Just add some sand to what you already have in there. It will mix well if you get the right color and give them something to pick through. I'm thinking about doing that with my 125 and I only have one Geo in there at the moment. I wouldn't tear everything down and make a complete change.
Is sand an Absolute must with Geos?
- Thread starter The True Guapote
- Start date
The True Guapote;4971695; said:
If you switch to a 210 ues PFS as the substrate and you'll be fine. Then get the Geos.
I've had my geo for about 5 months now...with gravel. No problems at all, he seems perfectly "happy"
Sand....pool filter (coarse) sand...gravel...no substrate...kept and bred Geos on all of them...
I prefer to use a few handfuls of pfs in most of my tanks...
Matt
Matt
I prefer to use a few handfuls of pfs in most of my tanks...
Matt
Matt
I use pool filter sand with a very small amount of pebbles mixed in, and they love it.
I tried gravel at one time and they would get stones stuck in their mouth from trying to "sift" the gravel sometimes. They always came out, but only after swimming around for a bit with a big rock hanging from its mouth. I don't think it would be a problem if the gravel was the right size, though.
I tried gravel at one time and they would get stones stuck in their mouth from trying to "sift" the gravel sometimes. They always came out, but only after swimming around for a bit with a big rock hanging from its mouth. I don't think it would be a problem if the gravel was the right size, though.
Imo it is very important. No, they are not going to die if you don't give them sand, but anyone who's owned geo's with a sand substrate will tell you that they spend almost every minute of their lives sifting through it. It's second nature for them. Imo what's the point of even owning them, if your not even going to be able to enjoy the most interesting part about them?
Others have covered it. Yes they will survive on gravel/barebottom/whatever, but it should be the responsibility of all true hobbyists to look after their fish, and providing an optimal substrate for a fish that sifts sand to feed certainly fits that criteria. Providing an area of sand in the tank that they can sift, even if it's not even half of the footprint, will result in more natural feeding (as far as feeding pre-prepared food in a glass box goes) - surely that's in your interests for observation, which is why we keep fish afterall.
It seems nothing in your tank needs the gravel. It seems that the addition of these fish (regardless of current tankmates, tank size, suitability) would benefit greatly by the addition of sand.
I'll be blunt. It's two hours work; if that's too much hassle, don't bother with the Geophagus.
It seems nothing in your tank needs the gravel. It seems that the addition of these fish (regardless of current tankmates, tank size, suitability) would benefit greatly by the addition of sand.
The True Guapote;4971669; said:
I'll be blunt. It's two hours work; if that's too much hassle, don't bother with the Geophagus.
japes;4975330; said:
I agree with this. I have a few Geos living with discus in a bare bottom tank and only a little bit of sand, not nearly enough to cover the bottom, but they sift all day long.
Also, you don't have to take out the gravel if you don't want to. Just dump loads of sand in there and they can handle the mixture well. If you do want to take out the gravels, use a plastic dustpan. It's super easy
