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Thread: Need help on gravel for a new tank

  1. #1
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    Need help on gravel for a new tank

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    Hi,

    I have a new tank which have been cycling for 2weeks+.

    Here is the spec:

    - 2ft x 1ft x 1.5ft (80litres).
    - built in OHF
    - 1 air pump
    - 1 med DW
    - 2 artificial plants
    - 4 tiger barbs and 1 common pleco

    I'm thinking of adding gravel for decoration only.

    I like black quartz, but i'm not sure if its safe for the fishes since quartz looks like quite sharp and rough. And i want those gravel that is easy to syphon (not sucked easily like sand).

    Need advise please?

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    you can try lapis sand. they are all round and smooth
    CRS - CRazy about Shrimps
    - Alan Phang -

    You can't explain it simply, you don't understand it (well enough )..." - Albert Einstein

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    It should be fine.
    Nicholas

    Newbie en el cichlid enano

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Quote Originally Posted by eviltrain View Post
    you can try lapis sand. they are all round and smooth
    Thanks..

    Any idea if i use lapis sand, will my inlet suck the lapis sand as well?
    i want to try keeping the inlet open without any sponge attached to it so the fish waste can still be sucked.

    Thanks.

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Don't worry. As long as your inlet is not so close to the bottom of the tank, there shouldn't be any problem at all. But you need at least a guard around the inlet to prevent your fishes from getting stuck by the suction of the inlet ( its a grusome sight )
    CRS - CRazy about Shrimps
    - Alan Phang -

    You can't explain it simply, you don't understand it (well enough )..." - Albert Einstein

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Oh my inlet suction is not that strong. there is a built in some kind of plastic cover with holes plugged in to the pipe.

    i wouldn't worry about the fish, just imo if we still need to guard the gravel around the inlet, i might go for sand since it is more good-looking .

    any thoughts?
    Last edited by Wackytpt; 14th Mar 2010 at 12:49. Reason: remove immediate quote

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    To dry,

    If you feel that gravel/sand is troublesome, just consider a bare bottom tank. Since your live stock and decoration are already in place, just go with that. Makes siphoning and maintenance easy.
    Fish.. Simply Irresistable
    Back to Killies... slowly.

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Thanks mod.

    i think i'll go with the sand..
    because i'm intending to get a few loaches or corys..

    afterall, having substrate looks more natural..

    as for maintainance wise, after some research, i think i should be able to manage it.

    thanks again!

    BTW, any idea when can i start PM other people?
    Last edited by Wackytpt; 14th Mar 2010 at 12:50. Reason: sms lingo

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Quote Originally Posted by dry View Post
    Thanks..

    Any idea if i use lapis sand, will my inlet suck the lapis sand as well?
    i want to try keeping the inlet open without any sponge attached to it so the fish waste can still be sucked.

    Thanks.
    if you are worried about the asthetics of it, gravel will help to camouflough the poop, but if you are worried about the toxic from the poop, then a well cycled tank will do the job.

    as a guide, if you inlet can suck fish poop physically, it's probably too strong already.

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Just avoid those colored ones like painted orange, painted red kinds. The color will go into the water, although harmless, it still does not look pleasant. Tried that with my luohan once.

    Maybe you can browse this thread which is one of the recent outings. I took some picts on the sands and stone, some are meant for marine, just take it as reference:
    http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...=64286&page=13

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Quote Originally Posted by dry View Post
    i think i'll go with the sand..
    because i'm intending to get a few loaches or corys..

    afterall, having substrate looks more natural..
    Sand is fine, but remember, do not make it too deep, especially with fine sand. Once it compacts and traps uneaten food or poop, your corys or loaches will get sick if they come across these dead zones in the sand. So try and keep the depth of the sand low.

    Note, with fine sand, some care must be taken during siphoning when you are doing tank maintenance. Use a stick from time to time to move the sand around so that you can help in releasing trapped gases.

    I used fine sand with Corydoras, and they like it, but I keep the depth low so little risk of dead zones forming since they'll be rooting in the sand all day long.

    BTW, any idea when can i start PM other ppl?
    The rules state that you have to have a post count of 10 or more to qualify for PM privileges. You can see more in the Helpdesk section under the Rules of the forum.
    Fish.. Simply Irresistable
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  12. #12
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    Thanks all for the advise.

    I got sand for the substrate. It's a fine river sand.

    I like the look, but the fish waste very obvious now. And my filter can't suck the poop freely anymore. I used to set the filter as low as possible so it will pickup all the poop. Now can't so that anymore. Have to clean once in few days. Sigh....

    Oh btw, the depth of the sand is about 2-2.5cm. Is it too deep?
    Last edited by Wackytpt; 14th Mar 2010 at 12:51.

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Dry, you have a lot of questions which clouds decision making at times.

    Can I point you to this, just watch the video; I am not asking you to buy their product so just take note of the things that are being done or have to be done. You will find your mind much clearer after this.

    Tetra 6 parts video (Double Click to follow the link), make sure you stop the one at this thread.
    YouTube- how to set up aquarium part 1

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    Re: Need help on gravel for a new tank

    Quote Originally Posted by dry View Post
    Thanks all for the advise.

    I got sand for the substrate. It's a fine river sand.

    I like the look, but the fish waste very obvious now. And my filter can't suck the poop freely anymore. I used to set the filter as low as possible so it will pickup all the poop. Now can't so that anymore. Have to clean once in few days. Sigh....

    Oh btw, the depth of the sand is about 2-2.5cm. Is it too deep?
    Dry,

    Do take note as you are using the fine sand it can be suck into through the inlet of the filter.

    The depth you started should be fine. Actually cories just need a think layer of fine sand.
    Nicholas

    Newbie en el cichlid enano

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