bobo Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Heya, I'm a little confused regarding substrates, having read some conflicting information. I'm planning on having a low light, low maintenance tank. So, I thought sand would be inappropriate as I won't be doing many vacuums. I thought a larger material would be more appropriate, allowing the fish waste to slip down and in among the root. Something like: Which is 6mm in size. Will this be alright on top of the Dalton's? Should I have an intermediary layer? Will it be ok for corys? Thanks for your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Corydora are best with rounded smooth gravel or fine sand. Sharp grit and gravel will over time hurt their barbels and they risk death or infection. If you didn't have cory I think it would be fine on top of the aquatic mix but I haven't used the stuff myself so someone else better answer that part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Good to know. This is .8mm-1.4mm - would it be too sharp? If it is, I could use a 3-6mm gravel such as: Would that work well on top of Dalton's? Alternatively, I could use sand, but I'm worried it is an inappropriate choice if I won't be vacuuming very often - thoughts? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Lots of people here have midnight. I've never had cory on it, but my axolotl were happy with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Get the Midnight or Shadow. Both look excellent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 i would go for the shadow it looks more of a pebble rather than a chip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 i would go for the shadow it looks more of a pebble rather than a chip So why would you go for the pebble? The corys aren't my primary concern. My main concern is what works well with Dalton's and fish waste - although if it makes keeping corys possible, that's cool. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 So why would you go for the pebble? The corys aren't my primary concern. My main concern is what works well with Dalton's and fish waste - although if it makes keeping corys possible, that's cool. Cheers Cause chips might hurt your fish. i would go for the shadow it looks more of a pebble rather than a chip Yes I agree too. And personally I think it looks nicer than the Midnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 i have cories with the shadow gravel and aquatic mix under it , so thats why i would go for it(been running for 5 months no problems) and all corries still have there wiskers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 i have cories with the shadow gravel and aquatic mix under it , so thats why i would go for it(been running for 5 months no problems) and all corries still have there wiskers Cool. Think I'll go the shadow gravel + Dalton's route then. Cheers for your replies guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfishybuisness Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 glad i could help you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted January 17, 2011 Report Share Posted January 17, 2011 Check out Stone and water world, mt wellington. Lots of nice substrates and they are very cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 It can take a while for their barbels to become damaged and obviously some fish will be tougher than others. But if you want to have a fish whose only goal in life is to rootle in the substrate and sift particles through their gills, why would you not give them the substrate they need to perform. :dunno: It's like getting a goldfish and saying you want to keep it in warm water. The reason I'm saying this is because they are such sweet little fish and if you haven't bought the gravel yet there is nothing to lose by getting them something smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 But if you want to have a fish whose only goal in life is to rootle in the substrate and sift particles through their gills, why would you not give them the substrate they need to perform. :dunno: For sure. If I got a substrate inappropriate for corys, I wouldn't put them in that tank. I don't think I articulated myself clearly - the corys were never a primary concern - I wanted a substance that would be good for the plants and for use with Dalton's. and corys would be a bonus. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 I went to Palmer's and they had another aquatic mix, not Daltons. Would this be suitable - i.e. are all the mixes fairly similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 18, 2011 Report Share Posted January 18, 2011 Try and find out what it was. We'd love to hear I only know of JBL Florapol, AquaBasis Plus, Manado, Seachem substrates, and Dalton't Aquatic Mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 It didn't have a brand name. It is what my local Palmer's uses for their pond plants, just titled aquatic mix. Reading the back they said to cover with pebbles, and that it was low in fertilisers in order to avoid algae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 19, 2011 Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 If its low in fertilizers then what's the point in it? :facepalm: :roll: :lol: Stick to Dalton's Aquatic Mix or get JBL AquaBasis Plus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2011 Found some Going to be a big mission changing the Oscar tank to a planted tank this weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 20, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 So, doing a bit of reading, does this sound like it will work? Layer 1: Daltons - ~3cm - is that enough? Layer 2: Sand ~2cm Layer 3: Gravel/Pebbles ~3cm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 Just put as much Dalton's as you can fit - I'd mix it with peat and topsoil and make layer 5-7cm deep, then a 3cm layer of sand, and 5cm of fine gravel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 So, doing a bit of reading, does this sound like it will work? Layer 1: Daltons - ~3cm - is that enough? Layer 2: Sand ~2cm Layer 3: Gravel/Pebbles ~3cm That is a really deep substrate. When I used daltons it was about 3cm thick, with 2cm of sand on top. I'd only put on a thin level of gravel but its all up to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 The deeper the substrate the more room the plants' roots have to grow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshlikesfish Posted January 20, 2011 Report Share Posted January 20, 2011 What plants are you planning to use? Crypts and swords will like the deep stuff. But most stem plants will be alright If you'd like some ambulia or water sprite, flick us a pm and for the price of postage(or you can pick up, i'm in howick) I'll send you some clippings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobo Posted January 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2011 I'm going to be growing mainly crypts and swords. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.