Which One Is Better Between Sand & Small Gravel !!!

[RHS788]

I understood "sand" was better so I bought flint sand, which basically came from somewhere in the Midwest US. I had been raising Corys in larger "gravel" with no problem. When I went to the sand the barbels on the Cory's were toast. The sand basically looks like kids playground sand.

I switched to rounded, small gravel and have hence had no problem. I would like to use sand, and it befuddles me to see pictures of Cory in the Amazon (playing in sand), and then when I use it, things go downhill.

I have heard to use swimming pool filter sand as it is fine, does not have any ph impact, and is does not have sharp edges like the flint sand.

I would be interested in anyone's input from the Midwest USA and what they use for raising cory's that a) works without destroying the barbels and b) is cheap. I understand there could be bacterial reasons, but I don't think that was my problem as things are working OK now.

Again, any sound, sand advice is appreciated! And by the way, what is a DIY store? Is that the English version of a hardware store?

[MatsP]

DIY store in the UK is something like B&Q, Wickes or Homebase, which is chains of "big hardware stores", so the US equivalent is something like Lowes, Home-depot, etc. Obviously, for many products, Sears and Wal-mart may also work out as a source.

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Mats

[MChambers]

I understood "sand" was better so I bought flint sand, which basically came from somewhere in the Midwest US. I had been raising Corys in larger "gravel" with no problem. When I went to the sand the barbels on the Cory's were toast. The sand basically looks like kids playground sand.

I switched to rounded, small gravel and have hence had no problem. I would like to use sand, and it befuddles me to see pictures of Cory in the Amazon (playing in sand), and then when I use it, things go downhill.

I have heard to use swimming pool filter sand as it is fine, does not have any ph impact, and is does not have sharp edges like the flint sand.

I would be interested in anyone's input from the Midwest USA and what they use for raising cory's that a) works without destroying the barbels and b) is cheap. I understand there could be bacterial reasons, but I don't think that was my problem as things are working OK now.

Again, any sound, sand advice is appreciated! And by the way, what is a DIY store? Is that the English version of a hardware store?

I've had far better luck with Pandas and Trilineatus on small, very smooth (Estes brand) gravel than sand. There are other variables at work (the gravel is in a larger aquarium), so it is possible that the gravel versus sand distinction has nothing to do with it.

[sunfish]

I understood "sand" was better so I bought flint sand, which basically came from somewhere in the Midwest US. I had been raising Corys in larger "gravel" with no problem. When I went to the sand the barbels on the Cory's were toast. The sand basically looks like kids playground sand.

I have heard to use swimming pool filter sand as it is fine, does not have any ph impact, and is does not have sharp edges like the flint sand.

Again, any sound, sand advice is appreciated! And by the way, what is a DIY store? Is that the English version of a hardware store?

Flint sand is very sharp, that's why the barbels got shredded. Any sand that's (man-)made by crushing rocks won't work. That's why black sand often won't work with Corys. Pool filter sand should be OK, as this should be pure, natural quartz sand. It's very fine but also very bright. Another possibility is natural (river) sand, provided it's lime-free. If you happen to have a gravel pit nearby, go and ask for a bit of sand.

Yes, DIY is a hardware store. The stuff I use is "construction sand", which you would normally use for mixing concrete. I have no idea about sand from the Midwest USA. But hopefully someone in your local hardware store should be able to tell you whether the sand is man-made (don't buy) or natural.

[MatsP]

The sand sold in the UK for building purposes is NOT good for fish - it contains all manner of badness, including limestone pieces and pieces of flint, as well as being partly "crushed larger stones" - particularly the type called "sharp" sand. There is sand sold for specific use that is good for fish, such as "silver sand" (but it's very light in colour, so it makes the tank well lit - it can be mixed with a darker suitable material to make the right colour). I've found that the "paving sand" is also a good tank sand. But I'm not sure that applies ALWAYS, or just the ones I got - it was a bit coarser than the play-sand that I've also used at times.

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Mats