Best substrate for plants?

[Essjay]

That should be OK for a group of angels.

Be careful where you source your information. Shops usually don't have a clue. Websites can be written by anyone with no real knowledge. The best place for research is Seriously Fish which is written by experts.

 

[blurrae]

That should be OK for a group of angels.

Be careful where you source your information. Shops usually don't have a clue. Websites can be written by anyone with no real knowledge. The best place for research is Seriously Fish which is written by experts.

So should I return the gouramis and get something else? Or is it okay? My gouramis haven't shown any hostility towards the angels, the gouramis just chase each other from time to time.

 

[Byron]

I would return the gourami. You don't mention the species, some can be very aggressive, and interaction between them is to be expected but it could be nearing real trouble or not, depending. Gourami and cichlids should not be together in the same tank, primarily because they are so much alike in temperament and territory defense.

Five or six angelfish is advisable, four might be lucky and work or might not, depending upon gender and temperament of the individual fish. Provided you have not had the four for long, adding two more might work out fine.

Back on the Quikrete Play Sand, that is excellent sand for tanks. I contacted the manufacturer a few years ago to discuss their processing. I have been using this ever since, with no problems. I have the dark grey sand in the local Home Depot, there is also a buff-tone sand. Either is fine, Quikrete Play Sand.

Rinse it a few times. I never go overboard with this, as it is just dirt that will settle.

 

[mbsqw1d]

I would return the gourami. You don't mention the species, some can be very aggressive, and interaction between them is to be expected but it could be nearing real trouble or not, depending. Gourami and cichlids should not be together in the same tank, primarily because they are so much alike in temperament and territory defense.

Five or six angelfish is advisable, four might be lucky and work or might not, depending upon gender and temperament of the individual fish. Provided you have not had the four for long, adding two more might work out fine.

Back on the Quikrete Play Sand, that is excellent sand for tanks. I contacted the manufacturer a few years ago to discuss their processing. I have been using this ever since, with no problems. I have the dark grey sand in the local Home Depot, there is also a buff-tone sand. Either is fine, Quikrete Play Sand.

Rinse it a few times. I never go overboard with this, as it is just dirt that will settle.

AFAIA the argos play sand is the only option here in the UK, and I have used this in my previous tank with no issues. Its a much finer grain than the 'aquarium' sand I have now. The cories seemed to be able to dig around and filter feed in the argos stuff much better. The problem is the colour IMO, it is quite a bright shade of tan and so obtaining a different colour, particularly a dark grey, would be ideal.
If I was to go hunting around for a different play sand to the argos, what should I be looking out for with regards to its processing?

 

[Treestone]

You do run the risk of aggression with angelfish and I assume three spots yet people have been successful in keeping those two species together in that size aquarium, but it is still isn't advisable by any standard. Both species will become far more aggressive when older as they begin to courtship, sparking possibly fights. Three spots come from a very wide range, as proven by their invasiveness, and are considered the hardiest of its genus. With both the danios (zebra I assume) and three spot gouramis there are anecdotal reports regarding water conditions due to this very large range but this can be inferred as a wide tolerance. Therefore we must know your water conditions to give advice on your stocking regarding keeping the angelfish or the gouramis.

@Byron I swear we keep having this conversation lol but what issues should you look out for when looking for play sand?

 

[Treestone]

I just really like the gouramis. They’re such a pretty fish. But if I have to return them, then I will. Do you have any recommendations for some good looking fish to replace them? I’ve seen a ton, but I’ve just never found any really good ones. Preferably fish that work well with plants, since I’m going to put those in there as well.

Also, what’s the best way to get substrate out a tank that already has fish in it? Put the fish in a bucket, drain the tank halfway, then shovel out the substrate is what I’d do but I’m not sure how well that would work...

Bro, you be switching to your alt on us .

That's how I changed the substrate on my fry grow-out tank but then again the scape didn't really matter because of this. If you have a spare tank this would be the time to use it.

 

[blurrae]

Bro, you be switching to your alt on us .

That's how changed the substrate on my fry grow-out tank but then again the scape didn't really matter because of this. If you have a spare tank this would be the time to use it.

Oh my bad lol
Yeah I don’t have another tank so that might be the only option.. I’ve done a bit of research but it seems like that’s the only thing you can do so idk

 

[Treestone]

Oh my bad lol
Yeah I don’t have another tank so that might be the only option.. I’ve done a bit of research but it seems like that’s the only thing you can do so idk

What does your water parameters look like if you don't mind me asking?

 

[blurrae]

What does your water parameters look like if you don't mind me asking?

I actually somehow lost my kit, that had all my strips in it. I ordered a new one though, and it’s gonna be here tomorrow so I’ll be able to tell you then. All I can tell you right now is the temperature, sorry.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Oh my bad lol
Yeah I don’t have another tank so that might be the only option.. I’ve done a bit of research but it seems like that’s the only thing you can do so idk

How many tanks do you have? Just the one?

 

[blurrae]

How many tanks do you have? Just the one?

Just the one. Maybe if I'm lucky I can get a small tank for cheap tomorrow to put my fish in for a couple hours max while I scoop out the substrate and put the sand in. It's not ideal, but it's the best option I can think of. The only other option is leaving the fish in there while I do it. Which wouldn't be horrible, but it would cause unnecessary stress on them so idk

 

[Treestone]

Just the one. Maybe if I'm lucky I can get a small tank for cheap tomorrow to put my fish in for a couple hours max while I scoop out the substrate and put the sand in. It's not ideal, but it's the best option I can think of. The only other option is leaving the fish in there while I do it. Which wouldn't be horrible, but it would cause unnecessary stress on them so idk

For a temporary place, a widish bucket (laundry baskets work well) would be better and cheaper than a tank. They do get a bit stressed out but its fine once they are settled back in.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

For a temporary place, a widish bucket (laundry baskets work well) would be better and cheaper than a tank. They do get a bit stressed out but its fine once they are settled back in.

Yep, I'd do this. But add an airstone to the bucket(s) since it can take a few hours to switch out substrates and refill, and oxygen runs out quickly in a bucket with multiple fish in it.

I only have a pleco, so I'm pretty sure it's okay for him from what I have read.

Oh. I was told that angels and gouramis were fine together. I even talked to a couple people on this forum and they told me it was fine. My bad, I should've done my own research. I used to have 6 angels, but then I decided to experiment with a cichlid just for the fun of it and that didn't end very well.
I'm actually taking the guppies back to the store tomorrow, so they won't be a problem.
I have a 75 gal bowfront.

Was this when you had the Oscar in the tank as well? Do you still have the Oscar?

 

[blurrae]

Yep, I'd do this. But add an airstone to the bucket(s) since it can take a few hours to switch out substrates and refill, and oxygen runs out quickly in a bucket with multiple fish in it.


Was this when you had the Oscar in the tank as well? Do you still have the Oscar?

No, about a month ago I tried out a Green Terror because he seemed really docile, and he mangled a couple of my angels. He was gone right after that. I already took the oscar out as well.

 

[blurrae]

Yep, I'd do this. But add an airstone to the bucket(s) since it can take a few hours to switch out substrates and refill, and oxygen runs out quickly in a bucket with multiple fish in it.


Was this when you had the Oscar in the tank as well? Do you still have the Oscar?

I also have an air pump and a bubbler, that'll definitely work right? Just making sure