New tank

[Brendanpat]

Just bought my new 28 gallon tank . Planning on sand for my substrate. Is this definitely the right move ? Plan to stock maybe 8/9 corydoras 8/9tetras maybe some others if I have room . And i have some live plants ordered aswell . All advice welcome please

 

[PheonixKingZ]

What are your pH, GH, and KH readings? You can find these out, by going to your local water providers website, or by calling them. (Try to get actual numbers. Ex. ppm)

We need to know your water hardness, in order to suggest species that would properly fit your tank.

 

[PhantomCarp]

Just bought my new 28 gallon tank . Planning on sand for my substrate. Is this definitely the right move ? Plan to stock maybe 8/9 corydoras 8/9tetras maybe some others if I have room . And i have some live plants ordered aswell . All advice welcome please

With that size tank you have some good options but like PK said we need water chemistry to give exact recommendations. What are the dimensions of the tank?

 

[Brendanpat]

Ph 7.0
Gh 120ppm
Kh120
My last test results ...

 

[Brendanpat]

Tank dimensions 750mm long x350mm wide x400mm high

 

[PheonixKingZ]

You should be able to keep a nice shoal for 8+ Corydoras. (Albino, bronze, Julii, Panda, etc.)

What tetra species were you thinking?

 

[Brendanpat]

Great. And sand is best ?Will different types of corydoras shoal together or do they need to be all the same ?neon tetras ?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Great. And sand is best ?Will different types of corydoras shoal together or do they need to be all the same ?neon tetras ?

Yes, they need sand, as they are filter feeders. (They take a mouthful of sand and sift through it for food)

They prefer to shoal in the same species. (So get 8 Panda, and 8 Julii. <- that was just an example)

Neon tetras would work in your water hardness. A group of 6 or more is preferable.

 

[AbbeysDad]

I think sand is MUCH better than gravel...but not a fine sand. I prefer pool filter sand although others have had great success with big box play sand. The beauty of sand over gravel is nothing gets down under to decay...and no need for gravel vacuuming - yea! Add some Malaysian Trumpet Snails and you never need to touch the substrate again...well maybe just a little for planting some rooted plants.
Now fine sand tends to pack and make rooted plants work harder. You also don't want to stir sand as some suggest as stirring sand just buries crud down under where anaerobic decomposition could result...and you don't want that.
If you have some mulm that's bothering you, simply hover over the surface to remove it...but don't fear the mulm.

 

[Brendanpat]

Excited to get started . This will be my second tank to put together. So more research done this time hopefully it goes better. Thanks for advice

 

[Brendanpat]

I think sand is MUCH better than gravel...but not a fine sand. I prefer pool filter sand although others have had great success with big box play sand. The beauty of sand over gravel is nothing gets down under to decay...and no need for gravel vacuuming - yea! Add some Malaysian Trumpet Snails and you never need to touch the substrate again...well maybe just a little for planting some rooted plants.
Now fine sand tends to pack and make rooted plants work harder. You also don't want to stir sand as some suggest as stirring sand just buries crud down under where anaerobic decomposition could result...and you don't want that.
If you have some mulm that's bothering you, simply hover over the surface to remove it...but don't fear the mulm.

Not sure on which sand to buy . The pet shop is getting some aquarium sand in . Would it be fine or should I go for the play sand ?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Not sure on which sand to buy . The pet shop is getting some aquarium sand in . Would it be fine or should I go for the play sand ?

I would go for play sand. It’s cheap, safe, and looks great.

Here is my 29g tank (which is close to your soon-to-be 28g tank) with play sand:

As you can see, it looks very natural.

 

[Brendanpat]

Yes .Looks great . And it'll need to be washed before use ?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

Not sure on which sand to buy . The pet shop is getting some aquarium sand in . Would it be fine or should I go for the play sand ?

The only play sand that I know has been confirmed aquarium safe that's available in the UK is the Argos play sand, which only comes in the one, well, sand colour. But it is much cheaper than aquarium sand and would be fine for cories. A lot of the standard play sands you'll see for sale online have been dyed, and those dyes can leech into your aquarium and poison your tank.

American's seem to have a lot more choices when it comes to undyed play sands and pool filter sand than we do. If you don't fancy the Argos play sand, then better to splurge the cost for proper aquarium sand. Make sure it's an inert sand, and not a silicate or coral sand meant for marine tanks, since those would affect your water chemistry and plant growth.


Guys, when recommending play sand, especially to those in the UK where we have much more limited options, please at least include a warning not to buy any old play sand. If they buy a random kids play sand online, even one that looks natural, there's a very good chance that it will have been dyed and has the potential to wipe out their brand new tank.

 

[Brendanpat]

This one is safe ? 2 or 3 bags enough for my tank ?