Sand Stirrers Fw

[MermaidMel]

Mine had gravel at the lfs which is why it took them 10min to catch them but still they stayed on the top of my substrate for about a week and when i read about them where people were saying they hide away for most of the day i was a bit dubious so give it a while for them to settle. Also, if they are younger loaches then it is said they spend more time out and about and as they get older hide away more and become more nocturnal if i remember correctly.

And also I hope you have a lid on your tank as when i've done gravel vacs with water changes if they're not buried they scoot up the side of the tank from my experience.

Yes it has a lid. I look forward to seeing them behaving a bit more naturally soon then! I must say, they are very cute and pretty imo, thank you for bringing them to my attention!

 

[Snooks1!]

Sorry to Hyjack the thread but...What would you all recommend for a 5 gal hex tank? ( No snails please)

 

[invader]

Instead of fish, do it yourself during regular maintinence.

 

[Snooks1!]

Instead of fish, do it yourself during regular maintinence.

Really...to the point there, eh mate?

Let's start another argument about the directness, and apparent snideness, of the answers people give on this forum.




I was just curious if I would be able to keep something to do this, instead of me stirring it every week.

 

[invader]

Instead of fish, do it yourself during regular maintinence.

Really...to the point there, eh mate?

Let's start another argument about the directness, and apparent snideness, of the answers people give on this forum.




I was just curious if I would be able to keep something to do this, instead of me stirring it every week.

I wasn't trying to come off as snide, but in a 5 gallon hex you are pretty limited. I figured you would rather invest in fish that occupy the upper parts of the tank, rather than one that digs in the sand. It's not that hard to stir the sand every week, honestly. I do it in my 125 every week, which has a heck of a lot more sand to turn than a 5 gallon hex does.

Anyway, maybe pygmie cories?

 

[Mikaila31]

I agree with invaderwithkey. A fish may help turn the sand a little, but you can't expect it to turn all the sand in the tank. I have always considered turning the sand one of the downsides of sand, that you really can't get around. I just use a gravel vac to stir the sand around.

 

[Iron Man]

The sand doesn't need to be stirred every week unless you've got a HUGE fish load, which is not something he has for a 55 gallon. I've had sand for years and know it can go for months without anything being stirred. At least just make sure you give it ALL a complete stir every 6 months or so.

If in fact you DID have a huge fish load and had a lot of ornaments, etc that keep the sand compacted and ignored, deadly gas CAN and WILL form in those areas and yes they can kill your fish. I've seen this happen in at least one african cichlid tank.

When you see black areas form against the glass down in your sand bed (i'm not talking about green algae) you're getting overdue for a good stirring.

 

[invader]

The sand doesn't need to be stirred every week unless you've got a HUGE fish load, which is not something he has for a 55 gallon. I've had sand for years and know it can go for months without anything being stirred. At least just make sure you give it ALL a complete stir every 6 months or so.

If in fact you DID have a huge fish load and had a lot of ornaments, etc that keep the sand compacted and ignored, deadly gas CAN and WILL form in those areas and yes they can kill your fish. I've seen this happen in at least one african cichlid tank.

When you see black areas form against the glass down in your sand bed (i'm not talking about green algae) you're getting overdue for a good stirring.

I wouldn't necessarily say that you should prolong it for months. It really depends on the depth of the sand. The deeper, the more you should stir it and also, like you said, if you have lots of fish/ornaments.

 

[andywg]

Instead of fish, do it yourself during regular maintinence.

Let's start another argument about the directness, and apparent snideness, of the answers people give on this forum.

And then let's talk about people who get upset and cry about any reply which isn't sugar coated and can take offence when none is inferred.

Why post 100 words when fewer will do?

 

[Snooks1!]

Instead of fish, do it yourself during regular maintinence.

Let's start another argument about the directness, and apparent snideness, of the answers people give on this forum.

And then let's talk about people who get upset and cry about any reply which isn't sugar coated and can take offence when none is inferred.

Why post 100 words when fewer will do?

Because, to a person who is easily offended ( not talking about myself ) , a proper explanation would be more helpful than a simple yes or no.

I'm not complaining about anything, just merely saying; I've seen a few threads started about how direct and indifferent some of the replies on this board can be. I know he wasn't trying to be snide or smart with me, just merely commenting that I can see why some of those threads were started.

Let me make it very succinct so people can, and hopefully will, understand: I AM NOT pointing blame at anyone, or complaining about anything, merely pointing out something. His answer did not come off to me, in any way, shape, or form as rude, snide, or anything else of such matter. But, to some people, it might have appeared to be so.

 

[andywg]

Because, to a person who is easily offended ( not talking about myself ) , a proper explanation would be more helpful than a simple yes or no.

Aaah, but many people don't want to spend hours typing out unnecessary "fluff" to an answer. Would you rather they stopped answering at all, or get the short, swift answer? You petition for the people answering to be more considerate of the questioner, perhaps the latter should consider the former too?

I'm not complaining about anything, just merely saying; I've seen a few threads started about how direct and indifferent some of the replies on this board can be. I know he wasn't trying to be snide or smart with me, just merely commenting that I can see why some of those threads were started.

Those threads are always starting. Usually at least one every two to three months. To paraphrase CFC: if people are really that upset about the particular wording of advice from the internet on keeping fish, god only knows how they survive in the real world.

Let me make it very succinct so people can, and hopefully will, understand: I AM NOT pointing blame at anyone, or complaining about anything, merely pointing out something. His answer did not come off to me, in any way, shape, or form as rude, snide, or anything else of such matter. But, to some people, it might have appeared to be so.

Aaaah, so your post was on behalf of others who maybe, but not necessarily are, offended by it. You don't work for a council regarding Christmas decorations and nativity plays do you?

 

[Snooks1!]

No, I don't work anywhere.

People don't hire uneducated hicks.

 

[invader]

Aaaah, so your post was on behalf of others who maybe, but not necessarily are, offended by it. You don't work for a council regarding Christmas decorations and nativity plays do you?

This is why I love that you are on this forum.



Hey, Snooks. I'm a girl.

 

[Snooks1!]

Hey, Snooks. I'm a girl.

Duly noted

 

[andywg]

Aaaah, so your post was on behalf of others who maybe, but not necessarily are, offended by it. You don't work for a council regarding Christmas decorations and nativity plays do you?

This is why I love that you are on this forum.

You are very much in the minority though, I fear