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can sand substrate cause any problems to any fish?

what about bottom feeders?

Nah, sand shouldn't be a problem to fish unless it's really sharp or something like that.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Shinigami 2004-08-17 20:34][/span]

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

is sand better than gravel?

They both have their pros and cons, but IMO one isn't better than the other. Gravel is better for live plants (if i remember correctly), but some fish (IE african cichlids) have a sandy-bottomed natural habitat. When cleaning your aquarium, gravel can be vaccumed, while sand has to be stirred and the water siphoned no less than about an inch above the sand. Sand will cloud your water for sometimes days after you stir it. But to make up for it, sand (espcially sand specifically for aquariums) really brightens up your tank, and a lot of fish seem to love to root around in it.

Bottom feeders like Corydoras like a Sandy subtrate alot & it isn't harmfull to fish.

:88)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

You really aren't suppose to stir the sand. All that is needed is a gentle racking throughout the entire sand bed. As long as you just rack the sand, there should need be any clouding of the water.

Sand does need more care than gravel IME. Not only must it be rinsed really well (and then for a bit longer) before adding it to the tank, but it also must not be disturbed too much once it's in the tank since it's light enough to be sucked into the filter (thereby killing your impellor assembly).
As was mentioned, raking after a careful gravel vac is necessary to prevent anerobic bacteria from forming. These patches can kill fish if allowed to develop. Some people seem to have great luck with plants in sand, I haven't had all that much luck with it.

However, my cory's absolutly adore the sand, IMO it's worth it if you have bottom feeders.
HTH a bit .

^_^


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