Gravel or sand???

[pugsandseals]

Ok - we're nearly there! Got a Rio 180 for DD for xmas and she has an obsession with black sand (well very fine gravel anyway).

Got the last big bag when we got the tank but it looks like they won't be getting anymore before xmas. Do I:-
a) wait for more to come after xmas so not get the tank set up on xmas day
b) buy some white sand to go underneath the black & hope it doesn't show through
c) give up on the idea of sand & stock up on plain black gravel?

She is wanting to eventually keep tetras and pygmy corys.

WWYD???
TIA

[ant3nna]

This really depends on what you've got already and if its sand or a very fine and smooth gravel.

Its a lot harder to keep sand clean because you end up sucking it up with your gravel cleaner trying to get all the shite off the bottom of the tank. Also if the sand compacts it will turn anaerobic and generate toxic gases which will kill your fish. Black sand will make it a lot harder to spot anaerobic patches (the sand goes darker).

OTOH, if you go for gravel and its too sharp or too coarse then you risk damaging the barbels on the corys.

If the stuff you've already got is a very fine (1-2mm ish across) and smooth gravel rather than sand then I would wait for it. If you are fishless cycling (better for the welfare of fish as you won't be exposing them to toxins) then it will be another 4-6 weeks until you are ready for fish anyway so a few days wait to get the extra substrate isn't a lot extra.

[pugsandseals]

So will the fishless cycling work without substrate then? I thought that was where the bacteria grows!

(That is what I meant when I said getting the tank set up on xmas day btw - fishless cycling.)

[ant3nna]

Sorry if i wasnt clear - I meant that you should wait for the extra gravel then set the tank up as it will be a few weeks before you can add fish. However, the main place you want the bacteria to grow is in your filter. As long as your substrate won't leach ammonia into the water it shouldn't make your cycle any longer and if it does then you wont have to add any. The main problem with adding gravel after setting up the tank is that it will make the water level rise and you'll have to add any ornaments/plants in afterwards anyway.

[EauRudolph]

Sand is best for corys, as ant3nna said they have delicate little barbels. It is almost as easy to clean as gravel, once you get the knack- you hoover the surface rather than stirring it up. You need to be careful that it doesn't go into the filter too much because it can knacker the impeller.

If you get some burrowing snails like malaysian trumpet snails then they help to stop anaerobic patches from forming. I also use a bamboo kebab stick to poke the sand a bit before a water change (make sure you don't get any in the filter!)

I use sand in all my tanks and I've never had any problems with it, it just takes a little bit more time and effort than gravel.

Great news on doing a fishless cycle and check your pH and hardness to see if the tetras and corys are suitable for your water. Some shops say they are 'adaptable' but it's rubbish IME. Fish need to be matched to the right conditions no matter where and how they have been bred.

[pugsandseals]

Thanks guys! DD will be so happy to hear you suggest malaysian trumpet snails eaurouge she seems to have a huge snail fettish!

So, will stick with the sand idea & hope it's in by xmas.

I shouldn't imagine we'll have any problems with tetras or corys as we are in a hard water area, but will wait and see. The important part is getting the fishless cycling going on xmas day or DD will drive us all mad!!!

[ant3nna]

Glad to hear your DD likes MTS, can't stand the things myself.

Are you planning to get any real plants? If you are that might keep your DD occupied until the tank has cycled. Plants will also help keep nitrates down when you get it established.

Mind you, not everyone likes aquatic gardening as much as I do

[EauRudolph]

Tetras and corys need soft acidic water. If you are going to test your tap water then leave it to stand for 24 hours because the pH can sometimes drop because of chemicals they put in there.

PLants are brilliant, there are some nice easy ones like crypts or java fern (you grow this on a bit of wood) for people like me that are crap at growing plants You'll need some kind of fertiliser to go under the sand if you want real plants, or you can add root tabs later on.

Are you going to use fishfood or bottled ammonia to cycle the tank?

[pugsandseals]

Fishfood I think! Don't even know where to buy ammonia - it sounds scary.

Got a complete water testing kit & the guy at the shop won't actually sell us any fish until we have taken a sample to him for testing & he says it's ready! Have a great deal of confidence in him based on his advice so far and the quality of his fish.

Hoping to go in just after xmas and choose plants & will wait for his advice on which fish to get!

[EauRudolph]

I wish more staff were like that instead of just saying to chuck some danios in to cycle the tank.

I think Homebase sells household ammonia, it's easier to control the amount of ammonia that way but cycling with food is doable. Make sure you put it in a clean pair of tights so that you have less cleaning to do

[pugsandseals]

Thanks for the tips!