corys and substrate

[Lisa]

Hello,

My newly/barely cycled 50-gallon bowfront has 2 dwarf Flame gouramis in
it. Time for some more fish! Here are some photos of my tank:

I would like to add either 4 Rainbowfish or 6 Corys next (not both
groups at once, though). Which would be the better choice for my next
addition? (BTW, I plan on a maintenance schedule of gravel vacuuming
and water changes of 20% weekly, which I believe is the standard
recommended amount, yes?)

Other question: I have round, smooth "Wonderock" gravel in neutral,
varied browns, beiges, blacks, etc. The stones are smooth and fairly
large - maybe 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch on average. Not the typical tiny
gravel. Is this substrate OK for the corys? I have read that they
prefer fine river sand. I don't want to hurt them! But the gravel is
definitely smooth and rounded, not rough . . . It's just larger
pieces.

Oh, and my water parameters are holding steady at 0-0-0. My pH is 7.2
and the water is soft.

Thanks for any advice!

- Lisa

[humBill]

I was recently told to introduce the mildest temperament fish first. I
think that would be the cories.
Bill

"Lisa" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Hello,
>
> My newly/barely cycled 50-gallon bowfront has 2 dwarf Flame gouramis in
> it. Time for some more fish! Here are some photos of my tank:
>
> I would like to add either 4 Rainbowfish or 6 Corys next (not both
> groups at once, though). Which would be the better choice for my next
> addition? (BTW, I plan on a maintenance schedule of gravel vacuuming
> and water changes of 20% weekly, which I believe is the standard
> recommended amount, yes?)
>
> Other question: I have round, smooth "Wonderock" gravel in neutral,
> varied browns, beiges, blacks, etc. The stones are smooth and fairly
> large - maybe 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch on average. Not the typical tiny
> gravel. Is this substrate OK for the corys? I have read that they
> prefer fine river sand. I don't want to hurt them! But the gravel is
> definitely smooth and rounded, not rough . . . It's just larger
> pieces.
>
> Oh, and my water parameters are holding steady at 0-0-0. My pH is 7.2
> and the water is soft.
>
> Thanks for any advice!
>
> - Lisa
>

[Tom Randy]

On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 13:28:54 -0800, Lisa wrote:


>
> Other question: I have round, smooth "Wonderock" gravel in neutral,
> varied browns, beiges, blacks, etc. The stones are smooth and fairly
> large - maybe 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch on average. Not the typical tiny
> gravel. Is this substrate OK for the corys?


It'll be fine. I have 4 albinos and one bronze and they have NO problem
with gravel.


I have read that they
> prefer fine river sand. I don't want to hurt them! But the gravel is
> definitely smooth and rounded, not rough . . . It's just larger
> pieces.

Go for it, they'll be just fine with it.


> Oh, and my water parameters are holding steady at 0-0-0. My pH is 7.2
> and the water is soft.
>
> Thanks for any advice!
>
> - Lisa


Have fun!

Tom
who now is the proud papa of baby platys!

[Margolis]

Do not use gravel that big. All it is going to do is provide areas for
waste to get trapped and pollute the tank. Plus the poor little cory's that
scavenge around the bottom of the tank looking for food will not be able to
get it. Use small gravel around 2mm in size or smaller, or even sand. The
cory's will apreciate it.

btw, don't add any cory's until the tank IS cycled. Some of them can be
quite sensitive to water conditions.

--

Margolis
http://web.archive.org/web/20030215212142/http://www.agqx.org/faqs/AGQ2FAQ.htm
http://www.unrealtower.org/faq