Yeah, this is true. So, I am still confused about what to do with the flourite? Should I leave it in or take it out? What is the safest think to do?
Please let me know. Thank you.
Please let me know. Thank you.
Noob 30 gallon cichlid tank
- Thread starter bamosherjr
- Start date
flourite isn't going to hurt the fish. if they dig in it it'll make the water a little brown (like when you first put it in the tank) but that's it. if you really want to get rid of it, sand would be a good safe option for any fish you put in there. no need to buy it from the lfs and pay $$$ though, there are other options.
pool filter sand, quikrete commercial grade medium sand (which i use), even play sand although that tends to be very fine and turn 'muddy'. if you aren't going to have any bottom feeders that sit on the bottom all the time and you like black sand you could even go with a sandblasting sand like Black Beauty ( i think that's the name of one brand). Or for a little more $ you could look into 3M brand sands (but still cheaper than LFS sand).
Okay, so this should allow the levels to be at the right levels than right? And it wont turn muddy? I think i might go with the Quickrete stuff. I noticed on their website they have three different grits(grades). Also, should i put 50 or 100 pounds of sand in?
Also, I think that I am going to be putting a plecostamus in that tank as a bottom feeder. Is this a good idea or not? I noticed that he gets picked on by my little dalmation molly as well. Not sure why.
Also, I think that I am going to be putting a plecostamus in that tank as a bottom feeder. Is this a good idea or not? I noticed that he gets picked on by my little dalmation molly as well. Not sure why.
if you want a "saltwater" looking fish than get ondesa barbs, when they get there color they look just like someting of finding nemo
buy a 50lb bag, and use maybe 10 lbs of it for the tank. you only want it 1/2 inch-1 inch deep. make sure you rinse it well outside before putting it in the tank, and do not run the filters while adding the sand.
what kind pf pleco do you have? common plecos do not belong in small tanks at all. a species that stays under 4-5 inches would be okay.
what kind pf pleco do you have? common plecos do not belong in small tanks at all. a species that stays under 4-5 inches would be okay.
I've never had any problems with a crushed coral substrate (compacting/'catching' poop etc.) - thorough gravel vacs seem to keep it just fine.
it does harden water, but then this is what is sought, with a view to setting up a rift lake tank.
you don't need it as substrate...you can add to filter...put in in some netting, fill up about 1 third of the media compartment with it, something like that, as discussed above, if that's what you decide to go with (the tangs).
it does harden water, but then this is what is sought, with a view to setting up a rift lake tank.
you don't need it as substrate...you can add to filter...put in in some netting, fill up about 1 third of the media compartment with it, something like that, as discussed above, if that's what you decide to go with (the tangs).
the cc compacting may be more of a saltwater thing where they do not mess with the substrate, but it can happen in freshwater tanks if neglected long enough.
