African shellies tank setup

[trident]

Hi,
I am planning to setup a shellies tank and need input from experienced guys to help out.
Do I need to add salt?
Where can I find these shells? Saw some shell in the supermarket that are used for escagot, not sure if I can use these.
Can I mixed a few breeds of Lamprologus in the same tank?
How many AQ members keeping these shellies?

Thanks

[illumnae]

I think i read somewhere that you can use escargot shells as long as your fish can fit inside. Otherwise, you could also use the shells they sell for use with hermit crabs...those come in many different sizes

[doppelbanddwarf]

I think many hobbyists are using escargot shells. Eat them and then clean the shells thoroughly.
As for water hardness i think most people use coral chips.

[benny]

Have you seen outspoken's setup?

http://aquaticquotient.com/forum/sho...ighlight=shell

Cheers,

[wks]

Richard, you can pick up lots of big garden snails in the public parks. Well...... the rest you know what to do lah!

[trident]

Benny, yes I have seen bro outspoken shellies tank, sweet.

outspoken, where did you buy the shells from?

Jason, don't think garden snail shell look nice, taste awful too

Have just put the coral sand into the tank. I am trying to model after biotope's setup (Thio, hope you don't mind) sand, shell and black background.
It would be good if there are some tank mates, anyone knows what fish can be a good tank mate to the Lampologus caudopatatus?

Richard

[sheng]

Can use apple snail's shell

[CK Yeo]

Apple snail shell is a bit thin and will become brittle/ turn white when left in the water over a long period of time. The ones used for gardening tends to be a bit on the big side.

ck

[outspoken]

Trident,
i used to get my shells from CF but that was quite some time ago.You may want to try and ask them.Those shells are not pretty at sight but they still do the job and got it quite at a good price.Most of the more experience hobbyist use the escargot shells for their shellies.Sometimes when i bought their shellies, they will normally give me some shells as well.

I've been keeping shellies for almost a year but so far i haven't been lucky in breeding them.It's quite a challenge as it is totally the opposite of keeping Apistogramma in terms of water parameters and everything.

Biotope collections are impressive and hopefully they continue to bring in them because in singapore, it's not easy to find LFS that will bring in Shellies other than CF.

[trident]

outspoken.
Thanks, got a few more questions for you.
Do we need to add salt?
What tankmates can go with shellies?
I plan to start with the lamprologus caudopuntatus.
Richard

[sheng]

Some people do use salt mix to get the correct water parameter.
Alternative is to use coral chips or fine coral sands.

[trident]

Andrew,
I see, I am using fine coral sand now, so I guess there is no need for salt.
Got a photo of the tank, no shells yet.
Thanks
Richard

[Cardinals_Pride]

My guess is those salt buffer is it?

[valice]

That substrate looks real good for them to dig.
Maybe add some rocks? Your N.caudopunctatus can then also use it as a shelter if they decide that they want to move "house".

[Wackytpt]

Richard,

How big is your tank size?

Valice,

We can mix rocks and the shells together?

Is the rocks the type we use for planted tank? Or is it stone slates?

[genes]

Do use fine coral sand instead of those course ones. If not you will not see this interesting sieving behaviour.

[trident]

Nic, Vincent,
The tank is 1'x1'x16"(H).
Substrate is fine coral sand.
I got a cave and some rocks ready, waiting for the shells.
I guess we can use rocks as outspoken did his very nicely.
The Neolampologus caudopuntatus are shell spawners, so I guess more shell are needed.

Eugene, nice picture of the L. signatus. I was debating whether to get the L. signatus or the N. caudopuntatus and
in the end the N. caudopuntatus won me over.
Richard

[valice]

Valice,

We can mix rocks and the shells together?

Is the rocks the type we use for planted tank? Or is it stone slates?

Why not?
Lake Tanganyika biotope tanks containing Tropheus sp. usually are scaped based on rocks. You want to use limestone rocks or whatever rocks also can since now, the water conditions should be hard anyway.

Do use fine coral sand instead of those course ones. If not you will not see this interesting sieving behaviour.

This shot is cool!

[Wackytpt]

Eugene,

I love that Shot!

[Quixotic]

The tank is 1'x1'x16"(H).
Substrate is fine coral sand.
I got a cave and some rocks ready, waiting for the shells.
I guess we can use rocks as outspoken did his very nicely.
The Neolampologus caudopuntatus are shell spawners, so I guess more shell are needed.

Hmm... Not sure if the tank size would be a problem, but the literatures all recommend at least a 20 gallon tank for a pair of N. caudopuntatus. They are not exactly shell dwellers but will readily spawn in shells, or in caves.

You can try the Cookie Cutter from www.cichlid-forum.com on stocking recommendations and tank mates.