Greetings! I'm new to this forum and have tried to find answers to my exact questions in the threads, so apologies if these questions have been posted already. I currently use gravel in my 80 gallon, freshwater aquarium that hosts several large parrot cichlids, and a 13" pleco. I have a Fluval 405 canister filtration system. I would like to switch to sand as it looks nice, I hear that parrotfish like it, and it is a bit easier to clean. My questions are as follows:
1. Will my filtration system will have to do 'twice the work' it used to if I switch from my current gravel to sand? Will this filtration system be enough?
2. I know that sand can be expensive in a aquarium store, dependent on the type purchased. I've heard of a lot of different types of substrate that can be purchased elsewhere, including quickrete medium grit sand, Pool Filter sand, and 3m colorquartz (which has been discontinued but just might still be sitting around on a few shelves out there). Which sand would you recommend, and can anyone provide the name of the pool business that actually carries PF sand (without me having to order it?) Just don't want to make a mistake that might 'do in' my parrots.
I live in Calgary, Alberta. Thanks for the help.
1. Will my filtration system will have to do 'twice the work' it used to if I switch from my current gravel to sand? Will this filtration system be enough?
2. I know that sand can be expensive in a aquarium store, dependent on the type purchased. I've heard of a lot of different types of substrate that can be purchased elsewhere, including quickrete medium grit sand, Pool Filter sand, and 3m colorquartz (which has been discontinued but just might still be sitting around on a few shelves out there). Which sand would you recommend, and can anyone provide the name of the pool business that actually carries PF sand (without me having to order it?) Just don't want to make a mistake that might 'do in' my parrots.
I live in Calgary, Alberta. Thanks for the help.