Substrate

[hankbuck]

I was advised that I could use sand as a primary layer and then gravel on top to save cash on gravel. I have had good luck with my cories reproducing to the extent that I had to go to a 55 gallon tank. I have heard cories like sand but it can look dirty if not vacuumed daily, which I want to avoid. I also heard that sand if not agitated a bit over time can have bad results. I want to save money and all but not at the expense of the fish or being chained to a vacuum and dont want to damage my filter. Any Ideas?
hankbuck

 

[ryan136]

Dont no to much on cories but why dont u use black sand i no i few ppl that hav done that for there cories. Just dont do a dead deep sand bed just bout 1.5 or 2ins b ok and then wont c the poo cus the sand is black. the cories will love it cus they can dig round It.just make sure 1s a week u move the sand round so u dont get gas buildin up under it. And itb all ok

 

[Akasha72]

try getting some trumpet snails to agitate the sand. They're great little cleaners and don't breed as much as pest snails

 

[hankbuck]

love the responses. Thanks much. From the school of don't fix what is not broken I think I will go with rounded gravel and enter the sand in the next tank set up.
Thanks again
Hankbuck