Discus

[(Blarg)]

Can I put sand in my Discus tank or will it harm them in some way?

 

[kev_kb]

It won't harm them as long as it doesn't change the water chemistry. Use play sand or aquarium sand. You'll need to stir it every so often and keep it really really clean for the discus. IMO discus are best in kept in bare bottom tanks but it depends on personal preference.

 

[pandacichlid]

Can I put sand in my Discus tank or will it harm them in some way?

I'd say no, but I would agree with the chemistry of the water changing like the ph and all that, they also like heavily planted tanks and soft acidic water. I've seen this nice looking kinda soil gravel that's good for them apparently.

 

[djceri_g]

My discus seems to love sand better than gravel, they like to blow the sand. I think sand is better for the aslong as you have some bogwood to lower the PH. If you decide to swap to sand, please take the fish out first. Good luck

 

[paul-discus]

Sand is far superior in a discus aquarium BUT i only have a thin layer of playsand about one quarter of an inch thick, just eneough to cover the bottom glass. The fish love it and it is easy to keep clean.

 

[cheesy feet]

Sand is far superior in a discus aquarium BUT i only have a thin layer of playsand about one quarter of an inch thick, just eneough to cover the bottom glass. The fish love it and it is easy to keep clean.

Agreed

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

After reading this, I may just add a small amount of play sand to my soon-to-be Discus tank, in one of the corners of the tank.

 

[tattae]

After reading this, I may just add a small amount of play sand to my soon-to-be Discus tank, in one of the corners of the tank.

Umm, it might not work that way. I tried that in my old tank. Sand particle is smaller than gravel, so after a while the sand sinks to the bottom and all you can see is the gravel on top However, mine was under-gravel filtration, so it might work differently on other kind of filtration.

Good luck.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

After reading this, I may just add a small amount of play sand to my soon-to-be Discus tank, in one of the corners of the tank.

Umm, it might not work that way. I tried that in my old tank. Sand particle is smaller than gravel, so after a while the sand sinks to the bottom and all you can see is the gravel on top However, mine was under-gravel filtration, so it might work differently on other kind of filtration.

Good luck.

It was going to be bare-bottom. So the only substrate would be the small amount of sand.