How Much Sandy Substrate Do I Need?

[bezzo89]

okay the tank i have is a rectangular one measuring 61 x 31 x 42 cm on the outside of the footprint. i didnt want much substrate its for what is currently one cory but will be a couple more by the end of the month as i am making adjustments in my tanks.

at the moment this tank has 1 cory, 3 balloon mollies, 4 neon tetra, 2 glowlight tetra, 4 black widows and 3 ancistrus.

The mollies and 2 of the acistrus are being transferred to another tank leaving the smaller one which is around an inch long at the moment in the tank.

i will need to nestle around 4 or 5 small recently pruned plants in the substrate and have a piece of bogwood in there as well.

the tank capacity is measured as 63 litres according to the manufacturer.

I know the tank is overstocked at the moment which is why i am making the adjustments, any suggestions with the substrate will be welcome, oh and by substrate i mean sand.

thanks,

 

[minxfishy]

Depending on what sand colour you want, you could just use childrens playsand, if your in the UK, from argos, toysrus, places like that and you would only need one bag, they are around 15kg, so half a bag would be fine.

You can also get sand in other colours, black or brown being a good colour to bring the fish colours out. Again for a 60L tank, about 8kg should be fine for 2" layer for planting. If you dont need to plant, then 1" is plenty coverage.

 

[bezzo89]

Thanks for the help minx, i used the kids play sand in the end was a darn sight cheaper and with a good cleaning it came out quite nice and light.

Here are some pics i managed to take while the water was still settling yesterday and before i done a second sweep for and dietrius!

The corys really enjoyed digging around in it especially this little one who really came to life when the sand was put in and the plecs were moved.

Now i have just got to wait for the plants to grow a bit now the plecs are not there to rip them apart any more!
I might get a background plant to mix things up a little.

 

[didz04]

Whats the cory called at the bottom? I have the same type but not sure of exact name.

 

[OldMan47]

That is a C trilineatus, sometimes called a C julii by shops who don't know any better.

 

[bezzo89]

yes everywhere local seems to have it named as a cory julli, but as oldman states its a C trilineatus.
I think its where there are a few breeds it just gets given a nickname if it looks similar.
They are a very nice change to some of the other cory's that are usually in most community tanks

 

[ninjaseal]

1 pound per gallon is suitable

 

[didz04]

Thanks OldMan47 & Bezzo89.

 

[bezzo89]

no probs didz04, i dont have much knowledge on fish but what i do i am willing to share lol