Sand and plants

Mr Smiley

I have a 38 Gal that has medium to medium large gravel. I also have plants that are half alive. My tank is stocked with 6 glo fish 2 neons 4 black fin tip tetra, 4 clown loaches, 5 black cooli loachs, 5 kuhli loaches, and a Common Pleco.

I didnt know we would go the way of the loach and know they like to burrow.

Would it be worth switching 80 lbs of gravel with 60lbs of sand?

I want to keep my plants, but not sure what kind of sand would be good. Ive been looking at Aqua Terra tan sand.But i want the plants to grow and look good. Right now they arent looking so good, thats why im thinking of the change of the whole tank aqua scape.

Thank you



If you need to know more about my set up id be more then happy to let you know.

Mr Smiley

redchigh

Now sure why you made another post... I agree with Byron's comments on the fish needing a larger tank eventually.

Some plants like sand, some don't. Best solution might be to have a "sand pit" somewhere in the tank for the loaches to dig and have the plants in gravel.

I plan on switching all my tanks over to sand, but the sand is Grade S colorquatz (actually used in construction), which is around 1mm in diameter. Much smaller and you'll have to worry about compaction and bad bacteria producing sulfur compounds which can kill your fish.