Stocking, Sand, Air & Plants

[justjon]

Hi all,

I'm just re-setting my whole tank up as I got a bit tired of the dirty look of sand.

Anyway, a few questions - would appreciate replies even if you can only help with one of these below;

1) I was thinking of getting a nice air-curtain in the tank, but heard this isn't good for plants - is this true? I currently dose my tank with c02 and ferts (nothing serious, just bottled stuff).
I have Java plants, moss and a redish/green leafed plant of some sort in the tank, all easy to keep.

2) I've emptied a lot of my sand out of the tank and am thinking of going to nice, smooth medium-sized pebbles for a better look as well as to keep my tank looking cleaner (sand has been a nightmare).
Will this be OK for my Cory's, as I heard they love sand but think the large smooth pebbles will still be fine. I also have an assasin snail that loves burying in the sand but he was in gravel before.

3) My current stocking is;

1x Pearl Gourami
1x Platy
5x Hatchets
5x Glowlight Tetras
3x Corys (need to up these).
1x Assasin Snail
6x Amano Shrimp.

As well as 2 more corys, could I fit anything else in this tank? I was considering a golden plec or bull plec, but not sure if they'd get on with the corys?

4) I currently have an external Fluval 205. I've been given a 405 and am considering changing over to the 405 even though it may be a bit over-kill, though I do have the intention of up-sizing in a few years if i can. Is this worth it?

Thanks for reading and i'd appreciate any advice/answers on the above.

Jonathan

 

[justjon]

Anyone?

 

[willowstwin]

frome what I've heard about corys they love to "snuffle" in the sand to show their natural behaviour. Gravel can damage their barbs but if you're going for nice smooth pebbles then I don't think that will be a problem.

Can I ask how you intend to clean the bottom with medium pebbles as a substrate? What size are you calling medium? I'm not being funny there, I'm just genuinely curious

 

[fluttermoth]

1. I don't really know much about plants and CO2, as I don't use anything like that in my tanks, or air either!

2. I don't think your cories would like the pebbles, nor would it be good for them; you would end up with a lot of poo and food in the gaps that would very probably cause them to get fungus and other infections around their mouths, and that would probably cause them to lose their barbels. Personally (and without wanting to sound harsh or condescending to you!) I would never keep cories on anything other than sand. I know it may look dirty and untidy to you, but the fish's happiness should come first, IMO.

3. I wouldn't add any more different species to the tank, I'd concentrate on upping the numbers of your shoaling fish, as at the moment you have only the bare minimum for them; they'd be much happier and would act more naturally in larger numbers. Plecs and cories do get on fine together though.

4. More filtration is nearly always better, so go for the bigger filter. Don't forget to transfer the media from your old one though!

 

[justjon]

Ok, i'll keep the sand.

Does anyone know if black sand looks nice? If I do have to keep it for the sake of the cories (which is fine). Perhaps I can find a middle ground and have a darker colour so it doesn't show mess up as much. I do weekly changes/cleans, but almost straight away it's dirty looking again.

On the pebble front, I may buy a small bag and have an area with them, just for some sort of effect.

 

[fluttermoth]

I've seen a few tanks with black sand and it does look good; I almost got it for one of mine, but it is pricey and the cost put me off in the end! Don't get the Tahitian moonsand though; I've heard (and seen a pic of it0 that it's too coarse and rough for cories.

A few pebbles would look nice though; I have patches of gravel in most of my sand tanks (mostly to hold the plants in!) and it does give a nice, natural look.

I know it doesn't look nice, but don't forget that as long as the dirt is just poop and not uneaten food, it won't do your fish any harm.

 

[justjon]

I've seen a few tanks with black sand and it does look good; I almost got it for one of mine, but it is pricey and the cost put me off in the end! Don't get the Tahitian moonsand though; I've heard (and seen a pic of it0 that it's too coarse and rough for cories.

A few pebbles would look nice though; I have patches of gravel in most of my sand tanks (mostly to hold the plants in!) and it does give a nice, natural look.

I know it doesn't look nice, but don't forget that as long as the dirt is just poop and not uneaten food, it won't do your fish any harm.

Thanks

Any idea where I can get it from online?

Also, not sure how it'd look with a light ornament I have in there now? (It's a light rock with holes in etc). I guess it'd make it stand out.

 

[jcabs100]

I have black sand in mine and I have a beautiful amazon look to it i love the choice of black sand IMO I got my black sand at my Lfs and I just washed it really good...kept it in a bucket for a day then I cleansed it with warm water and it looks amazing

 

[justjon]

Hmm sounds good. Could you take a picture for me ?

 

[jcabs100]

Sure just give me 20 min

 

[jcabs100]

here are few pictures
My link
My link
My link

 

[willowstwin]

I love the look of black sand, and I'd love some pygmy cories, but I can't find it anywhere around here