Gravel

[Blubble37]

Ok so here is my plans for my new 50 litre (48 actually) tank layout so far.

1x Male purple/blue betta

6x Neon Tetra

4x Dwarf Corydora

Filtration-

1x 250l/h fluval U1 Rated for up to 55 litres(just sbout enough flow so i dont upset the betta )

Aeration-
1x Interpet AP MINI 75 l/h air pump driving one 4 inch airstone

But i want your advice gravel guys, this is going to be a lightly/moderately planted tank with things like amazon sword but i want to know what gravel is best and what colour?

I could use sand but i dont know how the plants would like it

 

[Blubble37]

anyone

 

[matt_storey]

2 words,

personal preference

But with you having cories i'd recommend sand

 

[Aquamaniac]

If you want to use sand you can use SILICA. Its a very white sand used in the making of glass.Its neutral does not affect the water,plants or fishes.Buts its very white and requires some work to keep clean.
Also as alternative can look at POND/POOL filter sand,you can find it at any POND and POOL shop.Its basicaly the same but less white.A bit more like beach sand.

This is silica sand i used in an old tank back in 2007

 

[Blubble37]

i was thinking of sand but i dont really want to be seeing poop on top of it, preferrably some sort of gravel since it is a planted tank and the poop can dissapear underneath it (i might do an undergravel filter)

2 words,

personal preference

But with you having cories i'd recommend sand

these cories are mid water dwelling and only go to the bottom to sleep, they feed off of the food and algae on my broadleaf plants

 

[marieukxx]

If you're getting corys sand is best or fine gravel. You can get good fine gravel, I bought a really fine gravel recently.

 

[Aquamaniac]

With some corys and normal maintenance you wont have any poop on top of it.
Corys albino are bottom dwellers.put a couple of them and the'll do the job.the dwarf ones are midwater they don't clean the gravel.

 

[Blubble37]

thing is, i only have a small tank so the dwarves are about the only thing really! i have a gravel vac though... What colour do you think will do best if these are colourful fish?

 

[Aquamaniac]

Corys albino are better for good use of space.You should use diferent layer fishes to maximize space. But if you want the dwarves i don't see a problem.the vac will keep it clean.But beware Sand its not easy to vac.But i did it for 2 years with no problems.

 

[Blubble37]

I'll go for fine gravel mate. What colour will show up their colours best?