Looking for the benefit of your experiences!!!
I have a 60L tank currently cycling. the intention is to eventually have 3 platys and maybe 4-5 small corys, plus a few cherry shrimp and maybe some danios/tetras if the filters/bacteria can handle it (aqadviser tool seems to think so).
It was a present mainly for the kids (though as usual I kinda took over), so naturally they picked some lovely ornaments and shiny painted substrate. Having chewed on this for a while I have a few concerns.....
1. tap water pH is around 7.6-7.8 but tank pH more like 8.2-8.4. On closer inspection, one of the bags of substrate was not sand but what looks like crushed shells, which probably explains it. I know platys are ok at this sort of pH, but ideally I'd want a pH neutral substrate, as most of the potential tank mates seem to prefer it under 8.0.
2. I read that corys have sensitive mouths - the shell substrate is pretty sharp so might be better to change it
3. I'd like to have a few easy low light live plants in there eg vallis, java fern+moss, amazon sword, and this substrate is probably not ideal (and not thick enough).
So was thinking of replacing it with a layer of tropica plant substrate, then a layer of akadama. Would like to top it off with a finer black sand or gravel for colour but can't help thinking that sand would simply sink through the akadama. Alternative is 3mm size black gravel.
My questions are:
a) will akadama be ok for corys and would a 3mm gravel be ok for them?
b) can anyone recommend a relatively low cost alternative / comment on the above?
Many thanks
I have a 60L tank currently cycling. the intention is to eventually have 3 platys and maybe 4-5 small corys, plus a few cherry shrimp and maybe some danios/tetras if the filters/bacteria can handle it (aqadviser tool seems to think so).
It was a present mainly for the kids (though as usual I kinda took over), so naturally they picked some lovely ornaments and shiny painted substrate. Having chewed on this for a while I have a few concerns.....
1. tap water pH is around 7.6-7.8 but tank pH more like 8.2-8.4. On closer inspection, one of the bags of substrate was not sand but what looks like crushed shells, which probably explains it. I know platys are ok at this sort of pH, but ideally I'd want a pH neutral substrate, as most of the potential tank mates seem to prefer it under 8.0.
2. I read that corys have sensitive mouths - the shell substrate is pretty sharp so might be better to change it
3. I'd like to have a few easy low light live plants in there eg vallis, java fern+moss, amazon sword, and this substrate is probably not ideal (and not thick enough).
So was thinking of replacing it with a layer of tropica plant substrate, then a layer of akadama. Would like to top it off with a finer black sand or gravel for colour but can't help thinking that sand would simply sink through the akadama. Alternative is 3mm size black gravel.
My questions are:
a) will akadama be ok for corys and would a 3mm gravel be ok for them?
b) can anyone recommend a relatively low cost alternative / comment on the above?
Many thanks
