Posted: 2009.11.05(Thu)20:44 Post subject: help setting up the perfect cory tank
I'm planning a 20 gallon long tank exclusively for albino cories, and fishless cycling with ammonia is my preferrence. I want to create a cory paradise for happy, healthy cories. I'll use an AquaCLear 50 and an Aqueon filter for a 20 gallon tank (the Aqueon is because they self-start after power failures -- we have lots of one minute power loss issues during the day time when I'm at work). I also plan to use a bubble wand since I read that cories like to play in bubbles. I will use plastic plants for several months, then try to switch to real plants that I can attach to my driftwood.
Here are my questions:
SUBSTRATE:
I've read both pros and cons of Tahitian Black Moon Sand. I really like the black color. Some say it is hard on barbels, others say their cories love it. What do you think?
I've read both pros and cons of silica pool filter sand. I bought a bag yesterday and looked at it under a microscope. OMG, the brand I bought looked like tiny glass shards and teensy needles!!
Lowe's Play Sand looked just OK under the microscope, with some smooth grains and some with rough edges.
QUANTITY:
I do not want to overstock, but I also want lots of cories!!!! One site said that as many 15 albino cory aneaus was possible with my tank configuration. That seems like pushing the limits to me. What do you think is the largest number that is safe with weekly 25% water changes?
OPTIMUM TEMPERATURE:
I'm thinking that cories would be happiest at about 74 degrees F? What do you think?
CURRENT:
I've not read anything about how much current cories like. With my two filters (listed in first paragraph) and an 8 inch bubble wand, would they be uncomfortable?
Posted: 2009.11.06(Fri)11:18 Post subject: Re: help setting up the perfect cory tank
JAdk wrote:
I'm planning a 20 gallon long tank exclusively for albino cories, and fishless cycling with ammonia is my preferrence.
Unfortunately, most albino cories in the aquarium trade are C. aeneus, which I would not recommend for a 20g tank, as they get too large. Some of the smaller corydoras (C. panda, C. habrosus, C. leucomelas, etc.) would be a better option, unless you can get your hands on a larger tank (minimum of a 40g breeder) for the albinos, or get albinos of a confirmed smaller species.
Quote:
SUBSTRATE:
I've read both pros and cons of Tahitian Black Moon Sand. I really like the black color. Some say it is hard on barbels, others say their cories love it. What do you think?
I had a terrible experience with TMBS. I lost one albino C. aeneus and several C. panda due to barbel erosion, which I can only attribute to the TMBS. I switched substrate to a very fine "silica sand" purchased at my local Menards (home improvement department store). Here is a comparison pic of the silica sand (light colored) and the TMBS (black):
And a pic of my dying albino C. aeneus (note the barbel erosion):
I have seen some fine looking black sand at Menards... perhaps similar stores like Home Depot or Lowes may have something similar. See if you can't get a sample. It should feel smooth and non abrasive when rubbed between your fingers. The grains should be rounded and of uniform sizes.
I've read both pros and cons of silica pool filter sand. I bought a bag yesterday and looked at it under a microscope. OMG, the brand I bought looked like tiny glass shards and teensy needles!!
I wouldn't use this sand. Take a look at the round grains in the light colored sand above. This should be your goal.
Quote:
Lowe's Play Sand looked just OK under the microscope, with some smooth grains and some with rough edges.
A lot of members have good luck with play sand. I have not personally used it, but have purchased play sand for use in my yard, and I would consider using it in future corydora tanks. I may take a sifter and try to sift out the larger pieces, however.
Quote:
QUANTITY:
I do not want to overstock, but I also want lots of cories!!!! One site said that as many 15 albino cory aneaus was possible with my tank configuration. That seems like pushing the limits to me. What do you think is the largest number that is safe with weekly 25% water changes?
As mentioned above, I would not put C. aeneus in a 20g tank. If I were you, I'd choose a smaller corydora (like C. panda) and put about 10 individuals in there, together with some dither fish above (harlequin rasboras are an excellent choice).
Quote:
OPTIMUM TEMPERATURE:
I'm thinking that cories would be happiest at about 74 degrees F? What do you think?
I keep my corydora tank right around 74*F and my cories are active and healthy. Keep in mind that some corydoras do prefer higher temps. Most of them, however, will appreciate 74*.
Quote:
CURRENT:
I've not read anything about how much current cories like. With my two filters (listed in first paragraph) and an 8 inch bubble wand, would they be uncomfortable?
Corydoras generally appreciate quite a bit of current. Your setup sounds just fine.
As for your current question. Like nikelodeon79 stated the like a good current. I would give them a dead spot or two so that they have a nice resting spot. This can be made using strategically placed rocks and plants to block the flow in an area. _________________ I think I need a bigger tank......
THanks Nik and Fern for the answers. And Nik, I was really hoping that you'd reply. I've been following your posts for about a year, and I knew that you'd be the one with great info on substrate. And I've read the Minimum Tank Thread from start to finish at least 5 times over the past year.
I'd rather have pandas than anything else, but I can't get them locally. I'm leary of shipping live fish...I know people do it all the time, but it bothers me to think fish getting sloshed around with whatever tempuratues during shipment. That's why I've been thinking about anaeus cories.
Woops, lunch is over and my students are coming in now. More later.
And Nik, I was really hoping that you'd reply. I've been following your posts for about a year, and I knew that you'd be the one with great info on substrate.
Awww... you made me blush! LOL!
Quote:
I'd rather have pandas than anything else, but I can't get them locally. I'm leary of shipping live fish...I know people do it all the time, but it bothers me to think fish getting sloshed around with whatever tempuratues during shipment.
I don't blame you for being leery. I had a bad experience getting some rather rare corydoras shipped to me. five out of seven were dead... and the two that lived did not last long. They did take two days to ship, when they were supposed to take one, so that was likely the issue.
But... I also had bettas shipped from Thailand and they were perfectly fine. Bettas do tend to be hardier, though... so I guess that explains it.
Have you checked with any of the LFS to see if they'd be willing to order any corydoras for you? LFS generally get a "list" of available fish, and pandas and "punctatus" are generally pretty standard (I put punctatus in quotes because most of the cories labled as C. punctatus are actually C. leucomelas. They are some of my favorites... they look like pandas with spots!) My LFS is also occasionally able to order C. habrosus for me... except they call they "Pygmy cories." I have learned to stop arguing with them and now just refer to the fish by the wrong name when I request them at that particular store. _________________ Cory Tank Sorority Tank Mbuna Tanks
BIG PROGRESS!!!!! And thanks to all of you who sent advice.
I set up the 20 gallon long tank today.
SUBSTRATE:
As per y'all's recommendation, I went with Lowe's Premium Play Sand by Quickrete. As per Nikleodian's advice, I sifted the sand first to remove the larger pieces. You wouldn't believe how much better the sand is after sifting!!! Thanks for the advice, Nik. Rinsing the sand was time comsuming, but definitely worth it. The tank is just very slightly cloudy after putting the water in. By this time tomorrow, I expect it to be clear.
The sand now ranges from about 1/8 inch deep to about 1/2 inch deep. I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to put in.
DECORATIONS:
Currently I have plastic plants.....and they LOOK like plastic plants. In a few months, after I've gotten comfortable with water chemistry, I'll gradually ease in some real plants. I'll be needing y'all's help with that.
AIR WAND AND AIR PUMP:
I put an 8" inch bubble wall tube on a Tetra pump rated for a 20 gallon tank. Looks like too much to me. I may switch it out to a Tetra 10 gallon pump.
FISH:
Nope, not yet. Have to start and finish a fishless cycle first. However, my LFS said that he could order pandas for me when I was ready. Again, thanks Nik for the advice.
BIG PROGRESS!!!!! And thanks to all of you who sent advice.
The sand now ranges from about 1/8 inch deep to about 1/2 inch deep. I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to put in.
DECORATIONS:
Currently I have plastic plants.....and they LOOK like plastic plants. In a few months, after I've gotten comfortable with water chemistry, I'll gradually ease in some real plants. I'll be needing y'all's help with that.
There should be 2 to 3 inches of substrate.
When starting out with live plants(this is your first experience with them, right?), use fast-growing ones such as java fern. _________________
Breckenridge, CO- Dec 18-20
Ogden, UT- Jan 15-17
West Dover, VT- Feb 5-7
When starting out with live plants(this is your first experience with them, right?), use fast-growing ones such as java fern.
Java ferns actually grow quite slowly. However, they are very simple plants to care for, and they should be a good "tester" plant for you to decided if you want to invest more into a full planted tank. _________________ 2500 gallon (9,450 L) Koi Pond
6 gallon (23 L) low light planted with RCS
When its time, 5-6 months from now, I'll probably start with some easy java ferns. But that's waaaaay off from now. First I'll have to wrestle with fishless cycling, then get fish settled, then get myself into a fish mommy routine.
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LOL!
They did take two days to ship, when they were supposed to take one, so that was likely the issue.
