Help On Sand

[Fishkeeper2004]

Ok, my Cory tank for the C. aenuas I am hoping to breed was bought yesterday, and I am slowly starting to cycle the tank. It is currently bare bottom. I have been told sand is the best option, but flat gravel can also be used.

I am not emptying out the tank again, so just wondered whether I can add the sand when the tank is already full, or would not of it go on the base, and would it just mix into a cloudy mess? If so, I suppose it doesn't matter, as flat, blunt gravel shouldn't cause any problems.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Fishkeeper2004

Is this the tank that you hope to be raising the fry in? If so, gravel is much easier to get out once the time comes that they have spawned and you remove the spawning group.

The problem with corys spawning in bare bottom tanks is that they are apt to lay eggs on the bottom. I tried that once and the eggs were all crushed by their weight as the swam around and sat on them.

If you want to add sand, just wash it very thoroughly, turn off the filter and pour it in slowly. If it has been well rinsed, it will settle quickly and when you turn on the filter, it will remove any remaining cloudiness.

You will only need a small layer if whichever you choose.

 

[Mudfrog]

You can add sand to a full tank, I changed mine over from gravel to sand.

Best thing to do is to rinse the sand out, if you rinse it enough it should keep the cloud formation to a minimum. I learned from my mistake, the fist time I did it the cloud lasted over 2 weeks. The second time the cloud lasted about 30 min.

 

[trace1]

i think that the flat gravel is better as like inchworm said its far easier to get out. only saying this from experience as my albino cory eggs have just hatched & theres still a little bit of sand in the bottom of the tank & i'm finding it very hard to see the fry. hth

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Ok thanks, I will definately use sand then, the only worry for me was that it would just mix with the water and make a horrible mess and never settle - ruining the cycle?

But if its ok, I will buy some and make sure I rinse it thoroughly. As for removing the spawning group, I think I will be doing it to other way round. Removing the eggs after 8 hours, and placing them in the smaller tank. (I will make sure I keep them under water the whole time.)

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Fishkeeper2004

In that case, sand is good! The corys enjoy it and it's easy to keep clean.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Hi Fishkeeper2004

In that case, sand is good! The corys enjoy it and it's easy to keep clean.

Ok thanks for all the help, now I am just a little unsure on how long to let the tank cycle? I don't want to leave it too long, but then again I don't want to rush into things and cause unnecassary problems. Anyone setup 180L before, that could help out?

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

I have just ordered two bags of Argos Extra Playsand, £2.49 each bag. Each bag weighs 15KG so two should be enough for a 180L tank right? It should be delivered to my local store by the 12th-15th December.

 

[Mudfrog]

I used playsand from my local hardware store as it's cheap. The downside is it is very fine. You need to wash it out repeatedly, spend a good hour or so washing it out or you will have trouble getting it to settle.

 

[smithrc]

2 bags will be fine


Inchworm - whats the reasoning behind taking the substrate out?

 

[Barracuda518]

I found it to be much easier to remove most of the water and leave a little bit, maybe an inch of water on the bottom. That will make the sand settle better. I have done it 2 times now and it has worked very well. I used some sand I bought from a LFS, it was a bit cleaner.

Good Luck

 

[Inchworm]

Inchworm - whats the reasoning behind taking the substrate out?

Hi smithrc

I take the substrate out because it is much easier to keep the fry tank clean if it has a bare bottom. Corys need a constant supply of food to grow well, and therefore a lot of water changes which are hard to do with sand moving around and possibly burying them.

Since cory fry live at the bottom, it needs to be kept very clean. The uneaten food and dead microworms sometimes tend to stick and build up a film which can feed bacteria that can quickly kill them. You can't see it on sand, but it is quite visable on the glass. It can be easily removed by just rubbing the glass with your fingers and flushing the tank with clean water.

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Well a got Kiln Dried Sand today from B&Q. One large bag was sufficient, and I washed this out thoroughly. In the bucket I left the sand, and about 1 inch of water and slowly tipped this into the tank. This settled immediately, but obviously the water is cloudy.

My final question is, now its in, how long before I can start filter again, as I turned it off when I put the sand in. And wont the sand damage the filter?

 

[smithrc]

Inchworm - whats the reasoning behind taking the substrate out?

Hi smithrc

I take the substrate out because it is much easier to keep the fry tank clean if it has a bare bottom. Corys need a constant supply of food to grow well, and therefore a lot of water changes which are hard to do with sand moving around and possibly burying them.

Since cory fry live at the bottom, it needs to be kept very clean. The uneaten food and dead microworms sometimes tend to stick and build up a film which can feed bacteria that can quickly kill them. You can't see it on sand, but it is quite visable on the glass. It can be easily removed by just rubbing the glass with your fingers and flushing the tank with clean water.

fair enought - how do adults feel about a bare bottom (eg if i wern;t to bother with anything even to begin with)

thanks
Russell

 

[Fishkeeper2004]

Sand has now completely settled and the water is almost clear. PH and Amonia levels are good. I have just been told that once I add the filter from my existing tank, I will almost immediately be able to add fish safely? I have now added it but am waiting for a second opinion before I add the community fish *from old replaced tank*. I think even if it should be safe to add them today, I will leave the filter to establish itself within the new tank, for 24 hours until tommorow night.

I now have 2 filters going, and have added AquaCycle. Along with adding occasional flakes of food to substitute amonia.