What's Good In A Sand Substrate Tank?

[teddyman5]

Just changed a tank over to sand.Got 2 Geophagus, 2 banjo's and a few corys.Anything else you can think of that like sand and keep it moving.Tank is 48 x 18 x 15.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

dojo loaches!!! great fish, and they tend to bury themselves up to the head every once in a while.......

 

[Breeze7050]

I agree with loaches, but we need to know the tank size to give you some more ideas! Thanks!

 

[Dave Spencer]

Malaysian Trumpet Snails will do a good job of aerating it for you and prevent it from compacting.

 

[teddyman5]

Malaysian Trumpet Snails will do a good job of aerating it for you and prevent it from compacting.

Not to keen on the idea of snails.How do you stop them breeding and being innundated? Do they stay on the substrate or just go everywhere? I don't think I 've ever
seen one.

 

[Scott MacAdam]

they will go everywhere, but only keep one to end the reproduction problem

 

[eschaton]

Malayan Trumpets do breed like crazy, but they don't eat plants, cut down on waste (as they act as detrivores), and effectively act as earthworms for your tank if it's planted. They probably do add to the bioload somewhat, but it's worth it IMO. You don't see a good deal of them as well, since they hang out under the sand during the day.

Pretty much the only negative is they can swamp a tank, but that should only happen if you over-feed your tank.

 

[KathyM]

they will go everywhere, but only keep one to end the reproduction problem

Malaysian Trumpet Snails use parthenogenesis to reproduce, so keeping one won't prevent her reproducing. However, MTS aren't a pest, but a helper in the planted tank, and are perfect for sand tanks too as they turn the substrate and don't eat plants. I've got a few in my tanks and have never become over-run.