My New Set-up

[fishwatcher]

I am planning on having a pair of brevis and a trio of multis in my 20g. It will have sand and shells, of course.
I am thinking of adding a few chunks of tufa rock, along with maybe a few clay pots stacked up in the center of the tank to break up the shellies and adding a pair of julidochromis ornatus or transcriptus, since they live in the rocky areas.
Do you think they'd be ok together? The lfs said yes, but you know how much we can trust them....

So, what's the verdict?
If no, are the any top-dwellers that would work in the same water as the shellies?
Thanks!

 

[dthoffsett]

I've never kept shellies, but I'm pretty sure you can have top dwelling fish with them. You might PM stang, I know she keeps shellies.

 

[fishwatcher]

One other quick question, as far as substrate goes, would black sand work? Specifically it's called Aqua Terra, and I got it at Super Pets. I don't know if it's silica or not.
Thank you!
(I'll try to PM Stang... thanks!)

ETA: do I need to add something under the sand before I add any rock, or do I just add rock on top of the sand? Thanks!

 

[Waterbox]

I don't think silica really matters. If it has silica you would have to rinse it really well before putting it in the tank, but since you got it from a pet store I dont think you even need to rinse it. You might as well though.

As far as the rocks, I think I remember it is best to build your rock structures on the bare glass bottom of the tank, make sure they are really sturdy and free standing, then add all your sand. Some of the rock will be buried, but no matter how much your fish dig in the sand underneath the rocks they won't move or collapse.

Too bad the tank isnt a little bigger, or you might be able to get some Cyprichromis in there. I dont know what other kind of top dwellers are good for the tank though.

Good luck with your set-up! Im anxious to know how it goes keep posting.

 

[fishwatcher]

There is regular play sand already in the tank, so I'm hoping I won't have to replace it.
I'm going to be adding tufa/lace rock so that should help with the ph.
The rock sitting directly on the glass won't break it? That's my biggest concern... a shattered tank.
Should I put some kind of foam underneath it or anything? I have a sheet of pink polystyrene foam that I used under one of my tanks (it sits directly on the stand without a lip around it), but I don't know if that would be bad for the tank.
Any ideas about this?
Thanks!!

 

[dthoffsett]

There is regular play sand already in the tank, so I'm hoping I won't have to replace it.
I'm going to be adding tufa/lace rock so that should help with the ph.
The rock sitting directly on the glass won't break it? That's my biggest concern... a shattered tank.
Should I put some kind of foam underneath it or anything? I have a sheet of pink polystyrene foam that I used under one of my tanks (it sits directly on the stand without a lip around it), but I don't know if that would be bad for the tank.
Any ideas about this?
Thanks!!

I wouldn't worry about the glass, I have 140lbs on the bare bottom in my tank, and could add more without any problems. You can keep the sand you have in the tank, just push it out of the way to set your rocks, and then mound the sand around it.

 

[fishwatcher]

Alrighty then... thanks a bunch!
I'll find out Saturday exactly which kind and when I'll be getting my shellies! Can't wait!!