New scape - what do you think?

I got a new 40-litre 2-foot shallow tank at the weekend and I've been playing around with some rocks to make a scape what do you think? The box is the lid from the tank so has the same footprint, my plan is to have a pair of Shell Dwellers from Lake Tanganyika in here either Neolamprologus Brevis or Ornatipinnis - not sure which one yet.

Behind the rocks I want to get quite a bit of Vallisnera Nana and in the rocks, I may grow some small Anubias or Bucephalandra but not sure yet. I've also managed to order some Neothauma Tanganyicense shells - oddly from a store in Italy... but they are en-route now so excited to see them. I've also got some other snail shells but I think these will be a bit too small for the fish to use.




Let me know what you think

Wills

Wow! That’s a really nice aquascape, and I think it will look great with some plants on the rocks!

Can't wait for this! Both types are lovely, I don't see either very often though, it's usually the multis that are available. Am I right in thinking they're avid little diggers? How will you stop them digging up the Vall?

The scape looks fab, those rocks were made to fit together it seems!

CaptainBarnicles said:

Can't wait for this! Both types are lovely, I don't see either very often though, it's usually the multis that are available. Am I right in thinking they're avid little diggers? How will you stop them digging up the Vall?

The scape looks fab, those rocks were made to fit together it seems!

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From what I've read Brevis are not big diggers like Multis and Similis - not sure on Ornatipinnis so maybe that will help make the choice? But quite a few Tanganyikan tanks seem to be able to have some plants.

Wharf Aquatics have both in stock at the moment and usually carry 5-6 species of Shell Dweller so planning to go there I'd really like to find Brevis Sun Spot for that bit of colour, Ornatipinnis can vary quite a lot in terms of patterns on the fins so that might swing it on they day as I go to choose.

I have basic knowledge on shell dwellers but my eye is always drawn to signatus. I really like the colours on those but again, don't see them often.

I really must bribe Mr Barnicles for a road trip back to Wharfs totally took it for granted living so close!...

Wills said:

From what I've read Brevis are not big diggers like Multis and Similis - not sure on Ornatipinnis so maybe that will help make the choice? But quite a few Tanganyikan tanks seem to be able to have some plants.

Wharf Aquatics have both in stock at the moment and usually carry 5-6 species of Shell Dweller so planning to go there I'd really like to find Brevis Sun Spot for that bit of colour, Ornatipinnis can vary quite a lot in terms of patterns on the fins so that might swing it on they day as I go to choose.

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I've got similis. Besides creating small "valleys" where their shell is, there is not much digging. I've got dwarf sag thriving in their tank.

Wills said:

I got a new 40-litre 2-foot shallow tank at the weekend and I've been playing around with some rocks to make a scape what do you think? The box is the lid from the tank so has the same footprint, my plan is to have a pair of Shell Dwellers from Lake Tanganyika in here either Neolamprologus Brevis or Ornatipinnis - not sure which one yet.

Behind the rocks I want to get quite a bit of Vallisnera Nana and in the rocks, I may grow some small Anubias or Bucephalandra but not sure yet. I've also managed to order some Neothauma Tanganyicense shells - oddly from a store in Italy... but they are en-route now so excited to see them. I've also got some other snail shells but I think these will be a bit too small for the fish to use.

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Let me know what you think

Wills

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Ah what good timing i have to come back on here, a new Wills scape looking forward to seeing more, you d man

Looks great, and adds interest and suspense with that overhang. It’ll be good.

Ooh that looks good. Can’t wait to see it all set up with the shellies in it.

I like those rocks and I like the height you will get which is difficult to achieve.

Thanks everyone really glad people like it! I'm really chuffed with the rocks, they are just bits I've not used in my big tank on my most recent scape, previously these were all in there and there are a bunch more I've not used - I'd been messing around for a few days not really getting anywhere and then a few bits just clicked together and gave me the overhang bit which I've not had before. I suppose I'm trying to do an Iwagumi layout and taking advantage of the barren nature of Lake Tanganyika so I'm not disturbing the fish but I am going to plant with the Vallis Nana too and the tank is likely to get a covering of Duck Weed because its in my other tanks and its super likely it will just migrate eventually.

This is the tank that these rocks are going in - I did grab a small 1.5 gallon when I went to Horizon to get the bigger tank, figured its a long trip always fancied one but not sure what I want to do with it yet (no fish obvs).

I am in love with those tanks. i think the one on the right in that picture is a "bookshelf" tank right? I want one of those so bad. I think it will be my next project too haha! can't wait to see how yours turn out!

moonmist said:

I am in love with those tanks. i think the one on the right in that picture is a "bookshelf" tank right? I want one of those so bad. I think it will be my next project too haha! can't wait to see how yours turn out!

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I'd call this a shallow or a flat tank rather than a bookcase - bookcase tanks are usually less than 30cm front to back where as this is 60x40x20cm. I needed a flat tank here as the way the ceiling slopes nothing else fits - I did try a 60x35x35 but it was too tall.

Shells and light fitting should be here next week - light is a Chihiros A Series which I have on my other shallow tank and it does a great job despite being a budget range - just £35 delivered from China!

Wills

I got an order of genuine Neothauma Tanganyicense shells today - I found them on an Italian website called Emerald Aquatics - quite expensive over all with delivery but well worth it. They are really unique shells not seen much else like them really.



Added to the scape



Then transferred it all to the tank. Will need to take the shells and small rocks out when I add the sand but like the effect so far.



Just waiting to get the light fitting, need to add the sand and also find somewhere selling enough Vallis Nana and we should be away

Wills

Beautiful shells have you decided on the species yet? What did you find at Wharfs? I wonder if those shells will stay where you want them, I have a feeling the fish may do some redecorating!