Sand?

[ScuabaDuba]

I have a 10 gallon community tank. Right now, as I am waiting to isnert African cichlids, I have only a few fish:

2 corey
1 Gold Gourami
1 Common Pleco
1 Catfish- can't ID, will post pic. for help later.

I have a mix of pebbles and stones as substrate, and was intrigued by the idea of using sand, instead.

Will this be okay for my fish?

When I switch to high PH cichlid tank, will it be okay then, as well?

Thanks!

 

[Puffer_freak]

When you say switch, do you mean get a new tank, or keep in the same tank, from what I've heard you can;t keep cichilids in a 10g tank?

Also, cichilids eat all other fish except their own species, have you done you research?

 

[ScuabaDuba]

I'm waiting on the cichlids. I won't put them in with anything other than a Pleco- from what I hear, that's all right.

I'm talking about changing the substrate from rocks to sand- is it okay for the fish I have and plan to have?

 

[LadyMinion]

Sand is very popular with many aquarists and fish seem to like it too.

I know several people here have sand in their cichlid tanks and the cichlids are perfectly happy.

Your cories will adore the sand - they love to sift through it and chuck it out their gills.

 

[rvm]

I may be wrong, but I think you need a significantly bigger tank than 10g for african cichlids. You're going to need a 3ft tank at least. Check out the pinned thread under the african cichlids section of this forum!!!

 

[ScuabaDuba]

This, along with an electric blue variety, is the kind of cichlid I mean:

 

[Aquascaper]

Erm, you do know that a common plec will grow to between 12" - 18"

Far too big for a 10 gallon

 

[parker313]

Yup - cichlids need a bigger tank than a 10g and a pleco needs a bigger tank than a 10g

 

[ScuabaDuba]

I've had him for years and he's 5 inches. Healthy, eats well, no diseases, swims normally.

 

[Aquascaper]

If he is a common plec and you've had him years and he's only 5" then you have a seriously stunted plec

He should be fully mature by now if that's the case and should be touching either end of your 10g.............not 5"

 

[ScuabaDuba]

Maybe I was told the wrong thing, then.

He is brown with golden specs at times. Other times, he has a musty gray coat over the brown/gold.

Any idea?

 

[rvm]

Sounds like my Gibbiceps plec, in which case he should be easily 12"-15"!
I'd reconsider those cichlids unless you have the money to get a much bigger tank, Sorry. It'll be worth it though, they're great fish!!

 

[Nina7777]

The cichlids you have a picture of there, are yellow labs and red zebras and neither variety can be kept in a 10 gallon tank. you will DEFINATELY end up with DEAD fish. They are far too aggressive to be kept in such small quarters. and that can be considered fish abuse!


as far as the sand goes yes they love sand.