Betta W/sand?

[Kikie86]

I'm trying to accomodate for my new corydoras in my betta tank. I just put in a shrimp pellet for the new lil guys (who by the way my betta completely ignores and vice versa) and saw it sinking into my colored lil rocks (or gravel? whatever it's called). I know sand is the best thing for corydoras to have. Is it at all pracitcal to put it in my tank? I have no clue when it comes to sand or how to clean it, etc. Any suggestions??
Thanks

 

[tnhowery]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...373&hl=sand

Heres a link to some good information for converting to sand and how to do it...

As for a betta with sand ive got one in a 2.5 gallon with sand and everthing seems fine i cant see where it would cause any harm for any fish.

 

[Kikie86]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showto...373&hl=sand

Heres a link to some good information for converting to sand and how to do it...

As for a betta with sand ive got one in a 2.5 gallon with sand and everthing seems fine i cant see where it would cause any harm for any fish.

Thank you!!!

As another kind of related question, I was wondering what is the benefit of having something like sand, gravel, or w/e on the bottom of a tank? I always have but don't know what exactly it does. Is it purely for aesthetic reasons?

 

[tnhowery]

Well it can go both ways alot of people like their gravel and thats what they will use. Personally i believe the benifits are much greater than gravel.
1. Much easier to clean
2. Better on the fish especially the bottom dwellers.
3. It looks great, i believe a natural looking tank is the best way to go.

But this is just my opinion and that counts for nothing, my best answer would be to try it, i got a 50lb. bag of sand for $3.50. CHEAP, so if you decide you dont like it switch back to gravel ultimately it is your choice.

TH

 

[LouiseRat]

sand is much better for corys as sometimes the gravel can wear their little whiskies down

 

[l.michelle]

When I was doing my research on cories, I read that sand is needed, because the gravel has some sharp spots which would scratch up their tummies.

Also, because they are bottom feeders, as you found out, their food might get beyond reach for them if it falls through the cracks.

 

[lisie]

As another kind of related question, I was wondering what is the benefit of having something like sand, gravel, or w/e on the bottom of a tank? I always have but don't know what exactly it does. Is it purely for aesthetic reasons?

Yup, pretty much. Some fish (I think cories being one) like to have sand to "sift" through, it's necessary for some live aquarium plants, and some beneficial bacteria will live there (but the filter media is the biggie on that obviously) but other than that, substrate is purely aesthetic. It's actually often recommended to have bare-bottomed tanks for the especially messy fishies, like oscars for example.

 

[Taridan]

Just a note, if your betta has never been in a tank with sand before, the first day or so you might see them trying to pick at stuff off of the sand... I got black sand for my tanks, and all three of the fish that I used it with tried to pick at something sitting on the sand and well, got a mouth full of sand. Then of course they looked all pissed off and gaggy, but after the first few times they learned not to try and eat the sand.

 

[Kikie86]

Thank you everyone ! All of these comments are very helpful, I can't wait to go back home for Thanksgiving break (I'm at college) and switch out my gravel for sand!