Opinion on Gravel

[williamwong411]

I need an opinion on my gravel. Do you think it is too sharp for cories? I have 10 pounds of gravel for a 5.5 gal tank.

 

[williamwong411]

I got this stuff from Petsmart, it was labeled as sand

 

[Mebbid]

It will be just fine for corys.

 

[jetajockey]

Looks nice to me.

 

[Justind1007]

Looks good!!

 

[Fishfanboy]

IMO 5.5 gallons is to small for cories

 

[Mebbid]

IMO 5.5 gallons is to small for cories

I didn't catch that myself, I agree. I would say a 10g minimum for corys.

 

[williamwong411]

What about dwarf cories with a Betta?

 

[Mebbid]

What about dwarf cories with a Betta?

Same situation. Really, the only livestock that should be kept in a 5.5g is a betta and various types of shrimp.

 

[Justind1007]

What about dwarf cories with a Betta?

It depends on the Betta's personality though...the dwarf cories might be the Betta's next meal

 

[williamwong411]

I have had bettas with peppered cories

 

[Mebbid]

It depends on the Betta's personality though...the dwarf cories might be the Betta's next meal

This is true, but it's very very very rare for a betta to go after corys.

 

[williamwong411]

So bad idea for Betta to go with cories in a 5.5? I really want cories, I probably won't take shrimp or anything

 

[williamwong411]

this is the tank, it'll be replaced with the gravel shown at the top

 

[williamwong411]

It is running two filters and heaters.

 

[Mebbid]

So bad idea for Betta to go with cories in a 5.5? I really want cories, I probably won't take shrimp or anything

It's a bad idea for corys of any type to go in a tank that small.

 

[Justind1007]

Should I get sand in my freshwater aquarium or keep with gravel

 

[Fresh2o]

One of the positives about sand is that the small grain size does not allow debris for the most part settle in. This may result in staying on the surface and hopefully get picked up by the filter. Waste and debris are visible which makes it easy to remove during a water change. It can also make it an eyesore.
I think of gravel as a carpet. It can trap and hide a lot of dirt. But that is what gravel vacuums are for.

 

[Justind1007]

One of the positives about sand is that the small grain size does not allow debris for the most part settle in. This may result in staying on the surface and hopefully get picked up by the filter. Waste and debris are visible which makes it easy to remove during a water change. It can also make it an eyesore.
I think of gravel as a carpet. It can trap and hide a lot of dirt. But that is what gravel vacuums are for.

So would you recommend sand?

 

[Mebbid]

One of the positives about sand is that the small grain size does not allow debris for the most part settle in. This may result in staying on the surface and hopefully get picked up by the filter. Waste and debris are visible which makes it easy to remove during a water change. It can also make it an eyesore.
I think of gravel as a carpet. It can trap and hide a lot of dirt. But that is what gravel vacuums are for.

I like your analogy so I am going to continue along with it

With sand if your filter puts out enough flow (10x tank volume hourly is what I shoot for) the filter will act like a roomba and keep your substrate cleaned for you