Hi, I have 4 Geophagus in my 200gal tank. I have 1 Altifrons, 1 Orange Head Tapajos, 1 Sveni and 1 Red Hump Eartheater (I am aware that i need to get some more, I will be doing so next week.) In the tank currently is gravel (smooth, squishy like gravel, 2-3mm, with small rocks that the Geophagus have been spitting out) that came with the tank, and I used it at the time. As the tank is so large, getting all the substrate out while maintaining these fish will be quite difficult. So my question is, can I mix pool filter sand with this Gravel and provide a good environment for my geos? The geos have been on gravel for awhile and seem to be doing okay. But it does not sit well with me because I know they are sand sifters. Will this work?
Geophagus Sand and Gravel Substate.
- Thread starter smaugster
- Start date
Welcome aboard
I suggest removing the gravel because the geophagus will move sand and expose the gravel.
Thread below may be helpful.
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/changing-substrate.747536/
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I emptied my 560 gallon tank and removed the substrate and had it refilled in a few hours. Your geo's will be fine in a 20 gallon tote or a couple of 5 gallon buckets for a couple of hours.
If you're worried you could add an airstone or ladel the water every so often to maintain O2 levels.
Honestly no big deal to make it happen. I think you will be disappointed in the end result if you mix the sand with the gravel.
Welcome to MFk mate!
If you're worried you could add an airstone or ladel the water every so often to maintain O2 levels.
Honestly no big deal to make it happen. I think you will be disappointed in the end result if you mix the sand with the gravel.
Welcome to MFk mate!
Awesome, thanks everyone. I've added some sand thats settled in nice, and ive begun to jsut start scooping out the gravel that ends up at the top of the sand. There isnt actually much of it, its a very thin layer of gravel. The geos have started to sift which has been nice to see.
