Flourite for a loach tank = Bad Idea?

asincero

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Jan 16, 2006
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I'm in the planning stages of setting up a planted loach tank. I'm considering using a plant-specific substrate such as Flourite, but since loaches like to dig I'm starting to think that might not be such a bright idea. Would the constant digging of the loaches cause the Flourite to cloud the tank?
 
no, it should be fine, just rinse out the flourite really well
 
I had three Botia almorhae in a tank with fluorite, and there were no clouding problems. But, they never did dig very much. It really annoyed me--I wanted fish for the lower-level of the tank and they spent most of their time swimming at mid-level. I have never had the clouding problems other people seem so worried about with Flourite though. Either I got a defective batch, am just a better rinser, or there is something wrong with everyone else. From what I know now my biggest concern with digging fish would be that the particles are too rough or jagged for their barbels.
 
One of my clowns, Ophelia, is a digging fool. She is ALWAYS digging around in the Flourite for snails and there's never any dust raised by her digging.

She's never hurt herself on the Flourite and neither have my corycats.

Roan
 
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