Lake Tanganyika 38 Gallon

[Boundava2 2]

I have a 38 gallon tank that I'm going to set up a biotope tank with some of the smaller cichlids found in Lake Tanganyika.

Inhabitants

For the Julidochromis:
I like the transcriptus, ornatus, or dickfeldi; in order of desirability-lol.

For the shellies:

• I am hoping for the Lamprologus ocellatus as they are small (2.3") and peaceful community shellies, plus they burry their shells in the sand and build a tube entrance. This is good in case a julie decides to come looking for snacks.
• Alternately Neolamprologus brevis are an option and seem to be more common. They are a little larger at 2.4" for males. However males are more territorial, and it is recommended to have 3 female to 1 male ratio. Unfortunately they are hard to sex, so I will have to buy more and select the ratios later.

Water Parameters

Core Water Parameters from Lake Tanganyika:

• pH: 8.0 to 9.0
• General Hardness (GH): 12°dGH to 15
• °dGH (approx. 180 to 230 ppm)
• Carbonate Hardness (KH/Alkalinity): 16°dKH to 19°dKH (approx. 280 to 340 ppm)
• Temperature: 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C)
• Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: < 20 ppm

Winthrop Harbor receives its tap water from Lake Michigan, treated by the Lake County Public Water District. Because it originates from the Great Lakes, the water is moderately hard but relatively stable in its pH and alkalinity.

• pH Level: Typically ranges between 7.5 and 8.5.
• GenerHardness: Ranges between 120 to 150 mg/L (ppm), which is equivalent to about 7 to 9 grains per gallon (gpg).
• Carbonate Hardness (KH/Alkalinity): The treated water typically has a carbonate alkalinity level of approximately 100 to 120 ppm (roughly 6 to 7 dKH).

So it's relatively close, and the reason why so many keep cichlids in the area and why Chicago has cichlid society; GCCA.

So the supplies needed for the setup are relatively straightforward.

• Tank & lid, have and have
• Light... I have 2 options I already own, so will see which works best
• Substrate, will be a fine aragonite sand - most likely the Caribsea Aragmax sugar sand
• Rocks: either lace rock, seiryu stone or elephant rock. May also get a shelf of Florida coral rock for the other rocks to sit on, depending on how thin of a piece I can find in the store.
• Heat: I have a Finnex heater I used in the tank previously
• Current: I have a Hydor current maker that was also previously used on the tank
• Filtration: Have an Eheim Pro 400+ canister filter I will set up just to ensure pristine water clarity. May be overkill but I might get some crushed coral to help buffer.
• Plants: Vals, hornwort and water lettuce are actually found in the lake and would be easy to get and would work in the tank Was looking at some crypt possibilities but of the 3-4 limestone varieties there size is questionable for the tank, and they are more root feeders and I'm not sure how well they would do.
• Misc: shells for the shellies, probably escargot shells.

Not sure when this will all come together, it's in the planning stages now.

 

[gwand43 160]

In my Lake Tanganyikan tank I have a family of J. transcriptus Gombe, a colony of N. multifasciatus and two insular dwarf A. compressiceps. The water has TDS ranging between 450-550 ppm. It’s a really fun tank.

 

[Boundava2 2]

Cool, any pics?

 

[gwand43 160]

Cool, any pics?

 

[Boundava2 2]

They are adorable. What a mug on the dwarf A. compressiceps. The boss of the tank, lol.

I see an assortment of plants, some looking like crypts?

 

[gwand43 160]

They are adorable. What a mug on the dwarf A. compressiceps. The boss of the tank, lol.

I see an assortment of plants, some looking like crypts?

Yes crypts, Vallisneria, swords and Anubis.

 

[Boundava2 2]

Thinking about it and seeing diving videos, I am going to omit plants in the tank. I probably will have a plant soaking its roots, for any nutrients. I have seen people use mints in ponds, so might try that instead of a pothos.

Also going to take advantage of the fact that the tank is empty to make some fake rocks in a segmented background that will include the back, bottom and side of the tank. Will be painting the back a greenish blue to replicate the color of the lake.

Looking forward to this as I love this crafty (artsy-fartsy) stuff!

 

[Boundava2 2]

Used to be members of a fish club in southern IL called Greenwater Aquatic Society. Still get emails from them and they have a swap on the 20th. One of the vendors is Nationwide Aquatics, we are familiar with them because we have purchased (Asian) eels from them before. Just for poops and giggles I looked up their stock list and they have a lake Tanganyikan eel in stock; Mastacembelus Albomaculatus, qty 1 for $125. What a coincidence! Of course their main food is fry, they max at 8" so are perfect size for shells and crevasses, lol.

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