How To set up a Lake Tanganyika African Cichlid Aquarium 🐠 Shell Dwellers 🐠 Cyprichromis

In todays video, i be setting up a Lake Tanganyika African Cichlid aquarium. This tank will be for my shell dwellers (neolamprologus multifasciatus) and my cyprichromis (cyprichromis leptosoma speckleback moba). I will go over costs of setting up the tank, hopefully showing you how to setup an African Cichlid tank inexpensively. Will cover some Odyssey led lights that can be found on ebay (topdogseller). It will be a true Lake Tanganyika Biotope. I hope you enjoy this fish tank and be sure to subscribe to see future updates.
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Shake It by Crystal Parker (crystalparkerstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

[@richysoto6332]

The tank behind you is amazing !! 👍

[@DebTim]

HI Bob.. fun to watch.. I love the cost effectiveness! These guys are really interesting to watch.. Nice share Bob.. have a great weekend!!

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Thank you Deb =) Hope you have a great weekend too =)

[@daveesito15]

love the upload Bob ! thanks for sharing !

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Thank you David =)

[@iamlegend712]

Wow!! The Algae on your shells look amazing!!

[@danielcary8929]

That tank at the very end looked amazing!

[@ssrs28]

simple, cost effective and crisp set up 👍

[@russellbeach3207]

Love the intro Bob ! Looking forward to the updates.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

THanks Russell, did you find a good spot for that calendar?

[@russellbeach3207]

Why yes I did thank you ! I hope things are going good for you. I look forward to your videos, hoping I can make it back to your livestreams real soon !!

[@brocksmall7522]

That intro was great. Good job 👍🏼

[@NotAngelRimes]

You know i loved this video!

[@cindyluroman7238]

I'd love to see the update...love these little fish... getting me some on the 29th,

[@Dovietail]

I likes the cool white and blue light much better for these fish!

[@iLive2Ride76]

Beautiful shell dwellers.

[@dangobycon5664]

Thanks Bob great video, love the ideas for keeping it affordable. Now on to your 240 gallon hopefully.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

I am slowly bulding up an army of people to help, so hopefully not too much longer =)

[@pugamusmaximus]

That was awesome. I need to get multies soon

[@constancemacallister2389]

Love your new intro!

[@josh1000100]

Love that animation!!

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Glad you like it, makes me chuckle =)

[@mechanicalbees7698]

I LOVE LOVE your intros!

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Thank you =)

[@COOPERSCICHILDS]

excellent video

[@pavilionend8637]

awesome tank

[@4677estrella]

Nice tanks man!

[@italianstalion0102]

love the intro Bob 😁 keep it up!

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Thank you =)

[@oriondewitt]

Been waiting for these guys' new tank! I set up a tank for some Multies and they had some fry a couple days ago.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Orion Always sweet seeing fry come out of those shells :)

[@oriondewitt]

Steenfott Aquatics Definitely man! Here in Indiana no one has them, so it took my like 7 months to track some down. Now that I'm breeding them I'm hoping to get some more people into Shellies in my area.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

They are really popular right now since Joey and Rachel both did videos about them =) They are selling super fast these days

[@oriondewitt]

Steenfott Aquatics Dude! I just got 5 Multies for $15! Deal of a lifetime.

[@arnodrijfhout3858]

😂I LOVE your new intro!!

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Super happy people are enjoying it =)

[@fishpersonvblogs1241]

"We're gonna need a bigger net!"- Cyprochromis 1972 movie

[@TylerAkers88]

Awesome set up. I have the exact same; shellies and cyps.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Sweet, they are a perfect match.

[@tylersfishtanks1799]

love that opening

[@SteenfottAquatics]

THanks Tyler, glad people are enjoying it =)

[@bilalelhlimi2728]

the new intro is awesome.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Glad you like, im never sure how these will go over =)

[@ryanvipond7994]

nice fish

[@DankTanks]

The animation is coolz

[@michaeltette7869]

Finally got bristlenose eggs thanks for all the help bob

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Michael Tette Sweeeet :)

[@PincheMigs]

Every time I see shellies I am so tempted to set up a tank for them lol. I think watching their behavior would be really enjoyable.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

They are really great fish, i would recommend everyone keep them at least once =)

[@calebsrccrawlers]

No way, you did the sponge bob thing I mentioned in one the previous videos, freakin awesome, made me Laugh.

[@skoskur2271]

nice of Cory to be in your intro ;)

[@SteenfottAquatics]

skoskur lol :)

[@abelstropicalfruit8647]

skoskur no Cory’s teeth are worse.

[@fishdad1chadh227]

Nice tank bob

[@SteenfottAquatics]

THank you Chad =)

[@occasionalaquatics7818]

I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling to catch fish.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

It's always a pain

[@mammav2]

The caveman grunt at the end made me giggle!

[@sethmoore8812]

The Shellie's are beautiful I'm probably going start a tank of them. The crypt is so beautiful do you know where to get one online maybe?

[@JITKanno0]

wow, those rainbows look huge... how big are they?

[@daviddiaz949]

cool shell dwellers my brothers got a 75 gallon mbuna tank with a lot of giant river rock. I myself am more of a tetras and south american cichlid guy plus keeping the water hard is a pain. shell dwellers are cool tho

[@lukeg7185]

Nice intro :)

[@SteenfottAquatics]

THanks =)

[@jasontatro]

Hey Bob...in your experience, does Val grow in pool filter sand?

[@craigsfreshwaterfishplants9426]

The plastic tops, does it limit the light? Do you get the same color? Is the light bright enough to grow plants and just watch the live stock? or is more for grow out tanks, where you just basically feed everyday.

[@FishRoomFever]

Hi Bob

[@michaelwolfe5276]

hi, how many shell dwellers can i house in my 29gallon please, and can i add any small brighter africans in to give it a bit more colour.

[@advicer1]

I never get green algae on my shells. It’s been 2 years and only get brown algae. Maybe I feed them too much?

[@thetalkingelement2415]

Does the shell dweller community need to be all the same species, for a harmonious community?

[@michaelwells3635]

Where did you get the shells?

[@carlosvarela3571]

Is there an update vid to this? Is this still your preferred multi tank set up?

[@triple10tanks10]

Not sure what was better the intro or the shellies

[@SteenfottAquatics]

I am glad people are enjoying the intro, wasnt sure how that would go over =)

[@daviddiaz949]

for the native tank im wondering if you got pygmy sunfish were your at cause there pretty cool you should check them out.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

+David diaz no pygmy fish here. But I do have some in a 30g tank.

[@daviddiaz949]

cool do you have a video on them

[@daviddiaz949]

thats cool where i live in Illinois we have sunfish and maby some blue gills in the spring and summer also a lot of catfish do have a video of them? sorry to bother you so much on the comments their really isnt much people i can ask aquarium hobby questions out in the countryside were i live.

[@tinadoyle3803]

Oh so you can put fish into brand new set up with new sponges ?

[@adamsazaquatics3079]

Could you leave a link to that light for 40$ I can't find it by the name of addasey in eBay

[@EndlarStudios]

Just set up a tank with sand some simple plants/rocks, I am getting shells but its a pain to get the Cichlids I have to order them online

[@MichaelScreamMachineEvans]

Atlanta Aquarium Club not the Association....I have a 55 gallon Available for pickup now

[@buringfyra]

I had a dream last night that you put your Cyprichromis in a tube to put them in a new tank. lol

[@SteenfottAquatics]

You're dreaming about me..... DREAMBOAT AQUATICS!!!!!!

[@T0tenkampf]

No matter the quality of the heater, I always split my heater wattage between 2 heaters. That way you have to have a double failure to cook anything.

[@kathleenmonsegue9700]

My pool filter sand is white in color, but its grain is coarse and with some little pebbles, is that ok? I have also poured in the same tank prior two 20lb bags worth of African cichlid substrate, so you can see it on the bottom and the pool filter sand on top. The African cichlid substrate has some really small volcanic rock pieces.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Should work well :)

[@kathleenmonsegue9700]

@@SteenfottAquatics would the neolamprologus multifasciatus be able to move that sand around and build their lil sand hills?

[@dabakrada5077]

Aqueon Heaters are garbage. I purchased about 12 over a two year period and 25 percent of them either failed to work or overheated the tank after about a year. If you want a quality heater get an Ehiem heater, they were great 30 years ago and they are still great today.

[@perthcichlids5663]

We're gonna need a Bigger net!

[@73Mooner]

What do you do regarding the PH?

[@carlodewit4658]

fish disco yeah

[@daviddiaz949]

is that bolbitis in your 75gallon if so did you buy it as a small plant or bulb and how hard are they to grow

[@SteenfottAquatics]

David diaz Yup it's bolbitus. I grow it in alot of my tanks so I just cut it and move it. its really easy to grow, its just a really slow grower.

[@valdis913]

👍

[@adamsazaquatics3079]

Lol your intro 😂😂😂

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Right!!! Makes me chuckle everytime.

[@josikia6245]

Can a Clown Pleco live in a 10 gallon shell dweller tank

[@CaptainSavageAquatics]

Great video Bob! I enjoyed the animation at the beginning! The shellies are cool! I'm looking into starting shelly tank possibly obviously bigger is better! But, what height tank would you suggest? Thanks!

[@brendanostrowski9836]

Brian Corcoran's Aquatics probably at least 20 inches tall depending on substrate depth this might might differ

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Brian Corcoran's Aquatics Shellies are bottom dwellers. you really dont need much height. the 50 gallon lowboy they were in was only ten inches. ive kept them in about every tank size possible with no issues.

[@CaptainSavageAquatics]

Thanks, Bob for the info! I truly appreciate it!

[@CaptainSavageAquatics]

Thanks, Brendan Ostrowski! I really appreciate it!

[@nickschmitz7044]

has anyone ever watched someone getting a tooth pulled??? Well watch this video and you will know exactly what that is like. That being said it is a very informative video on shell dwellers

[@Maxmgm212.]

Eheim is a cheap heater. my aqueon pro heater gave out on me the first week. Get titanium and a controller regardless of the heater you have.

[@wkunique]

I don't know like the others, but I close my eyes ...

[@stephen-truthseeker]

I thought there was a way of testing Rocks and wood to see if there harmful?

[@dr.geonigermansoundaram6405]

Tank mates of shell dwellers??

[@SecularSoutherner504]

Do you sell any of your shell swellers?

[@kenwagner5941]

Where do you get that Lexan you use for tops?

[@brendanostrowski9836]

Ken Wagner I know that manards has it but I imagine you can get it from any hard where store

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Ken Wagner I get it from home depot :)

[@BigCajun]

Who do you consider to be the best shrimp specialist?

[@michaelagostino3483]

Love the Caveman! It's you, it's MOIST!

[@brendanostrowski9836]

Michael Agostino ewwww he said M O I S T

[@SteenfottAquatics]

lol, glad my subs have a good sense of humor =)

[@Junjuncabral1976]

Really nice shelly tank. I just got a 3 brevis...hoping to have a pair :)

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Nice, i love Brevis too, hopefully you got a good trio =)

[@apolloravindran]

I know it's a old video but what did you feed your cyps?

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Flake, frozen, and freeze dried foods, various types

[@connorwinfield195]

so Bob, what breed of fish did you give Corey?

[@connorwinfield195]

nvm

[@SteenfottAquatics]

=)

[@fishpersonvblogs1241]

Nice intro! How much do she'll dwellers go for normally?

[@brendanostrowski9836]

FishPerson Vblogs the wet spot has multis for 15$

[@fishpersonvblogs1241]

Brendan Ostrowski Thanks. Wait... One is 15 or a school is 15?

[@brendanostrowski9836]

FishPerson Vblogs depending on size from the wet spot 10-15 dollars each

[@SteenfottAquatics]

FishPerson Vblogs try to find a local breeder. I got mine for $7. but retail is gonna be a bit more.

[@fishpersonvblogs1241]

Cool Thanks everybody!!!

[@lovinmzre]

Do you ever get a 10 - 15 minute panic mode once you put them in a new tank? I just moved one of my goldfish last night into a larger tank and watching her/his reaction and darn near panicked when at first it didn't seem to be reacting well. I was like, "Oh my god did I just kill my fish?!" lol. But all is well. Just took a few minutes before he/she realized there was a LOT more room to roam!

[@mikekupetsky6879]

are these cyprichromis blind??

[@marianneyoung3295]

hi im not sure if it was just that I had my turtles in the 55 gallon for years and the seams had to be redone it rotted away

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Marianne Young there are some turtles that like to chew on silicone

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

are those lights from top dog, new or used?

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Some are used, some are new. I havent had any issues buying used lights from him.

[@Deon0026yickadee]

No reptile aquarium gotcha and did you pre rinse the sand? looks clear

[@brendanostrowski9836]

Deon 0026 he probably did but h also is using two sponge filters to and they are good at clearing up the water colum.

[@Deon0026yickadee]

Brendan Ostrowski sponge filters work great huh thanks mate good morning and cool talking

[@brendanostrowski9836]

Deon 0026 thanks have a good morning yourself

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Deon 0026 nope, dont have to pre rinse this sand. comes nice and clean:)

[@Deon0026yickadee]

Steenfott Aquatics thats truly amazing

[@lostinauniverse8713]

i agree that heaters should not be shorted on, but i had the aqueon pro and had 3 go bad; all for different reasons (1st water into the heating chamber, 2nd heater temp wouldn't turn on unless set to 80, 3rd would never turn on) so before i went to marineland and it's night and day in the quality. Just my opinion

[@SteenfottAquatics]

Ben dover its ridiculous how poor all the brands are really. Ive had a few marinelands burn up on me :( companies just produce crap so you have to buy more

[@carlheller6648]

Will you do any Discus Fish?

[@SteenfottAquatics]

At this point i have no plans too. But who knows what will happen down the road. They are awesome fish, just currently there are other fish i want more.

[@georgehliston]

please help, are assassin snails OK in my plated tank ? will they eat the plants or shrimp ???? help quick !!!

[@brendanostrowski9836]

George Liston generally assassin snails ate good in the tank for many reasons such as getting rid of pest snails. They might pick off some of the shrimp bug your plants should be fine.

[@georgehliston]

OK thanks

[@SteenfottAquatics]

As Brendan said, you should be ok, i am always amazed how a shrimp can let a snail catch it, but it happens.

[@georgehliston]

Yeah that is exactly what I thought ,ha

[@anthonyragan2696]

Cemex is the big Mexican gravel/cement company. I've made good money investing in them. Their product should be in almost every home improvement chain.

[@perthcichlids5663]

How funny was the hairy guy .. Pmsl

[@SteenfottAquatics]

It's just an animated version of me =)

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Do you reseal used tanks?

[@SteenfottAquatics]

If they need it. I usually test used tanks in the garage for about a month. But you can usually tell if the silicone is in bad shape. Resealing is pretty easy, just takes a ton of time.

[@ambientsoundsz]

is that patton oswalt

[@presouz1740]

Letgo and close5 app too

[@oriondewitt]

What kind of sponge filter is that?

[@brendanostrowski9836]

Orion I think it's the XY-2831 Air Pump Sponge Filter for Aquarium I think they come in different sizes.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

THat would be the one, they are a bit too dense for my liking, but still work.

[@PULAG]

Bro..did you boil rocks..? Lol

[@nickferdinande1646]

Omg I can't find anyone who can get these awesome fish! I'm desperate! I have two 50 gallon low boys I want to set up. Can anyone tell this dummy where I can order these fish?

[@SteenfottAquatics]

The wet spot tropical fish in Portland might have them.

[@PsychoticAquatics]

Booooobbbb!!!!! Sell me some multis!!!! I can't find them locally and I'm going nuts trying to get a decent price online. Help a brother out!!! Thanks...let me know if you can spare 6-8 to get my 30 long going 😁

[@hamish7813]

the shellies are gonna dwellies

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

You don't buy coral Sand? Best way to go. Except for baking soda an stuff like that.

[@SteenfottAquatics]

+Zacks Tanks Crazy Aquarium Guy that stuff is pretty expensive around here :(

[@CrazyAquariumGuy]

Steenfott Aquatics I See... It is expensive here to. But I am going to through in 90 pounds inte the new Fahaka Tank. ! 😊

[@brennanfranklin6828]

Or just dont get a heater.. My father has 3 60 gallons, all have cichlids and he hasnt used a heater in 3 years

[@brendanostrowski9836]

Well bob, maybe you would be better at catching fish of you did it like Cory said to lol.