Substrate and bichir question

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PredatorPiqued

PredatorPiqued

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Mar 22, 2020
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Maine
Just obtained my first poly, I'm nose deep again in reading up on it and keep coming across gravel concerns with the poly potentially eating the gravel by accident and dieing from it.
With that I'm also looking at articles that are saying alot of sands holds harmful gases that get released when disturbed (not really a can of worms I want to open).
So my big questions is, is there a fine enough gravel that is safe for my poly and that won't hold these (harmful gases)? Also so that I could still regularly use my siphon vacuum when cleaning it wont get sucked up.
 
Most aquarium sand available is safe. Think they were talking about deep sand beds that can hold hydrogen sulfide if not stirred up. If you keep it about 1-2 inches then no need to worry. Sand will get pulled up by the gravel vac but will fall down eventually.
 
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kno4te said:
Most aquarium sand available is safe. Think they were talking about deep sand beds that can hold hydrogen sulfide if not stirred up. If you keep it about 1-2 inches then no need to worry. Sand will get pulled up by the gravel vac but will fall down eventually.
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Alright well that's a big relief then, thank you for clearing that up for me.
But also I still want to use my regular vacuum cleanings, is there a idk course enough sand or fine enough gravel that's is not only safe for the poly but won't get sucked up vacuming?
 
PredatorPiqued said:
Alright well that's a big relief then, thank you for clearing that up for me.
But also I still want to use my regular vacuum cleanings, is there a idk course enough sand or fine enough gravel that's is not only safe for the poly but won't get sucked up vacuming?
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Most sand will get pulled up but as u bring the vacuum cylinder up it’ll fall down. U can also look at pool filter sand. A bit heavier and won’t get sucked in as much compared to regular sand., if i remember right.
 
kno4te said:
Most sand will get pulled up but as u bring the vacuum cylinder up it’ll fall down. U can also look at pool filter sand. A bit heavier and won’t get sucked in as much compared to regular sand., if i remember right.
Click to expand...
I have used pool filter sand before and it is indeed a nice heavy sand. Barely any got sucked away if I remember correctly.
 
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