Substate suggestions?

Boredomb

I have decided I really would like some Corydoras in my tank. I have just one small problem. I have eco-complete for substrate. I have heard this is a problem for them as it is to "ruff".
So I was thinking this, I would split the tank as far as substrate goes. Half sand and half eco-complete. In the front part of my tank i really don't have that many plants that are heavly rooted soo I think I could get away with sand there and leave the eco in the back. I found some black sand the other day at petco that wasn't that much was thinking of using that so as you wouldn't really be able to tell the difference at a glance.

I thinking i don't really want a straight line between the two substrates but maybe something that "flows" a little more. However what do I use to separate the two substrates? Rocks or maybe sticks? ALso would black sand be okay or something more of a tan color? Any suggestion or thoughts on this?

Byron

This is exactly the issue that I have been mulling over for a few weeks, though for a different reason. I would like to divides the substrate in my 115g into Flourite or gravel at the back for the large swords, and sand along the front. The problem is that the "divider" must be solid not only from end to end but also along the tank bottom. Sand will easily move through the smallest of openings due to the water movement. Even the gravel in my 115g is always shifting back to front; the rocks do not hold it back.

I had thought of using cork bark; it is realistic, light and easily siliconed together and to the tank floor. Trouble is, I can't find any, even online [though I have not done an exhaustive search]. Rock is another option, chunks of basalt can be arranged as a mini-mountain range, and again stuck together with silicone.

My local importer of many catfish and rays has warned me not to use Eco-Complete due to the sharpness. When I was deciding on an enriched substrate for my 70g, I felt some EC in a local store and to me it was a bit "hard," even through the bag. I went with Flourite, though that has been a disappointment so far for quite another reason.

Byron.

Barbman

If you decide to go with a tan colored sand ... Pool Filter Sand's the way to go. I've seen the black sand substrate your talking about and it does look nice ... albeit a bit expensive. Some river rocks might be a nice way to transition from one into the other.

Boredomb

Byron when you say cork bark is this the stuff you are talking about?
Natural Cork Bark - Medium - Flat - Approximately 9 to 14 in. L x 5 to 8 in. W | Platforms | Reptile Habitat Furnishings | Reptile - ThatPetPlace.com

Christople

yeah that is the cork I bet, what was the other reason Byron, and Boredomb, I would choose black sand . My lfs has it by the pound, maybe your does, if not try online

Boredomb

I also find a company that deals with just cork would one of these work?
Virgin Cork Bark

or maybe just a block of cork that I can cut and and use?

Boredomb

Thanks Christople

Byron

Probably. I've only read that it works for what we are discussing, I have never actually seen it. But that link says it is natural cork bark. I'd want to make sure it had no sealant or something that would leech into the water, but as that can be used floating for turtles I assume it is safe. You have to silicone it to the tank floor, as it floats, but that is necessary anyway as I mentioned previously.

You can cut cork bark quite easily with an Exacto knife or large scissors. So it could be cut into lengths and stuck together and arranged at odd angles down the tank. My thinking is that with a dark brown Flourite substrate behind and "tan" playsand in front, this would look natural. Tan doesn't mean like sea sand, but the dark (I thought it was gray) playsand at Home Depot which they call tan.

Boredomb

I was wondering how you got it to stay down. Though that makes me have to ask Once you silcone it to the bottom of the tank can you can one remove it later down the road if they don't want that setup anymore?

Christople

I would think so but you would have to drain and carefully scrape it of, I prob wouldn't change it because of it's beauty