discus & bottom reflection

When I defoliated my 125g discus tank I went to bare bottom for about a month. All my discus are adult. With no substrate, they were assuming a slightly tilted position all the time, I guess due to seeing their reflections, so I put about 1/2" of pool filter sand on the bottom and they love it. It's really cool to see them "blow" into the sand looking for food. The live blackworms crawl down into the sand leaving abot 1/2" of body sticking out, looking like red grass. The discus pick them off easily. I find that the sand bottom isn't any harder to keep clean than bb because it's such a thin layer.

Mark
 
Pool sand is what's in with them now, ~1/4 inch. I had it in there for my apistos, tried them bare bottom & they seemed uptight. Added the sand & they spawned within a couple days.

I think some of these new discus babies may be having trouble seeing the food on the sand at times. Today I moved a little sand over the most fascinating area but some spots are bare. I was using my smallest gravel vac that can't suck up much sand.

I'll try removing the sand & see how they do, probably with Debbi's cardboard idea. I can always put sand in again. Like I said, they still getting used to their new home, some are attacking the thermometer now, goofy kids.
 
And, um....did you forget where you put your cam-er-a?:popcorn:
 
No camera, it's still over on Ebay...I need Timwag to come over for pics....too embarassing before vacation, I didn't want to change anything. New loaches & garra too...TIM!!! Stop playing with your cloudy water!!
 
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