CaribSea substrate for panda cory?

So I recently put 6 panda cory in my 20g high tank that has CaribSea Eco Complete substrate ( )

But now I am wondering if that substrate is okay for the cory or not? If not, how should I go about changing it. Completely replace the substrate, or maybe add a layer of sand on top somehow?

 

It will be fine just not ideal. They will be happier in sand. A layer on top would not do anything as it would find itself on the bottom after time. If you don’t run co2 or have a lot of live plants, or care about live plants, just replace it with sand.

 

It will be fine just not ideal. They will be happier in sand. A layer on top would not do anything as it would find itself on the bottom after time. If you don’t run co2 or have a lot of live plants, or care about live plants, just replace it with sand.

Ah okay, I see. I do have a lot of plants since its a community tank with a betta. Would plants not do well in a sand substrate?

 

Ah okay, I see. I do have a lot of plants since its a community tank with a betta. Would plants not do well in a sand substrate?

Depends on the plants. Generally they don’t do well in sand due to how compact sand can get. Some sand does not compact very much at all, others do. Plants that do not need to spread roots into the substrate will be fine.

If you want something in the middle a sand that won’t compact like pool filter sand would work. But you’d be stuck with one color as it doesn’t come in varieties (and it’s pretty ugly IMO), or some gravel/fine gravel that’s more smooth than the eco lava rock. Another option may be black diamond blasting sand, thought I have not used it and have no idea how compact it would get but I’d imagine it’s texture is just as sharp as eco.

But as stated eco shouldn’t be a problem and unless you want to gear your whole tank to cories I’d leave it. It won’t destroy their barbels, that is a myth. Poor water quality will. At the most they won’t be as active/happy as they would be in sand.

 

So I recently put 6 panda cory in my 20g high tank that has CaribSea Eco Complete substrate ( )

But now I am wondering if that substrate is okay for the cory or not? If not, how should I go about changing it. Completely replace the substrate, or maybe add a layer of sand on top somehow?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Eco Complete will definitely affect the Panda’s barbels over time.

I‘ve never tried it, but I’d guess that sand would sink into the Eco Complete and kinda defeat what you want to accomplish.

 

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Eco Complete will definitely affect the Panda’s barbels over time.

I‘ve never tried it, but I’d guess that sand would sink into the Eco Complete and kinda defeat what you want to accomplish.

I have had and bred cories in eco for years and never and issues, all kinds pandas, peppers, albinos, bandits, emeralds, Juliis, lasers. I also have had cories in sand for years. The difference I have noticed is minimal, but I will say the cories in the sand are much more active and seem happier.

Though some were bred in an eco tank and that may be a difference in store bought ones. But I have never had barbels from a Cory, or other catfish species get injured from eco.

 

But I have never had barbels from a Cory, or other catfish species get injured from eco.

Unfortunately, I have.