Tank upgrade

[mikeyboy123]

Oh, and the dimensions of the shaker 168 are 70 x 40 x 60. Is there a particular reason why you have decided on a tall tank? At a given tank volume, it is almost always better to sacrifice height for a bit more length if you can, unless of course you plan on keeping fish that require a taller tank. A shallower tank with a footprint of say 90 x 45 would give you so many more options for stocking than the shaker 168.

[fr499y]

Would be nice for a pair of angels though.

[Brianh]

What’s the advantage of sand over gravel?
I personally just like the look of gravel over sand.
Cheers

[Stephen]

Sand is better for some fish species such as Cichlids and Corydoras.
Gravel will erode the Corydoras sensitive barbels and prevent Cichlids and Corydoras from foraging properly.
Sand is also easier to clean as any debris sits on the surface and therefore can be sucked up easily with a syphon during water changes. Gravel requires you to get deep into the gravel to pick up any debris.
If going with live plants then a plant substrate topped with sand is easier for planting and easier for plants to set roots.

[Brianh]

Thanks Stephen.
Does sant sit on top of the substrate? In my head would sink to the bottom.

I noticed the earlier comment however and sounds like I may not need any additional substrate for the plants I’m planning on using.

I thought that the plants would likely come loose in just sand and that would be able to anchor better in gravel.

[Stephen]

Thanks Stephen.
Does sand sit on top of the substrate? In my head would sink to the bottom.

I noticed the earlier comment however and sounds like I may not need any additional substrate for the plants I’m planning on using.

I thought that the plants would likely come loose in just sand and that would be able to anchor better in gravel.

You put a layer of plant substrate down to about 1cm deep (I recommend Tropica Substrate).
This will be heavier than sand and will anchor (and feed) the roots of any plants.
You then put a layer of sand over the substrate at least 2cm deep. I probably have 2cm of sand at the front and probably 4cm at the rear.



The image above was taken 2 months ago, the Amazon swords have now reached the surface of the water.

[VikingMummy2015]

Hi from Angus/Aberdeenshire border!
I used to have substrate under sand (I did a dark sand mainly) and only some came through the sand. I then just went for sand only and the easy plants I have do absolutely fine.
You’ll notice a big change in your cherry barbs behaviour in a big tank! I had 8 originally in a Fluval Flex 57L and they were constantly on the go after each other. Moved up to the 240L Roma and much less aggression.

[black ghost]

Sand will sink below gravel, but plant substrates are soil-like, with no real gaps for the sand to fall through.

[John Linklater]

From Edinburgh as well. The advice I got from here was to look at South American fish as they suit our soft water. Hope that helps.

[Brianh]

Thanks all, looks like I will be changing to sand!

Hopefully get the tank in the next few weeks.