Substrate Newbie

[Rust]

Kind of a newbie to the monster fish category but I have a Red Tail Catfish and a Marbled Achara Catfish and was wondering if filter sand is ok to put in the tank.

 

[oneyedfish]

Pool filter sand would work. If you were looking for something darker I'd suggest Black Diamond blasting sand. I have black diamond sand in my TSN's grow out tank and he seems to like it.

 

[Rust]

To be more precise I believe I have silca sand....that won't be too rough on their bellies?

 

[rgonzales]

I have used pool filter sand with bichirs no problem

 

[Rust]

So no problems with Red Tails then....any more input would be helpful.

Just don't want my babes to die

 

[barberking12]

pool filter sand will work great. dont get blasting sand. catfish are scaleless so have sensative skin like rays i would get nothing thats to sharp. imo

 

[Rust]

It silica so it's not rough unless you get it under your nails

 

[Rust]

Bump. Any more insight?

 

[wow_it_esploded]

Silica sand might be a little rough depending on how sensitive the fish are in practice. If you already have the sand, I say go for it and just keep a look out for abrasions on the fish. If there are abrasions/irritation/etc then I would switch to something a little softer, but until then I'd say go ahead. If you don't already have the sand, I would go straight playground sand. It's fine enough to be soft.

 

[Rust]

Silica sand might be a little rough depending on how sensitive the fish are in practice. If you already have the sand, I say go for it and just keep a look out for abrasions on the fish. If there are abrasions/irritation/etc then I would switch to something a little softer, but until then I'd say go ahead. If you don't already have the sand, I would go straight playground sand. It's fine enough to be soft.

Would this work?
http://www.homedepot.com/Building-M...splay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051