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Posted: **20 Aug 2006, 02:15**

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum... >_<

I have a Panda Cory in my 29 gallon tank with small gravel, and his barbels are pretty worn down. I just got him 2 new friends to school with. Although my old cory has been alive for over a year, I'm afraid that my new guys might not be as well off if their barbels wear down like his.

My question is about gravel. I know gravel is a bad choice for corys or any catfish, but I don't want to put sand in because I hear you can't clean it like you can gravel. Is there any way for me to clean sand? Could I dump a small layer of sand over my existing gravel to avoid having to move everyone around to remove gravel? I love the way I can siphon gravel, and I'd love to have sand if it was easy to clean. My fish are messy and the bottom can get pretty dirty.

Thank you!! <3

Posted: **20 Aug 2006, 02:33**

You can clean sand just fine, it is actually easier because the waste can't penetrate the surface. Instead of pushing your gravel vac into the sand like you would gravel, just wave it over the top to suck up the waste.

As far as switching over, I would suggest changing out the gravel a little bit at a time to minimize your loss of benefitial bacteria.

Also, you should put your location in your profile. With such an international forum, advice can vary by regional availability.

Posted: **20 Aug 2006, 20:14**

im in the middle of changing my gravel to sand!

just take out a 1/4 of the gravel and put sand in a 2 litre bottle and open the top just above the bottom of the glass and let the sand go.
do this every month to let the bacteria spread and wha la.

david

PlanetCatfish.com

Tank Question :)

Tank Question :)