chandler27

Im trying to set my tank up to have a tropical feel. I live here in Florida and have all these conch shells in my yard and was wondering if using a sand bottom with a conch shell for fish to hide in and maybe some live plants would work.

Also, what are some of the more tropical looking freshwater fish?

MasterShake2003

Is this your first aquarium? Because that will change my suggestions quite a bit...

As far as sand goes, personally, I don't really like using it as a substrate. It is about impossible to clean and that means you need alot of bottom feeders to clean up the mess.
I like the gravel and it comes in about every color under the sun. Black will make your fishes color appear brighter.

Using the shells shouldn't be a problem at all, just make sure you rise them, rinse again, and really rinse them well again before putting them in the tank. Especially if you got them directly out of the ocean.

Some of the most colorful and popular freshwater fish are the livebearers (guppies, mollies, platties and swordtails) All these come in a galaxy of colors and you just have to pick your favorite ones. I have a 20 gal livebearer tank with black gravel, natural lookin fake plants and some pink and green accent stones and I think it looks great, but that's my opinion.

What fish to get also really depends on what size tank you have. I could recommend a stocking scheme for you if I knew the size of your tank and your experience level with aquariums. I love picking out fish!!!! Let me know and I'll get back to you

I'll even post some pics of the fish I'm talking about so you can see them before deciding.

chandler27

I had heard that sand was easier to clean, that you just sucked up the stuf of the bottom without touching the sand? This is my first tank and is only a 10gal. I know most ppl recommend a 20gal but the 10 fits much better in my room.

I was thinking of getting some Kuhli Loach's and read they liked sand more. Maybe a fine black gravel?

Thanks for your help

Blub

chandler27

So Kuhli Loaches would not work in a 10gal tank? If they would, is that all I could have in there?

joshthefisherman

You could get a khuli loach but only one comfortably and I wouldnt reccomend it as a single fish because it hides most of the day comes out at night

angelfish220

When counting khuli loaches I take 1/2 the adult length because they are very skinny (and because CWC says so and I trust him with every fishy life) you could get 3 of those and a trio of guppies I guess those are tropical looking. I have coarse sand in my 55 and I like it 10 times better than gravel, but you have to stir it or get mts so you dont get any gas bubbles.

lilsoccakid

ive recently switched to sand, and i love it! its easier to maintain, because nothing can fall through it to the bottom