L-catfish species in aquarium without sand?

[Magnus Nodland]

Tomorrow I will bring some new L-catfish species. These I want to have in a tank of 200 liters. Previously I had Corydoras in the tank, but will now be converted to aquarium for the L-catfish species. When I had Corydoras in the tank, I had a problem. The sand would not be evenly over the bottom. Much of the sand moved to the end where the pumps stood, and at the other end of the tub there was nothing sand. That was because a lot of circulation.

Now that it shall be aquarium for L-catfish I will have more circulation in the tank. So then I expect that I will have great difficulty keeping the sand in place.

Have seen the pictures that there are many who keep L-catfish species in tanks without sand. Anybody have experience? Something so doing I should keep those without sand?

[MatsP]

I prefer to have some sort of substrate in the tank - but if you keep the bottom very clean (wiping it at least every week), then they can be kept without substrate. I suspect you can find some coarser sand that will not "fly about" so much.

--
Mats

[matthewfaulkner]

I've kept many different plecs (Baryancistrus, Chaetostoma, Cochliodon, Hemiancistrus, Panaque, Pseudacanthicus, Pterygoplichthys) with no sand or gravel. It's just far easier to keep clean with messy Panaque. I've never wiped the the base, I haven't found the need for it.

[Suckermouth]

I have bottomless tanks for my Hypancistrus. I'm not too experienced but my L333 and L260 have reproduced.

[Birger]

I have bottomless tanks for my Hypancistrus

How do you keep the water in??

[MatsP]

I have bottomless tanks for my Hypancistrus

How do you keep the water in??

It's just VERY deep! ;)

--
Mats

[Suckermouth]

I have bottomless tanks for my Hypancistrus

How do you keep the water in??

Well you see, I just flood my entire room, the tanks are just for show.

[joefish72b]

My suggestion would be to keep your water outlets higher in the tank or simply reduce the flow. In my tank (no sand) the pick up is near bottom and the outlet is at the top so that most of the current is high and at the bottom a softer flow. I keep several species of cats and pleco and I've had no issues. My substrate is Pea sized rock and the pleco's seem to love it because they can grab a food wafer and wedge it in the substrate to feed and keep others from stealing a bite.

[ceh]

5 from 6 of my aquaria is with out substat .. l 333 and l201 have no problem with ,, ancitrus l 144 also ..

[plecomanpat]

I'm waiting for the topless version

[dw1305]

Hi all,
I like a sand substrate for reasons of water quality and tank stability, I also like plants for the same reason. You can still have sand in tanks with high flow, the "sand in the filter" problem is easily rectified by having a coarse pre-filter sponge on the intake, and the flow problem by using a mix of sand and and fine gravel. As the flow distributes the sand around the tank the coarser grains will be left in areas of high flow, and the finer grains in areas of lower flow. Areas of very high flow will have a bare bottom, and you can put larger rounded pebbles or cobbles there. In fact in the same way that a river would sort sediments.

Even in high flow tanks you should be able to move the decor around to give a flat spot where suspended fine sediment, faeces etc will accumulate. Put a piece of flat slate there, and then you can syphon out all the debris.

cheers Darrel

[Magnus Nodland]

Thank you all!

I have bought some coarser sand, the sand do not fly around i my tank. It looks like my new Peckoltia Compta feel good.