Ideas Please!

[Bluedave]

ok, My Rekord 60 is empty at the minute and Chris (Eldest son) is bugging me to put something in it.

Wanted to do a mini reef job but even a tiny one is bloomin’ expensive. The wife has said I can set the tank back up but I can’t spend any money doing it!

So, a bit of a challenge!

Luckily, i have some gravel and rocks in the loft – the juwel tank has everything i need, so all we need is fish and plants. I could take some plant cuttings from the other tank and Chris says he will donate £10 of his Christmas money (of which there is only £10 left) for some more plants if necessary!

I’m thinking of African cichlids or similar with no plants (or very few) – something of a change for me as I can’t resist plants – but heh i’m on a budget with this one.

Are there any ‘smaller’ African cichlids that would be suitable for this tank – or could we keep just a pair (or 3 or 4) of something?

Doesn’t have to be african cichlids – these just came to mind due to lack of plants.

The tank is 2 foot by 1 foot by 1 foot – 60 litres, 12 UK Gallons with the juwel internal filter, so nothing too big and only about 20″-24″ of smallish fish.

Any ideas anyone?

[Eyrie]

I have that tank with a couple of pieces of bogwood and some amazon swords for decor. The fish are ember and green neon tetras with pygmy corydoras.

[Bigbadbaz]

Where are you based, if you are local to teesside I have some plants, might have some fish too.

[Bluedave]

Cheers for the offer mate, but i’m down in Dartford – only about 290 miles away if you fancy popping them down /thumbs_up.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:thumbsup:” border=”0″ alt=”thumbs_up.gif” />

[Bluedave]

I’ve had a good look about and was thinking along the lines of Lamprologus ocellatus or neolampralogus multifasciatus probs someting like 2 males and 5 females – sand substrate and a few shells maybe 1 or 2 anubias cuttings from the other tanks.

What do you think?

[Bigbadbaz]

I have a species only tank of multi’s, they are quite good to watch, you need one shell per fish plus a few more, the water needs to be buffered to 7.6 to 7.8, I use barnacle shells which also provide homes. If you get a very dominant male he will bully the other male to death so keep an eye on them. I have a load of links on them if you want more info

Baz

[Bluedave]

Cheers Baz,

Would love all the info you’ve got mate.

I set the tank up today, might need a few more rocks in the background and some more shells, but we are getting there. Just gotta decide on the type of shell dweller now. Got a few weeks to choose while the tank is cycling – didn’t realise how much multi’s are though!

Any ideas on species or any other advice would be most welcome.

Few pics, still waiting for the dust to settle.

[Bigbadbaz]

Will get my good lady to sort out all the links and will put them up for you..

[Bluedave]

Cheers mate, very much appreciated

#311933

[Bigbadbaz]

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/cichlid/shelldwellers.php
http://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=65
http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/foru…ead.php?t=26709
http://www.cichlidrecipe.com/shellweb/shell_species.htm

and this is what we use as a PH buffer
http://www.onlineshells.co.uk/barnacle-pieces-p-1147.html

all links provided my my good lady as I could not remember where they were 🙂

[Bluedave]

Cheers mate – some great links – not had a chance to read them in any detail, i’ll have to do that tomorrow!

I use RO and buffer with mineral salts so i shouldn’t need to worry too much about the barnacles.

Cheers for the info

#311938

[Bluedave]

Those links are brilliant Baz

One question – how big should the shells be?

The ones I have are just common garden snail shells, about 1″ across. The shells in the PFK link you gave look much larger than that.

Thinking of going for about 5 or 6 Lamprologus brevis, really like the look of them.

[Bigbadbaz]

You need escargot type shells, with brevis they both live in the shell. I got some brichardi from Chilton Aquatics yesterday, they are settling in well.

[stingrays4]

Hi nice looking little set up there Bluedave! Me got no knowledge on shell dwellers but always fancied trying me hand at’em so shall follow this closely /thumbs_up.gif” style=”vertical-align:middle” emoid=”:thumbsup:” border=”0″ alt=”thumbs_up.gif” />

[Matt]

I can’t recommend multis enough Dave; tonnes of personality and you’ll soon have a nice wee colony going if you feed them well. Great species to try if you’re new to African cichlids imo. Best of luck with whatever you choose and as said above I’m also looking forward to seeing this project develop.

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