couldi put sand in with every type of tropical fish

Probably not with every type of fish. Some fish are very sensitive and the sand can irritate their bellies and gills. I'm sure that there are some species that you could have with a sand substrate but you would have to do the research on it as I don't have a list sitting here with me. lol

*bump*

i am wondering the exact same thing, which tropical can have sand???

hmmm...Good question! I always thought that most tropicals were okay with Sand,except for maybe like Chiclids. If I'm not mistaken,I think that they may dig around in the substrate,etc...I also recall something about them liking to move rocks and such around???? Don't quote me on this though-my memory can be nil at times!!! Maybe Sandy or Raz can help us out with that part,huh?

pah!!! let the expert through

no, seriously, let me through

ok. as far as i know the ideal cichlid tank would have both. i think most of the tank would be gravel and i think there would be the odd spot that had sand. this would give the choice to the parents where to go as long as there were caves over it, then it would be the choice of the cichlid which it picked as some prefer gravel to sand and vice versa. but there are cichlids that need a large flat stone to lay eggs on as well.
as for other tropicals, i dont think most of them would mind one way or the other to be honest. i think it just comes down to preference.

RAZ and kev your go now!

Well that’s okay then, don’t think i want cichlids as its only a small tank, but should be okay for anything then??? Corys also???

Cheers.

Harry, sorry for hijacking your post

How big of a tank Loz?Corys like to be kept in groups..They're much happier with at least 3 or 4 of their own kind.

its about 10 gal i think

yeah, i have 3 corys in my main tropical tank, but i when/if i get this one going properly i would want a bottom feeder of sorts and wanted to be sure the sand wouldnt harm them at all.

Actually lots of people recommend sand for corys because it is less wear and tear on their barbles. Loaches love sand, and fish like shell dwellers (a small cichlid) pretty much need it. Some puffers bury themselves in sand and wait for prey to swim by, then jump out and catch it.

I can't really think of any tropical fish that wouldnt' like sand. Most people avoid sand substrates for several reasons... One, if it is too deep it compacts and you get anaerobic pockets.. when these pockets are broken open (by you cleaning or a fish digging) they release toxic bacteria into the water and can kill the fish. So it is suggested to put the sand no more than 1" deep, stir it ocassionally (not much, just move it around) and maybe have something in there that will move it around like MTS snails. Another reason is sand can really mess up your filter motor. If you stir it up too much while cleaning, or if a fish starts digging and tossing the sand into the water column and the filter sucks it in, that isn't good. So you have to be a little careful with that, a sponge over the filter intake is a good safety precaution. The last thing is that vaccuuming can be a little tough, but its easy to get used to. Just skim the surface to get the gunk, if you stick the vaccuum into the sand it will suck the sand up the tube.

Thanx Myaj, i set the tank up to cycle a few hours ago (dunno what i'll put in it yet, but also if my molly ever gives birth i will have somewhere for them too.)

think i have too much sand thou, about 2" deep, i do have a sponge filter.

Well, with a sponge filter you don't have to worry about any motor burning out from the sand .

2" is pretty deep, but if you are religious on stirring it up you should probably get away with it. If you do put the corys in there though, make sure you keep it vaccuumed, its not healthy for them to be down in all the gunk all the time, and it doesn't fall down into the sand like it would in gravel, it just lays on top.