Ideal tank setup for Dats..

[Danno]

hi, im wondering whats the best substrate to use for dats??? sand, gravel..... roughly how many i can keep together in my tank 4x2x2??? - i know size is a factor, so lets say they are 4" in size.... and what about decor, do i need plenty of bogwood and rocks for hiding, do i leave the tank mostly bare or do i go say 50/50 - hinding places and open space for swimming???

cheers

 

[prskiller]

I've seen so many bare and substrate tanks that I don't think the dats care. When small they prefer hiding spots so yes a couple of driftwood here and there. You could probably do 4 dats in that tank but not for life. I'll be setting up a 210 soon and I'm doing very little sand, dropped in the center with a big piece of wood. I'm going for the simple but subtle approach. Good luck with your setup.

 

[JLSEF9]

bare bottom a dats natural habitat lol, jk..i like bare bottom tanks, but if you want substrate, id go with natural looking sand..like pool filter sand/play ground sand?

 

[Ade]

I have had tigers in BB, sand, gravel. Each type for at least 2 years each.
I did not notice a notable difference in behaviour. but if u have stingray in tank I would def use substrate.

Now, with hiding spaces, I don't like them as tigers will mostly hide all the time.
There is a way round it , just use small thin bits of decor , so even when hiding u can see
them. Or giant vallis is fantastic for tigers ... Until they uproot them!

If use sand, just put thinlayer 1/2 inch. 4x 2x2 can hold the 5 nr. 4 inch IT for about 1.5 to 2 years max. This Based on steady feeding and wc's. Not powerfeeding like crazy.

 

[Danno]

anyone else want to add anything.....?

 

[Laben]

BARE-BOTTOM!!!

 

[titanfish]

thin layer of sand
even if you dont put decor, if they want to hide they will still hide in the corners

imo best to have thin decor like Ade said so you can still see them and they have a place of retreat, that way youll see their natural behaviour and over time 'may' help towards stability IMO

good thin decor would be thin branching driftwood.

 

[Danno]

whats the deal with mixing dats?? providing they are all roughly the same size, i should be ok shouldnt i?? I'm not looking to mix, i'm just courious for chance that i end up with diff 1's when i eventually buy.