... Right now I have 4 4-5 inch reds in a 75. The tank has black gravel substrate and several pieces of driftwood as cover along with a black background. I have two emp. 400's as filters. If I removed the gravel and driftwood would there be a spike in my parameters due to losing beneficial bacteria? I like the look of a bare tank and also it would be easier to clean. Suggestions are welcome.
Thinking about going to a bare tank...
- Thread starter African Dick
- Start date
You have a couple of things to consider here. Bacteria can grow on just about anything. So as long as there is sufficient food, thats not an issue. What is an issue is whats more important, the effort needed to maintain your tank or your fishes well being. A fish in a comfortable, clean, and chemically correct environment will always grow faster, be healthier and happier. My opinion which doesn't amount to anything, would be to leave the scenery.
Go bare! I had my ps on a bare bottomed tank and they looked great!!
Here is the S. Mac on bare bottom:
And the mixed pygos (I wish I hadnt sold them):
Here is the S. Mac on bare bottom:
And the mixed pygos (I wish I hadnt sold them):
Disagree on this one, stick with the dark gravel. A dark bottom and background does wonders for a piranhas colour. I bet you they fade a bit in colour if you ditch the dark gravel. Also piranhas need to feel secure if they are to lose the shyness. By going completely bare you remove that security they have. It is like putting them in a completely new environment again, but this time with no cover.
However losing the gravel will not affect the water stats much, if anything they may improve some, as food and water will not get trapped in the gravel.
My advice is keep the gravel, I recon you’ll regret it after.
However losing the gravel will not affect the water stats much, if anything they may improve some, as food and water will not get trapped in the gravel.
My advice is keep the gravel, I recon you’ll regret it after.
pirahna1950;657571; said:
It can just be a pain to clean. When they attack food they scatter it everywhere. I have to move the driftwood around a lot of the time just to find the leftovers. What if I just left the driftwood and cleared the gravel out?
Having experience with many species of Ps and in tanks with sand, gravel, and bare bottom I must say that the way the light bounces off of the bottom of the glass and on their bellies makes their colors look wonderful. Hell look at my pics! Look at that glitter they have going on!
Also I dont really believe going bare would make them more or less nervous. My pygos where skittish but nothing unusual and my Mac is one insane MoFo. He hand feeds and slams the glass and follows you as you walk by the tank.
Also I dont really believe going bare would make them more or less nervous. My pygos where skittish but nothing unusual and my Mac is one insane MoFo. He hand feeds and slams the glass and follows you as you walk by the tank.
JD7.62;657621; said:Go bare! I had my ps on a bare bottomed tank and they looked great!!
Here is the S. Mac on bare bottom:
And the mixed pygos (I wish I hadnt sold them):
In your pygo tank it looks like you left some driftwood in place? Do you use a light at all?
Bama,
If I was going to do that, I'd still buy a slate sheet about 1/4 inch thick to cover the bottom. Think of it this way, due to whatever reason, you will now be required to live in an all white environment. Your fish will thank you if you leave the substrate.
If I was going to do that, I'd still buy a slate sheet about 1/4 inch thick to cover the bottom. Think of it this way, due to whatever reason, you will now be required to live in an all white environment. Your fish will thank you if you leave the substrate.
i keep my p's in bare bottom tanks...it really does make it easy to clean and i dont think the p's really care one way or the other.