What is the name of this fish?

[professorjimjam]

Would you say that "bead-type" gravel more heavy or light as far as gravel goes?

It is very heavy, it is as heavy as a gravel that size can be.

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

Can you please shed light how this new gravel can cause a lot of issues? for example what kind of issues?

The grains might cause anaerobic pockets with lethal hydrogen sulfide. Sorry, I should have specified so, and I'm also sorry to hear about your bad experiences.

Not to mention, the non-uniform grain size can allow detritus to get underneath the grains instead of staying on top.

 

[professorjimjam]

The grains might cause anaerobic pockets with lethal hydrogen sulfide

Thanks very much! please excuse my ignorance. In layman's terms is this going to be lethal for fish or for me?

also this issue of "anaerobic pockets with lethal hydrogen sulfide" can become only with this new bead-type gravel or it can also happen to the existing gravel that I have picture below?

 

[Backfromthedead]

It is very heavy, it is as heavy as a gravel that size can be.

Sounds good to me.

Typically, you can avoid "dead zones" in the substrate by simply not stacking it too deep. The hydrogen sulfide pockets will usually only be a problem if you have a very deep substrate that is embedded with a lot of decaying organic material. Whenever I have seen examples of this it is usually in heavily stocked tanks with over 4" of substrate with visible veins of organic sludge and detritus throughout, testimony to the keepers lack of diligence in keeping it clean.

If you keep the substrate layer 1-2" deep and have plenty of actively sifting and burrowing bottom feeders like loaches I don't see you developing the dead zones, especially if you make an effort to gravel vac somewhat regularly. I don't see how the different size grains will affect this one way or the other.

 

[professorjimjam]

Sounds good to me.

Typically, you can avoid "dead zones" in the substrate by simply not stacking it too deep. The hydrogen sulfide pockets will usually only be a problem if you have a very deep substrate that is embedded with a lot of decaying organic material. Whenever I have seen examples of this it is usually in heavily stocked tanks with over 4" of substrate with visible veins of organic sludge and detritus throughout, testimony to the keepers lack of diligence in keeping it clean.

If you keep the substrate layer 1-2" deep and have plenty of actively sifting and burrowing bottom feeders like loaches I don't see you developing the dead zones, especially if you make an effort to gravel vac somewhat regularly. I don't see how the different size grains will affect this one way or the other.

thank you very much Backfromthedead . much appreciated! If you were to chose between the two gravel, would you still go with the bead-type?

 

[Deadeye]

Thank you. I was thinking of not putting them back once I take them out with the old gravel. Do you think it is good to have these mts in the tank? I was fed up with incontrollable breeding they had. If you say they are good, then I will put them back with the new gravel.

Also, looking at my old gravel and the new one? do you think I should still change the old gravel with the new one? If the new gravel can cause me "a lot of issues" as M MultipleTankSyndrome indicated, then I really do not have time and stamina to deal with those issues, so I would rather give out the loaches back and continue with the status que of my existing gravel. I really appreciate your help.

I wish I could get mts for my tank. They are great for the substrate and algae, and free food for snail eaters.

 

[Deadeye]

thank you very much Backfromthedead . much appreciated! If you were to chose between the two gravel, would you still go with the bead-type?

You could always do 50:50 right now and see which you would like better.

 

[professorjimjam]

You could always do 50:50 right now and see which you would like better.

Thank you Deadeye. I have OCD, so I can only have either of them

 

[Backfromthedead]

thank you very much Backfromthedead . much appreciated! If you were to chose between the two gravel, would you still go with the bead-type?

I would definitely try the beady type. Like I said I think the idea behind it is that it is easier on the barbs and whiskers of bottom feeding fish like loaches and Corys. It probably will look quite nice too.

As far as the fish swallowing it there are no guarantees. Ime loaches will move sand and gravel around for whatever reason whenever they want to. I've seen loaches clasp larger pieces in their mouths and carry them around the tank. Only way to avoid substrate issues for certain is to go bare bottom, but there are plenty of keepers around who have been successful with all types of substrate so I don't think it should be a huge concern unless you encounter problems.

 

[professorjimjam]

Thank you very much! I will change the substrate tonight and will update here.