Substrate & Fish Advice Please

[stormy78]

Hi all, I have not kept fish for over 10 years and having trawled the forum I have seen people using sand as a substrate. In the past I have used course gravel but like the look of the sand (silver and darker colours). I would like to look at using sand as a substrate but I have a few questions:

1) Is anything else used below the sand layer?
2) How do you clean it without totally clouding the tank?
3) I would like to have a fairly planted tank. How do the plants find rooting in sand?

Also the tank I have order is the Juwel Trigon 190 and would like to do an Amazon/south America theme. If anybody can point me in the right direction with regard to compatible community fish it would be much appreciated! The only fish I know I would like are some type of dwarf cichlids.

Thanks in advance

 

[Mikaila31]

1) sometimes, it depends on if it is planted or not
2) You don't clean it like you would gravel. Since sand is so compact waste won't get under it. You use a gravel vac and gently suck the waste off the surface of the sand. With sand you also have to stir it so it doesn't get too compacted, which can cause problems.
3) First if you are thinking of plants, you will want to check the lighting on your tank since most tanks don't have the correct type or amount of light to support plants. Plants can grow in only sand, especially if it is a sand substrate that is made for plants like flourite sand. I'm planing on doing a densely planted tank using only Black Flourite Sand. Most types of sand hold very little nutrients so some people will put a layer under the sand. This layer can be anything from potting soil to small gravel. When you layer with sand, you want to be careful not to disturb it too much since it can create a mixing between the two layers.


For fish I suggest German Blue Rams and rummy nosed tetras( I think they come from the amazon)

 

[stormy78]

Thanks for the feedback. So with your planned tank will the plants get most of their nutrients from the waste produced by the fish or are you using any additives?

 

[Mikaila31]

The tank I was talking about is going to be hi-tech and I will be doing the IE method of fertilizing on that tank. It will be the first time I've tried it. On my other tanks I use liquid fertilizers. IMO the use of fertilizers depends on how densely planted your tank is and weather it has a plant substrate, it also depends on the type of plants you are growing. Some like crypts. are heavy root feeders and get most of their nutrients from the substrate, others like h. polysperma get most of their nutrients from the water. Also with planted tanks the substrate isn't normally cleaned at all, even if it is gravel.

 

[stormy78]

Thanks that been really helpful. I guess I need to speak to my LFS and see what plants they recommend.

 

[Mikaila31]

LFS, usually tend to give out bad info and, at least in the US, they tend to sell non aquatic plants for aquariums. Below are some links for you, you will want to find out how much light you have on your tank since that is going to be the most important thing when picking out plants.

Lighting
common plants

 

[stormy78]

LFS, usually tend to give out bad info and, at least in the US, they tend to sell non aquatic plants for aquariums. Below are some links for you, you will want to find out how much light you have on your tank since that is going to be the most important thing when picking out plants.

Lighting
common plants

Thanks for the help Mikaila31

 

[jaycat]

hi ,
I have an amazon themed tank. I keep rummy nose, black phantoms, cardinals with cories and couple of ottos to keep tank clean.
I bought zosterfolia and amazon sword, and mini amazon sword as plants. My lfs didn't have 2, so I bought them by mail with no probs.
Good luck with your tank

 

[stormy78]

hi ,
I have an amazon themed tank. I keep rummy nose, black phantoms, cardinals with cories and couple of ottos to keep tank clean.
I bought zosterfolia and amazon sword, and mini amazon sword as plants. My lfs didn't have 2, so I bought them by mail with no probs.
Good luck with your tank

Thanks! Can you please tell me what you are using for your substrate? I really cant decide between sand and gravel?!?

 

[jaycat]

hi,
I used gravel, with some earth substrate underneath, but I'm just about to change to sand. I think it will look alot better.

Just my choice, I've been told it will take a few hours to change it all over, so I hope it's worth it!!

 

[stormy78]

I think I will go with sand and soil underneath. Its going to cost more but I think it will look far better

 

[jaycat]

hope it goes well for you

 

[stormy78]

I will let you know lol