Substrate for DP's

Livelifelaughlove

I was hoping to be able to use some tumbled rock substrate for the tank. is that a possibility? there are no sharp edges or anything. or do they really have to have sand?

If so, how much and where can i get sand?
You cycle a tank with the plants and substrate in the tank correct?

iamntbatman

Well, puffers don't *need* any particular kind of substrate as they never spend any time on the bottom, but with sand they might have an easier time finding snails cruising around. If you're doing a really serious planted tank, you might want something like Eco-Complete, which is a sandy substrate designed for planted tanks. If you want to go the cheap route, you can buy a 50lb bag of play sand from Home Depot for about $4. Just be sure to rinse it really well before adding it to your tank or you'll have a cloudy mess.

You can cycle with or without plants or substrate, but both can speed up your cycle.

Livelifelaughlove

Ok, thanks for the advice! I will see price wise if i can handle the eco-complete.

Twistersmom

I have sand at the bottom of my DP tank.
Allot of times in the morning when I turn on the light, they will be nesting in the sand.

Livelifelaughlove

well it looks like i probably won't get them anyways

catfishtabbi

Why not?

Livelifelaughlove

eh, just decided it seems like more work than i have time for. I won't want to get them and then have to get rid of them b/c i can't find the time to take proper care of them. This may just be me saying this b/c im sick (three week sinus/ear/eye infection) and am just tired. who knows. I am putting off deciding for a while, till everything even outs

catfishtabbi

Well sometimes it's best to take some extra consideration before committing to caring for something else. The right will come and there will always be DP. I hope your feeling better, I landed in the hosp. with the latest flu-bug. Take good care of yourself.

Livelifelaughlove

Thats what i figured. Usually i would have no problem, but this is my busy time in band, and i have no energy. So i think i will hold off till after a graduate in june. Maybe ill put my betta in it. but even just cycling it seems like to much work right now.

i hope you are feeling better as well. I am full of anti-biotics so hopefully ill be better soon to. missed like 12 days of school