Hi all.
I am now having regrets about the gravel I am using in my aquarium. It has been set up for around 5 weeks now, fully cycled with 2 rams and 10 neons. I am thinking of getting some cories and understand that they prefer sand. I am also thinking that sand might be easier on the rams as they do like a dig around and it may make their sinking granules more easy to spot. I am thinking of changing to a black sand to help bring out the colour of these fish as well.
Now I have never used sand, only gravel, and while I understand that sand needs to be cleaned differently (I am a little clumsy so would need to practice this!) I am also worried about any possible effect on my beneficial bacteria levels if I remove the established gravel. I have seen conflicting thoughts on where this bacteria lives, some say mostly in the gravel and some mostly in the filter but would changing to sand effect this? I don't want to go through anothwer cycle. Also my filter sits very low in my aquarium and while it does not touch the gravel I don't want it to get gundged up with sand and break down.
So any thoughts on chaning to sand in week 5 of a new tank? Any possible problems with water chemistry and bacteria and any advice regarding filters?
Thanks in advance.
I am now having regrets about the gravel I am using in my aquarium. It has been set up for around 5 weeks now, fully cycled with 2 rams and 10 neons. I am thinking of getting some cories and understand that they prefer sand. I am also thinking that sand might be easier on the rams as they do like a dig around and it may make their sinking granules more easy to spot. I am thinking of changing to a black sand to help bring out the colour of these fish as well.
Now I have never used sand, only gravel, and while I understand that sand needs to be cleaned differently (I am a little clumsy so would need to practice this!) I am also worried about any possible effect on my beneficial bacteria levels if I remove the established gravel. I have seen conflicting thoughts on where this bacteria lives, some say mostly in the gravel and some mostly in the filter but would changing to sand effect this? I don't want to go through anothwer cycle. Also my filter sits very low in my aquarium and while it does not touch the gravel I don't want it to get gundged up with sand and break down.
So any thoughts on chaning to sand in week 5 of a new tank? Any possible problems with water chemistry and bacteria and any advice regarding filters?
Thanks in advance.