Substrate for dwarf cichlid breeding tank

[Cockatoofreak]

It depends on what the dark sand is made from. Natural black sand, composed of grains of basalt, are fine. Black sand composed of crushed coal slag is glass with sharp edges and can contain toxic residual chemicals; not fine. Also note that dark sand tends to make apistos show duller colors than neutral color sands.

Thanks for that. Can you suggest the proper one I can buy in smaller quantities in Northern California? I only have a few 20 G tanks and can't handle 50 pounds!

 

[anewbie]

You keep saying you can't handle 50 lb bag of hth pool filter sand (which is 50 lb) only cost like $15 (exact price depends on region). Just use what you need and put the rest in a closet or dispose of it.

I mean would you rather pay $30 for a 20 lb bag of caribsea [whatever] or $15 for a 50lb bag ? If you rather pay more for less i'd recommend crystal river caribsea or torpedo beach. (again exact price depends on region):

crystal river is 0.5mm to 1.0mm and torpedo beach 0.5 to 2.0mm

They have a sunset gold which is 0.25 to 1.0mmm but i've not used it so no comments.

I have used moonlight sand which is 0.25 to 0.75mm but every tank i've tried with it develop serious issues and have to be torn down (something about how it compacts forms pockets).

hth pool filter sand is rated at between 0.45 and 0.55mm and i've not had issues with it the past 2+ years.

 

[Cockatoofreak]

You keep saying you can't handle 50 lb bag of hth pool filter sand (which is 50 lb) only cost like $15 (exact price depends on region). Just use what you need and put the rest in a closet or dispose of it.

I mean would you rather pay $30 for a 20 lb bag of caribsea [whatever] or $15 for a 50lb bag ? If you rather pay more for less i'd recommend crystal river caribsea or torpedo beach. (again exact price depends on region):

crystal river is 0.5mm to 1.0mm and torpedo beach 0.5 to 2.0mm

They have a sunset gold which is 0.25 to 1.0mmm but i've not used it so no comments.

I have used moonlight sand which is 0.25 to 0.75mm but every tank i've tried with it develop serious issues and have to be torn down (something about how it compacts forms pockets).

hth pool filter sand is rated at between 0.45 and 0.55mm and i've not had issues with it the past 2+ years.

I don't know if you are referring to me because I haven't "kept saying" that I can't handle 50 lbs...I said it once.

If you knew what it was like to have COPD and connect to an oxygen tank to do anything strenuous, you might have said differently.

That said, I will take your advice and get a friend of mine to pick it up for me and dispose of what I don't need...thanks for giving me the idea.

 

[MacZ]

I don't know if you are referring to me because I haven't "kept saying" that I can't handle 50 lbs...I said it once.

This is a classic example of what happens when you take over a thread. People don't look at user names, they just see a default avatar and don't question whether the person taking over the thread and the original poster are the same.

I wouldn't take it personal. And before you say anything: I'm also physically impaired, I don't want to de-validate your condition. I'm just about how people perceive things in forums. He couldn't know, cut him some slack.

 

[Cockatoofreak]

This is a classic example of what happens when you take over a thread. People don't look at user names, they just see a default avatar and don't question whether the person taking over the thread and the original poster are the same.

I wouldn't take it personal. And before you say anything: I'm also physically impaired, I don't want to de-validate your condition. I'm just about how people perceive things in forums. He couldn't know, cut him some slack.

Wow, what a response!!! I am new here and didn't know I was taking over a thread.

I did cut him some slack and thanked him for helping me come to the conclusion of ordering the 50lbs, which I just did and had it delivered.

I do believe cutting slack goes both ways but will try to be more careful, now that I know how sensitive people are in this Forum.

 

[MacZ]

All good on my part.

I do believe cutting slack goes both ways but will try to be more careful, now that I know how sensitive people are in this Forum.

Before we get into another missunderstanding: I'm not offended in any way. I just wanted to clear it up, because I noticed the original misunderstanding. I don't think the usual suspects here on the forum are very sensitive, we had some run-ins with people that took everything personal and went ballistic immediately. Glad you didn't take it the wrong way.

 

[Cockatoofreak]

All good on my part.

Before we get into another missunderstanding: I'm not offended in any way. I just wanted to clear it up, because I noticed the original misunderstanding. I don't think the usual suspects here on the forum are very sensitive, we had some run-ins with people that took everything personal and went ballistic immediately. Glad you didn't take it the wrong way.

So, let's get on with how to enjoy and share the fun of keeping Apisto's!

 

[MacZ]

So, let's get on with how to enjoy and share the fun of keeping Apisto's!

Agreed!