Too Much Sand For Mbuna Tank?

[Stoty]

should i get rid of some? This is a 60 gallon tank. Thanks.

 

[SchottayB]

I don't think you have too much in there .

 

[minnnt]

I would say thats fine mate

 

[Stoty]

thanks. I read that anything over 1 inch is excessive. Then again, Ive been reading a lot of strange things.

 

[FishNChimps]

On another forum I've seen claims that having deeper sand runs the risk of toxic gas pockets developing, and that one should stir it up every week to help prevent this. I wouldn't know from practice, though, having only gravel in mine.

 

[Stoty]

yeah thats what i heard. oh well. i can stir it up every time i do a water change. not a huge deal.

 

[Mowbz]

The "toxic gas" isnt toxic gas, fortunately. Stinks though.

Its anaerobic pockets. Material has broken down without the presence of oxygen, and it forms a type of sulphur. It stinks like rotten eggs, but its atually harmless. I get it in less than an inch under bogwood sometimes.

 

[Heyfool]

I don't think it would cause any problems, but it does look a bit strange IMO.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

malayan trumpet snails (MTS) would churn through that sand for you if youre worried about it.

just a thought.

 

[Blubble37]

what i was thinking

try some kuhlis, they will love the sand as they occasionally burrow into it.

or maybe a banjo carfish

 

[Stoty]

Really? MTS? that is an interesting thought. I dont know how i feel about a bunch of snails in my tank but it is def always a thought. Would kuhlis be compatible with mildy aggressive/aggressive mbuna?

 

[elisew]

Really? MTS? that is an interesting thought. I dont know how i feel about a bunch of snails in my tank but it is def always a thought. Would kuhlis be compatible with mildy aggressive/aggressive mbuna?

In short......No

If you have a good read around the forum you`ll find that synodontis catfish or bristlenose plecs of a decent size will move the sand around a fair bit when they search for food. They are generally the hardiest and can withstand/cope with the aggression levels of malawi/mbuna.
Khuli`s and otos etc are likely to be killed in a mbuna tank.

 

[Stoty]

yeah thats what i figured. lol. im not interested synodontis or bristle nose plecos (plus impossible for me to find). Im thinking im going to try a RTBS at some point (when my mbuna get bigger) and see what happens. I heard it has a 50/50 chance of working out.