RCS and red gravel

Cluunox

Cluunox

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Feb 6, 2009
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Well long story short would like to know if there would be any foreseeable water quality problems if I added black sand over my red gravel until I have a stable black surface layer.

I would really like to be able to see the RCS lol.

Oh that reminds me of another question. Would having black sand make it any more dangerous for the shrimp than it is now with the Harlequin rasboras and Neon tetras in with them? Right now I am not sure how well they can be seen by the fish just know I can’t see them lol never thought they were this small.
 
It depends on how deep your substrate ends up being. Sand can trap some nasty gases, especially if you have more than a couple of inches total of substrate. Digging snails like MTS can help mitigate the problem, but they don't often dig down very deep.
 
Well in the deepest part where the crypt is the gravel is already 2 1/2" deep so maybe just a bit more than that. Most of the tank is closer to 1 to 1 1/2" deep.
 
I agree, just stirring it up would be fine. The only problem i see is the sand sifting down through the gravel and mixing up.
 
Yup; I've never seen the gas problem myself... just what I've read. :)

Yeah, I can imagine that over time the sand will scoot down under the top layer of gravel. Maybe you could get some black gravel and put that over the top instead?
 
pbmax said:
Yup; I've never seen the gas problem myself... just what I've read. :)

Yeah, I can imagine that over time the sand will scoot down under the top layer of gravel. Maybe you could get some black gravel and put that over the top instead?
Click to expand...

It would still get mixed up though, I think the best would be to change the substrate completely.
 
True enough.

How about setting up a brand new tank for the shrimp with black sand and leaving the fish in the tank with the red gravel? :D :D
 
Yeh I agree either fill it and never touch it and take the chance of major
catastrophe or change it completely.


Maybe its time for a complete redo.

Thanks for the replies. I appriciate the help and ideas.
 
pbmax said:
True enough.

How about setting up a brand new tank for the shrimp with black sand and leaving the fish in the tank with the red gravel? :D :D
Click to expand...


Would love to but unemployed and any mention of bigger tanks like the 40 breeder I want sends the wife into a condition that makes me glad I don't keep any of my guns here.

I do have the bare bottom 10g QT with potted plants which unless some of these fish die I should not need so I might throw some in there. It at least has reg. fluorite as potting substrate so its brown not red lol.

Thanks again everyone for the help.
 
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