Aquarium For Albino Cory?

[NESBob]

What would be the smallest suitable aquarium for housing six Albino Cory? Please, take into consideration that the aquarium will be an Amazon biotope aquarium with live aquatic plants, and bog/driftwood utilizing a significant portion of the aquarium's floor.

-NES Bob

 

[techen]

I would recommend at least 20gal with a soft base like sand so not to damage his barbs.

 

[NESBob]

@ techen - This is a quote from a freshwater aquarium how to book that I am reading, "A fine or medium gravel is best, while sand can cause problems." I have heard other individuals suggest sand. Therefore, you are not the first, but what "problems" can I expect from sand? If any...

-NES Bob

 

[fluttermoth]

Sand can get compacted and, under some circumstances, turn anaerobic and produce hydrogen suphide gas which, at one time, was thought to kill fish.
 
There is very little evidence to suggest this is true, although there are anecdotal reports out there of it happening. I've had sand in most of my tanks for getting on three years now and have had no problems, even when I have stirred up a patch that's gone anaerobic; it stinks, but I haven't lost any fish because of it.
 
Personally, after seeing the difference in cories on sand rather than gravel, I will never keep them on gravel again, of any shape or size.
 
Part of their natural behaviour is to dive, head first, into the substrate and sift it through their gills, and they just can't do that on gravel; it can also harbour uneaten food leading to the fish losing their barbels due to infections.

 

[NESBob]

@ fluttermoth - Ok, both sand, and gravel have their dangers. However, while the dangers attributed to gravel are substantiated the dangers attributed to sand are not substantiated. With that said is there any way to protect the sand from becoming anaerobic?

-NES Bob

 

[snazy]

Any substrate will become anaerobic if too deep and debris gets into it. Unsiphoned gravel will over time as well, because debris falls and builds up the gaps, hence why it needs siphoning more than sand. The question is whether that affects the fish or not.
 
If you want to prevent that from happening, if the tank is unplanted, put just a thin layer of substrate. If planted, plant heavily with plants with big root systems like echinodorus and crypts. Their roots oxygenate the substrate, preventing it from becoming oxygen depleted/anaerobic.

 

[NESBob]

@ snazy - I believe that I have decided to use sand for my substrate considering the fact that it benefits the natural behavior of the Cory catfish. However, which type would you suggest. I attempted to look into my options, but I found most sands to be marine, Cichlid, or Beta specific. I was shocked when I searched Amazon biotope sand. Everyone suggested cleaning, and using "sand box" sand. I also read that the substrate should consist of 1.5 lbs. of substrate for each gallon of water. Is this accurate? Also, is it accurate that snails can help clean the substrate?

-NES Bob

 

[FreshwaterAfishianado]

Yes play sand can be used just fine as substrate for your aquarium, just make sure you rinse, rinse and rinse it some more as it is quite a bit dirtier that aquarium sand. But you will have to wash either on of them and the play sand is MUCH less expensive. As far as the lb. Per gallon it depends on the footprint of your tank, tall tanks will use less substrate than long shallow ones, I try to cover the bottom with at least 1" of sand, you could go for a little more to help keep the place t roots down but if you get too deep you run more of a risk of that anaerobic bacteria problem. About 1 1/2" - 2" would probably work well. As for the original aquarium size a 15 gallon could probably house 6 corys fine if they are the only fish you plan to keep in it, but I think its always best to get the largest your budget and space will allow for as larger systems are much more stable, and if you're anything like me you'll inevitably itch to add more fish.

 

[NESBob]

@ FreshwaterAfishianado - I do have several larger aquariums that are empty at the moment. I am opting for a smaller aquarium because I am trying something new. I am trying to do things the right way. In the past I was an, "Oh, I like that fish" type of aquarist. The only thing I considered when purchasing fish was whether they were a freshwater, or saltwater species. I experienced SO MANY problems... I experienced fish killing other fish, fish outgrowing the aquarium, fish being eaten by crayfish, crabs on the run in my house, and a snail population explosion. Due to my past experience, or lack of experience, I am trying this on a smaller scale. I will gradually increase my involvement as I learn how to do things the right way.

-NES Bob

 

[FreshwaterAfishianado]

That's great that you're doing research before stocking this tank. So many of us (myself included) started this hobby without a clue how to not just keep fish alive, but healthy and happy.

I would say if you are only keeping 6 corys in the tank than a 20 gallon is probably the best option, just remember to leave at least one sizeable area of open sand for them to dig/play in your aquascape, and with corydoras its more about surface area than gallons so the longer more shallow tanks would be better.

 

[Wildbetta]

On the subject of sand, I use play sand in almost all my tanks and have had no real issues with it and corys.  I use malaysian trumpet snails to help combat the compaction of the sand.  They are constantly in the substrate stirring it up as well as using plants with the bigger root systems like swords and crypts.  I have kept corys on small gravel and have seen more of a loss of barbells on that substrate than I ever did on sand.  I also would say that 20 gallons(the long version is the best) is the smallest tank you can use for a good group of albino corys.  They get to a decent size and you need to provide a good footprint for them.  I can't wait to see this nice setup once you are done.

 

[snazy]

@ snazy - I believe that I have decided to use sand for my substrate considering the fact that it benefits the natural behavior of the Cory catfish. However, which type would you suggest. I attempted to look into my options, but I found most sands to be marine, Cichlid, or Beta specific. I was shocked when I searched Amazon biotope sand. Everyone suggested cleaning, and using "sand box" sand. I also read that the substrate should consist of 1.5 lbs. of substrate for each gallon of water. Is this accurate? Also, is it accurate that snails can help clean the substrate?
 
I know people have had good success with play sand. I currently setup a tank with playsand but this stuff is very fine. I wouldn't go more than 1" with it because in the long term you may experience problems.
If you are planting the tank, best is sand around 1mm grain size or slightly smaller, like 0.8-0.9mm if you can get it(only because of the corys) Make sure it's inert(doesn't change water stats as some contain lime for example) This type of sand is heavy enough, doesn't compact easily, doesn't float around, it's easier to plant, etc.. and the corys will still burrow into it.
I have similar stuff in 3 tanks and it's great.
Malaysian trumpet snails will help clean the sand, as they burrow into the substrate and will process uneaten stuff that falls there and may lead to problems. But they won't oxygenate the sand. Plants will.
Shrimp, like cherry shrimp are very good additions to a cory tank too and keep the bottom clean as well so you'll have no problems.

 

[NESBob]

Ok, I imagine this is where my OCD takes over. I have a few questions... 1) Is playsand consistent with an Amazon biotope aquarium? 2) I love the idea of including shrimp and snails, but are there Amazon species that serve the same purpose. The only Amazon snail I come across on a regular basis is the Apple Snail, and the only Amazon shrimp I come across on a regular basis are the Glass/Ghost shrimp, and the Vampire shrimp which has a debated habitat of origin.

-NES Bob

 

[fluttermoth]

1. Yes, it is, although there is no one 'Amazonian' biotype; there are many, as the system is so huge!
 
2. I would go with one apple snail and some ghost shrimps. There may be others, but you're unlikely to be able to source them

 

[NESBob]

@ fluttermoth - This is the response I was expecting. I suspected that the Apple Snail, and the Glass/Ghost Shrimp would be my most likely subjects. With that said... I have read, and/or heard that while shrimp do help the substrate it is important to have several to receive a large scale benefit. Is this true, and if it is true... How many should I include?

-NES Bob