Fis For Turning Substrate?

[pyrofishtoo]

If you use a gravel vacuum and do weekly water changes, you will be fine. Lots of people like snails... I despise them (except assasins! )

 

[Dieses Madchen]

If you use a gravel vacuum and do weekly water changes, you will be fine. Lots of people like snails... I despise them (except assasins! )

I'm looking for some assasins right now lol. I have a buffet in my 40g layed out for them

 

[eaglesaquarium]

So would you suggest I get some snails? Or will turming the sand with my hand when I do my weekly water changes be enough?

Again, the build-up of gas is rare. The release is even more rare (unless you do it intentionally). The release where it kills everything in your tank.... Never heard of it happening to anyone, anywhere.

Buying an animal (or adding it intentionally to your tank) because you are in fear of something, or to get rid of another nuisance is never really recommended. The loaches you would need to be able to deal with the snails have limitations regarding what size tank they can be put into.


Ultimately you are worrying about something that is extremely unlikely. It would be like worrying every time you get on an elevator that Dennis Hopper was called in to complete the maintenance. Sure, its possible, but you can't spend your entire life in fear of the extremely remote. There are simple rules to follow to ensure that this NEVER happens. Keep the sand shallow - less than 2 inches. Give it a little mix when doing water changes... (if you used gravel, you'd mix up the substrate wouldn't you?) Don't put a large flat piece of anything impermeable on the surface of the sand where it CAN trap any gas. If you want to put a piece of driftwood onto slate into your tank, just bury the slate on the bottom of the tank, cover it with sand and let the driftwood stick out - it gives it a more natural look anyway.


There are a lot bigger things to worry about than this. I'd be more concerned with finding a reputable dealer for acquiring disease free fish.

 

[K Vee Gee]

I must agree with you there eaglesaquarium. My sand is only about 1.5in, so I will just carry on what I am doing when I carry out the weekly water changes.

Thanks for everyones responses

 

[Louiseness]

So would you suggest I get some snails? Or will turming the sand with my hand when I do my weekly water changes be enough?

If you're worried just give the sand a shuffle about with a long handles spoon, stick, chopsticks, whatever You'll know if there are any pockets because the sand will be black, they'll go away as soon as you churn it up a bit.