Spiny's 29 gallon bubble shell tank

by **spinycheek** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:02 pm

I originally was going to make this a sea grass tank, but then I got more interested in housing bubble shells (Hydatina amplustre and Micromelo undata). So I have a 5.5 inch sand bed for the grass, but I decided to leave it in there anyways. This won't be a pristine coral tank or anything, in fact most people would probably find it pretty ugly, but I will love it. I want to get some turf algae rocks going and a rubble base to support Cirratulid worms which are the exclusive food of these particular bubble shells.

Here are some pictures of the tank and stand:

Here are the bubble shells I want to get:

Micromelo undata

Hydatina amplustre:

**Sponsor**

by **skinz78** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:06 pm

Looking good Spiny, why couldn't you do a layer effect and have the seagrass in the back?

How soon are you going to buy some worms to culture?

by **spinycheek** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:11 pm

I suppose I could layer, I just most of the room dedicated to worm culture. I will probably still get some sprigs of grass. Still waiting on my first wave of equipment to get in, then I need to make my light hood and get some live rock.

Not sure how long away the worms are. Just had to spend a few hundred dollars on vet bills for my sick cat, so that will probably delay this for a little bit.

Website · by **chris&barb** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:38 pm

Awesome spiny. Cant wait to see this go together. Those bubble shells are gorgeous and when you get it together and have your worms im going to show it to Barb and i bet when she see them she will want some

by **spinycheek** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:19 am

Just put in my GFCI outlet. I figure since I always avoid safety precautions, I'm overdue. Installing it was actually way easier than I'd envisioned.

by **tommo** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:53 pm

Looks great Spiny

Sensational pics mate WOW.

GFCI outlets/RCD's etc etc , earth fault protection devices.
I have a theory , i could be wrong or right. But i'll keep you all informed once i have done this.

Cheers Andrew

by **roadking1** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:43 pm

Nice setup,did you build the stand?

by **amashun** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:53 pm

Nice spiny :thumbsup:

I used to have Bullina lineata

by **roadking1** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:17 pm

Adrian,How long did it live? did you have trouble feedin it? Do they spend alot of time out of site buried in the sand?I used to have some olive snails that looked like that but were earthen colors and they were usually under the sand bed looking for something to eat.I think spiny said he could get those for like 8 bucks apiece.Tom

by **skinz78** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:58 pm

You even put the plate screws in paralell with each other. I usually put them up and down. Most people put them just all mish mashed and it buggs the crap out of me. Good job Spiny :thumbsup:

Website · by **chris&barb** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:09 pm

LOL i noticed that also. I'm into symmetry myself. I can be a bugger about where to place a nail. I like it to look like you at least put a little thought into it.

by **skinz78** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:36 pm

Man it boggles my mind sometimes how just some simple steps can make things look so much better. But yet most people don't see it.

by **amashun** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:57 pm

roadking1 wrote:Adrian,How long did it live? did you have trouble feedin it? Do they spend alot of time out of site buried in the sand?I used to have some olive snails that looked like that but were earthen colors and they were usually under the sand bed looking for something to eat.I think spiny said he could get those for like 8 bucks apiece.Tom

that was long time ago when i 1st started the hobby, i put it back to the ocean...lol

by **skinz78** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:07 am

How come did you do that Adrian?

by **spinycheek** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 12:08 am

Thanks guys. I was contemplating putting the screws vertical, but I decided horizontal looked better. If only I didn't scratch the hell out of the wall .................... :blush:

roadking1 wrote:Nice setup,did you build the stand?

Kind of, it was a put it together yourself kit from petsmart. It is actually surprisingly well made.

Adrian, that is a beautiful bubble shell, lucky find.