Importance of Substrates

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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 6:59 pm Post subject: Importance of Substrates

I have green terrors , Red terrors and some Malwais. Total of 12 fishes in a 40 Inch tank
I was just wondering to maintain them in a substrate free aquarium.
Is this a good idea ?
Can you please suggest the best substrate

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 8:19 pm Post subject: Re: Importance of Substrates

When u say "no substrate", are u not planning to put any rocks as well ? RockS would become more of a necessity than anything else.
From my experience cichlids loves to dig. I currently have gravel substrate which is easier to clean, but I might switch to white sand which would be pain to clean but probably worth it .

Kiran

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 9:33 pm Post subject: Re: Importance of Substrates

Oh ok, I will have rocks and hiding places. But will not have any sand or stones at the bottom. I shud have been more clear.
I have some big ones...who just dont do anything with the substrate , I used to have gravel(nvr touched them), moved to medium sized stones, while I was cleaning last week, removed all stones and now have it as a bare bottom.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:01 pm Post subject: Re: Importance of Substrates

the problem would be if the big stones fallling and breaking up the glass..if u dont want that to happen, put in a thick substrate.

also substrate will be the place for beneficial bacteria to grown on. For more info, google beneficial bacteria in aquariums.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2012 11:39 pm Post subject: Re: Importance of Substrates

1+ Nick

But if you can arrange the stones well and pack it properly so that they dont fall down, then no issues. But I would suggest you a very thin layer of sand gravel. Or you will see the reflection of the stones and it would not look good.

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 12:41 am Post subject: Re: Importance of Substrates

first the terrors and malawis are not compatible.
malawi Mbuna's want good calcium rich gravel/sand they do dig but not as Amiricans.
most of the malawi fishes are herby and terrors are carnivorous.
BB tank is good if you want to do heavy feeding and heavy water changes, also heavy WC because there is lesser filter midea, remember some gravels are good filter beds. bacteria colonisation would be more than your canister filter media.
further, for me those CA/SA cichlids are more like lovely pets rather than member of my living room display tank as they keep disturbing the decorum. I would have them some where in fish room bare bottom tank and feed them heavily and make them fat unlike me:grin:

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2012 12:36 pm Post subject: Re: Importance of Substrates

Thanks guys Smile