Pool Filter Sand

DMD123 wrote:

CMooreCichlids wrote:So far I've only seen one instance where a Wendtii Red was being nibbled on, and the Java Ferns seem to be left alone.

Pretty soon I'll be thinning the number of silver dollars in the tank, and the plants should have more of a chance to thrive, but right now the plants are low to the substrate and keeping the silver dollars well fed will divert their attention from the plants, in theory anyways.

I have wanted to try my hand at real plants one day but I dont think they would have a chance. Every plastic plant I own has nibble marks on them.

CMooreCichlids wrote:I have had large red hooks in a tank populated with amazon swords and didn't have any problems with them eating the plants, however they were constantly running for their life because of the lenticulata pikes.

CMooreCichlids wrote:

bronzefighter wrote:

Missgrumpygills wrote:

iandraco wrote:i usually do about an inch deep sand bed to avoid toxic gas pockets building up. 

Whatt? I'm new to sand, does that happen?

If your sand bed is too deep you run risk of anaerobic pockets forming. These are colonies of bacteria that produce things like methane gas. If a bubble of this stuff gets large enough to erupt it can poison/suffocate your fish, plus it smells terrible. The best way to combat this is to ensure your sand gets mixed enough, either manually using a stick or something, or through things like Malaysian Trumpet Snails.

There's currently 4 geophagus Tapajos in the tank that'll help mix the sand up a bit, however I plan on adding a bit of sand stirring to my weekly maintenance to avoid any pockets

DMD123 wrote:

CMooreCichlids wrote:I have had large red hooks in a tank populated with amazon swords and didn't have any problems with them eating the plants, however they were constantly running for their life because of the lenticulata pikes.

LOL - mine have it too easy with a nice peaceful Pearsei. Although the little Red Isletas is giving them a little fun chase.

bronzefighter wrote:

CMooreCichlids wrote:

bronzefighter wrote:

Missgrumpygills wrote:

iandraco wrote:i usually do about an inch deep sand bed to avoid toxic gas pockets building up. 

Whatt? I'm new to sand, does that happen?

If your sand bed is too deep you run risk of anaerobic pockets forming. These are colonies of bacteria that produce things like methane gas. If a bubble of this stuff gets large enough to erupt it can poison/suffocate your fish, plus it smells terrible. The best way to combat this is to ensure your sand gets mixed enough, either manually using a stick or something, or through things like Malaysian Trumpet Snails.

There's currently 4 geophagus Tapajos in the tank that'll help mix the sand up a bit, however I plan on adding a bit of sand stirring to my weekly maintenance to avoid any pockets

Gotcha, Geo's are pretty good at disturbing the sand. I found that stirring up the sand with a stream of water when refilling during water changes is sufficient for me.