Food/Gravel/Sand question

[bookseller]

Newbie here... my 10 gal tank is still "cycling" with an initial stock of fish. I'm trying to abide by the "3 minute" rule but I still have "food waste" problems due to the following.

First, the fish (neon tetra's and zebra danios) seem incredibly picky. They (both species) don't eat certain color flakes (red especially) but still continue eating other colors. The red flakes of course fall to the bottom to rot.

Second, they will not eat off the bottom (I also have a "cory" cat for bottom cleaning) and it seems that a large part of the flakes fall to the bottom. In other words, if they don't get to the food as it falls they they're not the least bit interested.

Adding to the problem, I think my gravel is too large (standard Walmart issue gravel) as once the food gets to the bottom even the catfish has problems "digging it out".

I saw a pic here with one tank having sand on the bottom. That seems like a real plus to me. What's the deal with sand vs gravel??? and what about "cleaning" sand?

Comments on feeding and sand/gravel please.

 

[dolphin]

Hi bookseller

Do you have a UGF (under gravel filter)? If the answer if yes and you want to keep it, you can not have sand in the tank. If you use a power filter, then you can have sand. To clean it just use a gravle vac, been careful not to syphon the sand out of the tank.

If the fish are missing most of the food. Feed smaller ammounts, but more often. The uneaten food will help to cycle the tank, but you must make sure that not too much builds up. If it does, use a gravel vac to remove it.


HTH

 

[MamaPish]

Gee maybe we could get together and make a flake exchange......my angels prefer only the red flakes...
What is up with that anyway....do they taste differently???
I am not doin that taste test!!

I use a product that is smaller than the normal walmart gravel....my lfs sells it, but it is actually filter media...like what is used for swimming pools, it comes in a 50lb bag...I have a pic posted somewhere on here... will find it...I use it with my UGF and it is really a great substrate.

Here it is....Filter Media #1

Filter Media #2

HTH

 

[bookseller]

Do you have a UGF (under gravel filter)?

and

I use a product that is smaller than the normal walmart gravel....my lfs sells it, but it is actually filter media...l

Yes, but the setup now just uses airstones for "lift" and not power heads. My main filter is a power filter. Would not mind getting rid of the UGF at all..

As to the smaller "gravel". Hummm.. that may be a good way to go. Guess I could use it to fill the "gaps" in my current gravel... That a great tip. Thanks.

I used to own a hobby store and I sold "colored sand" for craft use. Does anybody know if this would be safe for fish?

 

[KnuckleHead]

If its silca based I wouldnt use it. Im not sure what fish you have but some cichlids like to dig pits in the substrate. Silica sand has sharp edges and may harm the fish when they burrow. My favorite sand is tahitian black moon sand. Its dark color hides dirt and debris between cleanings. You could always use play sand from any home imp. store. With that you have to rinse it ALOT until the water runs clear. Its alot cheaper though.

 

[Nik]

I have 1 tank set up with sand. It looks cool and the plants seem to grow well in this substrate but it does show the waste on the floor more than my small gravel set ups. So I do regular "hoovering" sessions taking as little water as possible but as much waste away as possible. In addition sand often allows build ups of gases in the sand. Therefore I hav Khuli loaches who did around but even then an occassional scrape is required to stop these build ups.

I mostly use small natural gravel which looks good, is easy to clean and allows bottom feeders to scratch around pretty easily.

 

[jumpman]

Hey Nik,

where did you get your sand from?? I am thinking of getting some for that new tank I was talking about......convicts prefer sand???

 

[Nik]

I've got 2 spare bags of sand that you are happy to take for minimal pennies if we meet up to exchange the convicts.

But your LFS will sell it and it's not expensive.