Tanganyikan setup

[Fishman21]

I recently acquired a standard 210G and plan to set it up as a Tanganyikan tank. The 210 was previously a marine setup and came with fine crushed coral substrate - what are your recommendations for substrate - should i use the crushed coral? or what else as an alternative?

Also what lighting would work well in a tank of this size?

[Mferko]

best substrate is the sugar sized aragonite from JL aquatics, thats what i had in my tanganyikan setup and the shellies loved it

[tony1928]

I second that suggestion. Just make sure you don't overdo it and have fish that will help stir it up. All my tangs enjoyed the fine sand. The sugar sand does tend to blow around a bit if you have alot of flow.

[Fishman21]

interesting comments. I have a black background so aragonite will be a nice contrast. Shellies are a consideration so i do want to keep it fine

[tony1928]

The aragonite is a nice bright cream/white colour, so detritus and any algae will show up pretty clearly. Be prepared to keep up with vacuuming.

[hp10BII]

For shellies, you definitely want to use fine sand. Other tangs may not care - what tangs were you thinking about keeping?

[Fishman21]

Shellies, Julidochromis, Brichardi & Leptosoma

Maybe Leluepi

[Mferko]

careful, brichardi have been known to form a death squad after theyve bred and kill off other inhabitants

[Fishman21]

am hoping with enough space that they will be ok

[hp10BII]

careful, brichardi have been known to form a death squad after theyve bred and kill off other inhabitants

The famed brichardi death squad. In the end, imagine a 210 gallon tank with just a colony of brichardi.

Leluepi and shellies are probably a bad mix. They like shellie fry and will probably kill the females guarding the shells to get at them.