SAND OR GRAVEL

[Dave]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone know if there is a difference in having sand or gravel. If so what fish are best suited to either?

 

[CFC]

Sand is only really used when keeping fish that specificly require it,Elephantnose fish and Geophagus species cichlids need it to prevent damage to their delicate mouths,fish like stingrays,eels,frogmouth catfish and some loaches need it so they can burrow and silversand is sometimes used in Discus set ups as it dosen't effect PH.
Unless you have fish that require a sand substrate it is best to use gravel,its easier to clean and grow plants in and cant be stirred up so won't clog fiters like sand can.

 

[Elisabeth]

I have a new elephant nose that I keep with a gravel substrate. Its a fairly fine gravel but should I put a sandy patch in the tank for him?
I've never kept an elephant nose before and the lf had him in a gravel tank too so I thought he'd be ok with gravel.
Another query about elephant noses. Can anyone tell me what are the best things to feed him on? He's in a community tank which I feed with flake, brineshrimp and daphnia but I don't think he eats these so I get bloodworm for him but what else would he like?

 

[CFC]

Sand is best for elephantnoses as any damage to their tiny mouth at the end of the nose could prevent the fish from feeding,they are notoriously difficult to feed because of this small mouth and will usually only except live foods,other than bloodworm you could try tubifix worms (not too often though as they can be bad for fish if fed to often)or glass worm if you can get it.

 

[Dave]

Sand Good for Discus eh? I was thinking of getting discus in the future (when a little more experienced). Would these go ok with Angel fish and some catfish? What about them with Sand?

 

[CFC]

Its not that the discus like sand its that they need v soft water,silver sand is nuetral so wont affect the hardness and PH of the water like most gravel substrates do.Discus are also very peaceful timid fish that dont like overly active tankmates so angels and most catfish are out,they are probably best kept with a small shoal of tetras and a few corydoras.

 

[Dave]

Oh well never mind Although my angels don't seem like the most active fish, they seem more interested in making babies (unsuccessfully) As for the Catfish, well ok you win, they can be quite fast swimmers around the tank.

Thanks for the Advice.

 

[semper fi]

discus require absolutely perfect water quality. daily water changes are required. discus tanks usually and most commonly are bare bottom tanks devoid of any type of decor to help with keeping up the water quality.

maggie

 

[Dave]

a Bare Bottomed tank sounds pretty boring, surely there must be some alternative. What do you think about there tank mates?