Geo's in a barebottom tank?

[lukenewton]

Hey guys. Ive just set up a 7x3x2 tank. Current stocking plans are stingrays, an Asian arrowana and some geophagus. Im looking at a group of 6 red head tapajos. Aswell as a group of 6 surinamensis. I want to keep the tank barebottom for the rays as it is easier to keep clean and keep water quality perfect. Will this affect the geo's much? Stop them colouring up aswell? Any other issues? Any help welcome.
Thanks
Luke

 

[tlindsey]

Hey guys. Ive just set up a 7x3x2 tank. Current stocking plans are stingrays, an Asian arrowana and some geophagus. Im looking at a group of 6 red head tapajos. Aswell as a group of 6 surinamensis. I want to keep the tank barebottom for the rays as it is easier to keep clean and keep water quality perfect. Will this affect the geo's much? Stop them colouring up aswell? Any other issues? Any help welcome.
Thanks
Luke

Geophagus species should have a sand substrate so they can do what they are naturally known for to sift through sand so I personally wouldn't add them to a bare bottom aquarium.

 

[PhishMon84]

Rays also like sand to dig/hide/play with.

 

[neutrino]

Agree with both posts above. To get anthropomorphic about it, keeping geos without sand would be like you renting an apartment in a city where no TV, no internet, and no cell phones or mobile devices are allowed, not in your apartment or anywhere in the city. You could live there, but you wouldn't be happy.

 

[J. H.]

Agree with both posts above. To get anthropomorphic about it, keeping geos without sand would be like you renting an apartment in a city where no TV, no internet, and no cell phones or mobile devices are allowed, not in your apartment or anywhere in the city. You could live there, but you wouldn't be happy.

I've seen nice looking geos in BB tanks, nut what's the point in geos if you can't watch them filter through the sand? The Geos may actually help keep your NO3 down by sifting the sand constantly, but I might be afraid that one might swallow a cast-off stingray barb. I'd be afraid of that even BB, but I've never kept geos or rays, so I don't know.