bring the river home!

[Defeatist]

so, i just picked up a 130g tank the other day and i went to the river today walking around the sand bar to see if i could see ne fish. just something relaxing for me and the wife to do. then it hit me. instead of spending all this money on chemicals and this and that. why not bring some sand and water from the river to use in the tank since im thinking about putting some native fish in it ne ways. i know its alot of work in a way but its free. and free is good .

so - would this work? or would it be a complete disaster and waste of time.

 

[kevinfleming21]

well, it depends on how clean the river is. Most people buy sand so that they can create a "controlled" environment. You do take a mild risk in using sand from the river.

 

[Defeatist]

yeah i probably need to just save up and buy sand and stuff incase i decide against doing natives. if i can find some ciclids thats i like then ill probably do those. i wanted a strait predatory tank but i will just have to wait. the fish i want for a predatory tank are to high and my financial situation doesn't allow for 150$ fish.

the river is clean, the sand isn't real pretty stuff by no means but the water isn't all nasty. i wouldn't drink it strait from the river, but thats just me.

 

[kevinfleming21]

You should just go to your local Pool service place and pick up some PFS or pool filter sand. very very cheap and looks good. a 50 pound bag runs about $12 and two should do ya on that tank size

 

[kevinfleming21]

also there are a lot of predatory fish for a heck of a lot less that that much as far as cost. what are your descriptions on what you would kinda like and I could throw you some suggestions.

 

[bassinmike85]

from past exp i brought home stuff from the river and my fish ended up getting anchor worms..

if you bring stuff home from the river i'd soak them in bioling hot water..just my input

 

[scriving]

ya just but pool filter sand

 

[honda237]

i would do play sand, or pool filter sand. I've had good luck with both

 

[Defeatist]

aight ill do the pool filter sand. i hope they have black cause if ima buy sand i would prefer to get black. my tank is scuffed up so im tryin to keep it as dark as possible. still not sure if ima try to get the scuffs out of just say to hell with it and enjoy the fish. seems like alot of work and its not a "show tank". 170$ for tank, stand, 2 lights, & 2 big hob filters - so cant complain. altho i do think that the hob filters may be pieces of junk. probably need to just build a sump and go buy a pump.

as far as predatory fish. i was wanting a payara, i think thats how its spelled, the vampire fish. but there way to high but those bottom fangs are bad ass! also looked into a couple species of piranha but the only ones i can afford r red belly and im not a big fan of them. and the other species i looked @ were expensive + didn't play well with others . tiger fish are also sick but again crazy high.
mainly i wanted something with insane dental hardware then u an talk to ur buddies and be like "my fish can kick ur fishes ass, then eat it!!!"

i dunno. alot of fish out there. oscars r pretty cool but have no teeth - still have attitude and a pretty cool personality tho. im very open to suggestions if u or ne one else has ne.

 

[Dark Jester]

If you find a source of black PFS, please share. Only black sand I've found locally is the tahitian moon stuff at the LFS, that's around $1 per pound.