Tanganyika 20 Gallon Thread

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djm5222

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 3, 2009
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Wisconsin
Hey Everyone!

I'm back after a long hiatus from this forum. You may remember me from a 55 gallon tanganyika tank that sprung a leak or the 14 gallon reef tank that went horribly wrong. I then attempted to switch the 14 gallon reef to just a 14 gallon planted but couldn't seem to get the growth I wanted or the shrimp to stay alive for some mysterious reason (RCS as well which is awful). That's all going to change this summer.

I'm getting back into the hobby with a 20 gallon long tanganyika tank. Tangs are truly my passion when it comes to fishkeeping. I've always wanted to set up the perfect aquarium. The main part of this thread to see if my skills have gotten any better over the years.

So, I want to start this aquarium with 7 fish, most likely. So far there is a Synodontis petricola and a Julidochromis marlieri in my 14 gallon planted since I saved them from a friend. Now, the fish I'm looking to buy would be 3 Shelldwellers of some sort (1m, 2f) and hopefully 2 more Petricola. I'm assuming I will be special ordering these from LittleAfricaAquatics since he has beautiful fish, and they are overly priced from around here.

I also want to try and keep this unknown crypt from my planted tank since it seems to be the only plant that actually grew and grew amazingly. The tank will be decorated with seiryu stone, sand, and 12 shells.

My questions would be: What type of sand do I use? How do I maintain no algae growth? What filter should I buy?
 
Pool filter sand is a cheap and good substrate. If you want to spend a little more (and it won't be too much with a smaller tank) then I'd recommend the Caribsea cichlid sand choices.

Algae thrives on nitrate so good tending of the tank will minimize it some. It will always be there however, so just clean it off the glass.

In a twenty long you can do a lot of smaller filters - hang on backs, sponge filter, and even smaller canisters like the Eheim 2211.

I'd suggest getting more that 3 shellies - six is a good number to increase the likely hood of a pair match. Hope you have better luck this time. Best way to do it is to do your research, stick to the ideal conditions for your fish (not the what can I get away with mentality), and ask lots of questions.
 
I might have sand lying around somewhere so that should work as well.

Algae has always been my nemesis, I just always seems to let it get too out of hand.

I know that Tangs are one of the more touchy species of cichlid. I think I'm going to start with a simple HOB filter and maybe upgrade to a canister. I'll look into the Eheim 2211.

Thank you. I've done my research and will continue doing my research. I pride myself on knowing Tangs since I think they are the most interesting type of cichlid.

Next question for everyone: What type of Shellie? I'm limited to whatever LittleAfricaAquatics has so that's the problem. This tank won't be up and running until summer since I'm currently up in college at the University of Minnesota.
 
Most of the shellies are similar in upkeep so a lot has to do with what you like and what Greg has when you're ready to order. I had multies and they are fun (and prolific). Also had melagris/strappersi and I really liked them. I think my next go may be occelatus or brevis.
 
Go with the multis, I just setup a 55 gallon that I will be putting all tanganyikan cichlid species in.
 
I will be paying attention to this thread, ironically I'm in the process of setting up a 20g tang tank and i go to umd!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Well, so I've officially started to put this tank together. I just bought a trio of Multis (1m, 2f) so hopefully those guys will start a small colony. However, my Julidochromis and Synodontis are very aggressive so I think I'm going to switch to a 29 gallon tank. (Probably the "Deluxe Kit" that they sell everywhere). I want to get one more top water fish to put in the tank, but I'm not sure what to get. Any suggestions?
 
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