Need Advice For Setting Up A Shell Dwellers Tank

[FishySarah]

Well, I have a bunch of guppies and a few tetras in a 29 gallon tank, and I've been meaning to move them into my three new ten gallon tanks once I finish cycling.

I was wondering what to do with the empty 29 gallon. I want to do something completely different from fish I've had in the past.

After reading quite a bit, and rejecting many possibilities, I think I've decided on the fish I want. I want to set up a colony of Neolamprologus Multifasciatus- shell dwellers.

I have been googling these fish online for the past 3 hours, but I still have some questions.

1. So I know I need to change over to sand in my main tank. I assume that if I go into the lfs and ask for sand they can give me the right kind? and how deep should the sand be? (I can put the gravel from the big tank into the smaller tanks- I bet that will help the cycles in there go even faster, right?)

2. Do I need to recycle the 29 gallon when I change to sand?

3. I don't know anything about cichilds at all. I'm assuming I need to keep track of hardness and pH which I never did before. How do I adjust the pH of my tank and keep it steady with water changes, and do I need to buffer?

4. Exactly how many shells do I need per fish?

5. How many should I start with? I want to leave plenty of room in case (as I hope) they start to breed. I'm thinking maybe starting with five or six? Or would you recommend more or less than that?

6. When/if they do have fry, is culturing brine shrimp an absolute neccessity or can I get away with special powdered food or frozen bbs?

7. Is there anything else I need to know?

I'm planning on ordering shells online from a cichlid breeding site, so I know they will be suitable.

Also, if anyone has experience with these fish, or any idea why this might not work, let me know- oh yeah, for filtration on the 29 gal I have a Aqua Clear 50. Is that ok?

Thanks!

Oh, and I'm thinking either a species only tank, or possibly adding a few zebra danios, as the sites I read say they are good with them.

 

[Truck]

1. So I know I need to change over to sand in my main tank. I assume that if I go into the lfs and ask for sand they can give me the right kind? look for silver sand or play sand and how deep should the sand be? 1.5" (I can put the gravel from the big tank into the smaller tanks- I bet that will help the cycles in there go even faster, right?) no

2. Do I need to recycle the 29 gallon when I change to sand? no aslong as the new fish are going in on the same day

3. I don't know anything about cichilds at all. I'm assuming I need to keep track of hardness and pH which I never did before. How do I adjust the pH of my tank and keep it steady with water changes, and do I need to buffer? you can use a bit of coral or some limestone