rockgurl89 Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 I have just today got my new 160l tank, and am now thinking about substrates. I currently have 2 bristle noses and was thinking that if I used sand then they would ingest it (obviously NOT desirable), so would a finer gravel around 2-5mm be more suitable for them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Plecs generally originate from dirty, scungy rivers/streams with silt, sand, mud etc... I wouldn't panic about it, but: If you want 2-5mm sand, go daltons propegating mix, awesome stuff, wouldn't use anything else myself... and have kept many plecs with it successfully... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazyGeoff Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 They should be fine with sand. Some of my tanks have sand and it's not a bother for he BN. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 haven't had trouble with sand and BN's but did have trouble with several pleco's (BN's included) ingesting black silica substrate and it killing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 haven't had trouble with sand and BN's but did have trouble with several pleco's (BN's included) ingesting black silica substrate and it killing them This intrigues me... Wonder why the black silica would be different? :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Perhaps it's been mined and so is sharp, and not naturally water eroded and rounded particles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockgurl89 Posted July 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 well I was thinking the black silica substrate, but maybe not after hearing that. Will go with the fine gravel. Thanks for your help :thup: much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 it was the aqua one silica, its extremely sharp (had a customer return it as it was cutting her fingers) plus my plants would not grow in it (except for one very good crypt) replaced it with 4-6mm river gravel and no more dead plecos (do miss my 15cm albino tho) and exceptional plant growth (ambulia up to 2cm per day and Twisted val about the same) also there is reports of a red slime 'Algae' frequently overtaking tanks with it (not every one but quite a few) and have been told by a local pet store that uses it that you can get an antibacterial from the vet to combat it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaide Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 I assume white silica sand would be the same problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dachende Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 I'm using the white silica sand from Hollywood fish farm , with 5 BN's and a Tiger panaque, which so far seem to have no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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