider tip, the cheapest place EVER to buy THR is in san antonio texas since thats where it comes from in that area. if she goes to san antonio there is a place called Keller Materials, you can find THR there for $.09 - $.15 per pound, and if you want the really nice bleached peices its usually $.48 per pound. cheap as dirt when you look at the pet stores chargeing like $4 a pound. also, have her check daves rare aquarium fish while there. its got a great tang stock, a little costly but its a great store.

She's 11, lol And staying with my cousin for the summer. She is near the Houston area. They wont be going to SanAntonio I assure you so hopefully there is somewhere around there she can find some cheap for daddy.

 

[jasonG75]

OK guys I am pulling this post backup because there has been a change in plans.. The 30 gal that I was going to use for this had a crack in it so I threw it away (it was given to me) So I am going to use my spare 55 gal.

Here is the equipment

1.Penn Plax 1000
2.48" T5HO 108x 1x T5 54W 12000K lamp 1x T5 54W Actinic lamp ( I will replace the Actinic lamp)

And 2 of these. They are quiet big and they will cover the back wall nicely. I wasnt able to get THR like I had hoped, at least the kind I liked. LOL also it isnt 8.99, its 49.99.

So now I have to come up with a better list since now I have a BIGGER tank.

This was my original list...What can I add to it now?

Neolamprologus similis (6) multies
julidochromis transcriptus (6)
Altolamprologus calvus (1)

 

[Chrisinator]

I wouldn't get a T5HO (High Output) light for a cichlid tank unless you want algae..