Corys and changing gravel

sarcare

sarcare

AC Members
Aug 3, 2006
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Ok, I've been doing some research on corydoras and found out that gravel is bad for their barbell thingys. I had put in some gravel stuff that was a soil mix for plants, but it does have bigger bits that might hurt them. Would it be acceptable to add another layer of something less abrasive on top of the original layer? I don't think it is thick enough as it is (about 3/4 of an inch), so it would probably be a good idea to add more of something. What is best for corys that will still allow my plants (some kind of spiral sword) to root?

My tank specs (just in case you were wondering)
20 gallon planted tank
1 hornwart
java lace fern on driftwood
bunch of anarchias
1 spiral swords
6 Tiger barbs(between 1 in and 1.5 inches)
1 dwarf gourami
2 bronze cory cats (almost two inches)
Nitrites 0
Ammonia O
Nitrates O
PH 7.8-8
 
As long as your gravel doesn't have sharp edges, the cories will be fine. My peppered cories are in a tank with regular large brown gravel and have never had an issue with their barbels.
 
I'll be interested to hear other responses because I want pandas and I just have the regular aquarium gravel. Nothing sharp about it - it all looks like smooth stones.

Do I also need to think about another substrate because if I do, I want to put it in before I get the pandas.

Sorry to hijack!! :rolleyes:

guppygal
10g
3 male guppies
 
layering

I think I want to add some more substrate for my tank anyway, just because there isn't enough as it is. I'm not sure how to go about changing it though--or if I can just add to it after I vaccum the current layer. And I figured if I was going to add to it I might as well make sure it was good for my corys.
 
I agree with cricket. I have a school of five albino corys on regular aquarium gravel and they seem to have no issues with the gravel. You can add more substrate if you would like or even change out the old if you really want to but as for the need to in order for your corys to be safe and happy, its not necessary.
 
I also agree with the above. I have 6 pepper cories in one of my tanks and I use standard tank gravel. I've never had a problem.

On the note of your plants yes I would add some more. You need to keep in mind the plant roots will grow and they need the gravel to grow in. Keep what you have in there and add at least another inch on top. You should have no problems.
 
be careful it's not the kind of aquarium gravel that's sharp on the edges. it looks like little broken up pieces of larger rocks and is colored (blue, green, pink, white, black, etc.). i got that kind, thinking it was fine for my dojo loaches since it felt OK to my hands. but one developed barbel infections where his whiskers shrunk due to chronic bacterial infections. to be safe, maybe go with the gravel that's more rounded like river rock gravel and colored more naturally (various shades of tan/brown) :)
 
Regular gravel shoud be fine for the cories. If you are worried and want something different, since you already have a planted aquarium, you could go with something like eco-complete. It is a substrate of very fine gravel almost to the texture of sand. This substrate is black and looks very natural and really makes your fish colors really stand out. Only thing is it tends to be a bit pricey.

Marinemom
 
I do not know much about cory's just wanted to say I have eco-complete for my plants...under sand, I've had no problems and my plants do fine (playsand is what I have) other's I've read about use pool sand, no matter what if you decided to go with that be sure you rinse the sand VERY well before using the playsand is like 5 bucks for 60lbs. But if you have "rock" under the sand the sand is just going to eventualy make it's way under the rock and will end up on bottom. I don't know what you have for "gravel stuff that was a soil mix for plants" Onyx, eco-complete,florite? But it sounds like from what others who have cory's have said you should be ok, just wanted to let you know it is ok to layer something on top if you feel you need to (also, you most likely know this) but don't add it while the fish are in your tank. Oh and one more thing...if your tank is already established you should at least take some of the old substrate and put it in a hose or cheescloth or something like that to put in the tank after you are done leave it in there for a couple weeks because you will be messing up you bacteria growth by covering the top of the substrate that is already established possibley causing a "mini"-cycle.
BTW: I love the look of eco-complete myself and if I could afford to cover the entire bottom of my 75g with it that is what I would go with!! (that's just me I like black) ;)
Good luck with what ever you decide,
Gin
 
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