Not another sand thread...

[RedShark]

I just went to the store and bought a 10 gallon starter kit. Im using Marine Sand and i hear from previous posts that its suitable for some cichlids. Damn i wish i had read that post earlier! Im curious if i can put any other type of fresh water fish in it, puffers perhaps? Don't they prefer saltier water or something? I hope i dont have to go and get more sand b/c traffic here stinks.

 

[RedShark]

Oh yeah and i forgot to mention that the water conditions from where im from(Chicago) already have very high ph levels and water is almost always hard, if that matters. Please, need help fast.

 

[boxman]

Marine sand is fine for Cichlids and marine fish, some would say mollys but I wouldn't suggest anything else.

Brackish fish may be ok but I'm not 100% sure if the salt content would be too high - perhaps a few bumblebee goby's if so but with your added point about high PH already you'd need to do your homework.

Puffers..... hmm, I'd read a bit more about puffers before you fall for their cute looks - 1 per tank (minimum of 5gal) and thats for dwarf puffers - other puffers have different requirements - probably best to ask in oddballs section or do a bit of reading.

If you want a tropical tank the only way to go is silica sand or play sand (anything inert). I have a 14gal with white silica sand and it looks amazing, although it's a pain to clean as my otos are dirty little gits!

 

[RedShark]

Who sells silica or play sand?

 

[Teelie]

Pool supply stores, Home Depot, Lowes, gardening centers, those kinds of places.

 

[fatguppy]

We call it play sand or silver sand here - you can get it from Kid's shops - that's if you're not too embarrassed to go in!!!

I agree entirely on the point about puffers - took advice from our lfs (when WILL I learn) and we are lucky enough to have a spare tank as we've put them in there - they were fin nipping a lot and our poor cory's were looking quite tatty. We're keeping an eye on them and if they don't suit I'm afraid they are going back - cute as they are

Got all my info from Oddballs on this site - excellent - but sadly for me - too late!!! My own fault

 

[shuhu]

Just remember NOT to put any Plecos or scaleless fish (they hate salt)