Cory substrate?

[bgourami320]

Thank you guys I really appreciate it. Just trying to figure everything out before I set the tank up(didn't even pick it up yet!). I just love cory cats and want them to be happy. I'd like to get the Sterbai cory's.
BFM, the mix sounds good to me, I was thinking of making an area of just sand and gravel in most other places, just an area of plain sand for the cory's. But I would think that the gravel would eventually be moved around by whatever other fish are in the tank anyways. But I like that you mixed it, I think I will too.

 

[BettaFishMommy]

the mix works well, allows for a dense enough substrate for plant roots but has enough 'air space' that anerobic gas pockets don't form (my substrate is nearly 4 inches deep in some spots, lol). this 'air space' also allows nutrients to reach the plant roots through the substrate and i don't gravel vac my planted tank at all.

 

[GCL]

I set up a tank specifically for some Sterbai cories that were getting barbel erosion in a tank with eco complete.

I used the "Carib Sea Instant Aquarium Freshwater Substrate", the "Peace River" one, and their barbels are growing back nicely.

I was amazed at how "soft" it is. Meaning that, even when handling it and stirring it around it was not at all rough to my skin.
It also holds plants well. I add liquid and tab fertilizer for the plants.

Here's a link to it;

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+9805+21412&pcatid=21412

 

[bgourami320]

BFMom they sound adorable! I'm going to check out pool filter sand and see what that is, sounds decent and a mix with small pea gravel I think would look good too.
A friend just told me he's going to give me some Bolivian Rams, he bred them. He has 18 tanks! I think I'm going to go South American themed.

 

[Ballyhoo]

I use black Gold sand from a hardware store.
It's very fine black sand, I love it

 

[discuspaul]

Cories

I've had several Cories for many months in my planted discus tank, which has large pieces of choc. brown substrate with many pointed edges - looks a bit like pieces of brown slate -1/4" +, to 1/2" in size. No problem at all with their barbels. They scrounge a lot & don't damage themselves - they're smarter, tougher, and perhaps more careful than you think - & can adjust to many different types of substrate. Wouldn't worry about it, if I were you.

 

[Plague]

I'm using eco complete and so far my peppered cory's aren't affected by it. They don't dig in it or anything but it doesn't hurt them.

 

[Lillyan]

I use regular play sand. None of my fish ever have an issue with it. Have 6 Green Cory cats on it now in a 90g.

 

[stevezx2002]

I solved my problem with the big pices of gravel being too big. I went to Big R and they had smaller size pea gravel that looks amazing and it was only $2 a bag.

 

[Piranha86]

Pea gravel from a pet store (top fin gravel, petco gravel, etc.) is fine for cories, but the pea gravel stevezx2002 had in the sev tank is not. It's kind of rough and wears down their bellies. PlaySand, Pool Filter Sand, etc. is phenomenal for cories, but not silica sand, as it is sharp and grinds down their tummies.