New shellie tank...too much sand?

[wesley41]

I am in the process of setting up a 20 gal long Multifasciatis tank. I put in 30 pounds of a mix of cichlid sand and aragonite yesterday...no cycle started yet. The mixed sand bed measures around 3" in the tank. It looks good but I've read that too much sand could be problematic due to pockets of toxic gas being released at a later time. 

 

Is this too much sand? Will the shellies constant digging eliminate the problem early on? I can easily remove some now without any damage to beneficial bacteria...since there is none.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Tony s]

probably not going to happen. multis love to dig. you didn't think you were doing the aquascaping?🤣 but if they pile it too deep in spots, just run the handle end of a net through it. release any trapped gasses. also, watch the decor, they may dig too much from under it and make it unstable. have fun with the multis!

[wesley41]

Thanks Tony. I do have those rocks on egg crate and they're very stable. As for the rest of the tank decor, I know it's all Multie as soon as they start to do their thing. Thanks for the tip about the net handle...will do.

[mynameisnobody]

I’ve had shellies for years and they are little bulldozers. Personally I’d remove some of that substrate, it’s a bit excessive. Use it for another tank or future tank. 

[Tony s]

On 4/5/2024 at 3:43 PM, mynameisnobody said:

shellies

shellies vs multis. I like it. I think that's a regional talking of the multifasciatis. Same animal different name. never heard of it being called shellies around here, but multis😄

On 4/5/2024 at 3:43 PM, mynameisnobody said:

Personally I’d remove some of that substrate

yes, but they'd end up with a bare bottom on one side. with 12" plie on the other🤣

Edited April 5 by Tony s