Gravel

[reg]

I am setting up a tank for corys and can chose between gravel that's a bit bigger(5+ mm) and very smooth, i.e. small almost cyclindrical pebbles, or a smaller gravel. However, not all of the smaller gravel is perfectly round-not all of the rocks are totally smooth! They aren't very sharp. So, I know I need a substrate that's round/smooth/fine-I can't have it all. I would use sand, but my Whisper Filter says no sand.

Thanks!!!!

 

[Fishy412]

I am setting up a tank for corys and can chose between gravel that's a bit bigger(5+ mm) and very smooth, i.e. small almost cyclindrical pebbles, or a smaller gravel. However, not all of the smaller gravel is perfectly round-not all of the rocks are totally smooth! They aren't very sharp. So, I know I need a substrate that's round/smooth/fine-I can't have it all. I would use sand, but my Whisper Filter says no sand.

Thanks!!!!

i would say defy the whisper filter. as long as the intake is far enough away and you dont stir it up too much then sand is fine. i use it in my 10 gallon with a whisper.

 

[reg]

I am setting up a tank for corys and can chose between gravel that's a bit bigger(5+ mm) and very smooth, i.e. small almost cyclindrical pebbles, or a smaller gravel. However, not all of the smaller gravel is perfectly round-not all of the rocks are totally smooth! They aren't very sharp. So, I know I need a substrate that's round/smooth/fine-I can't have it all. I would use sand, but my Whisper Filter says no sand.

Thanks!!!!

i would say defy the whisper filter. as long as the intake is far enough away and you dont stir it up too much then sand is fine. i use it in my 10 gallon with a whisper.

Thank you. It is a 29 gallon tank, 18 inches high.

 

[Teelie]

I have sand in all my tanks with several brands and types of filters and the only problem with them and sand is if you don't turn the filter off BEFORE you add the sand. You remember to turn them off after the first time it happens.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi reg

Gravel doesn't have to be perfectly round to be smooth. If you look at it with a magnifying glass, you will be able to tell if it has sharp edges or if they are rounded. If so, it will be safe. The finer the gravel, the better it is for corys since they use their barbels to look for uneaten bits of food between the pieces. Sand can also have sharp edges, but play sand, which is safe for little children to play in, is good for corys.

However, sand is a mixed blessing. On one hand, it looks nice, the corys love it, and it takes virtually no effort to keep the tank clean. On the other hand, it can wreck filters if they are not disconnected during water changes. Sponge pre-filters can be put on to catch the sand, but they tend to clog up easily and generally are a nuisance. If you use only about an inch of sand, the only thing you need to do to keep it clean and healthy is to stir it around with your fingers, every now and then.

Fine gravel is safer for the filters, but much more effort is involved in tank cleaning because fish wastes and uneaten food bits sink down into it and harmful bacteria grows in it. To clean it involves poking the siphon head down, into the gravel, and moving it around to suck the dirt up.

Coarse, pebble like pieces of gravel are not good for corys. They use their barbels like fingers to search for food and if the food gets between the larger gravel, it could get out of their reach entirely.

What kind of corys do you plan to get, reg?

 

[reg]

Thank you for your help. The fine gravel is not sharp; I'm just worred because some of the pieces have flat edges. I am first planning to get peal danios. Once the tank settles, I will be adding either 6 panda cories, 6 albinos, or 3 albinos and 3 pandas. I have heard that pandas are more delicate; is this true?

Hi reg

Gravel doesn't have to be perfectly round to be smooth. If you look at it with a magnifying glass, you will be able to tell if it has sharp edges or if they are rounded. If so, it will be safe. The finer the gravel, the better it is for corys since they use their barbels to look for uneaten bits of food between the pieces. Sand can also have sharp edges, but play sand, which is safe for little children to play in, is good for corys.

However, sand is a mixed blessing. On one hand, it looks nice, the corys love it, and it takes virtually no effort to keep the tank clean. On the other hand, it can wreck filters if they are not disconnected during water changes. Sponge pre-filters can be put on to catch the sand, but they tend to clog up easily and generally are a nuisance. If you use only about an inch of sand, the only thing you need to do to keep it clean and healthy is to stir it around with your fingers, every now and then.

Fine gravel is safer for the filters, but much more effort is involved in tank cleaning because fish wastes and uneaten food bits sink down into it and harmful bacteria grows in it. To clean it involves poking the siphon head down, into the gravel, and moving it around to suck the dirt up.

Coarse, pebble like pieces of gravel are not good for corys. They use their barbels like fingers to search for food and if the food gets between the larger gravel, it could get out of their reach entirely.

What kind of corys do you plan to get, reg?