Sand and Goldfish?

[eteller]

I recently upgraded my 29gal. tank to a 55gal for my community fish, and plan to set-up the 29gal. as a Goldfish tank. I'm thinking some Black Moors with white gravel or sand. Will sand work okay with GF?

[Rue]

Good question! I had an incident with a goldie getting a piece of gravel stuck in his mouth. It was just the 'right' size to get stuck. Luckily I saw it and I was able to hold him and get it out...

...but given how they like to root around in the substrate I think you'd do best with a smaller gravel. Too small to get stuck in their mouths, but large enough that they're not always making a mess of the substrate (sand clouds, etc.)...

A 29 g will hold 2-3 fancy goldfish comfortably.

[labnjab]

I have play sand as the substrate in my 55 gallon with 4 fancies. They love it. Their always digging around in it. I wouldn't put any more the 2 fancies in a 29 and that would be pushing it and would only be if you have it overflitered. They get up to 10 inches depending on species and are very, very active. I will be soon upgrading mine to a 75 gallon, and will only be keeping the 4 of them and will not add anymore

[eteller]

I went ahead and got off-white gravel at Wally World, will be using a Whisper 30-60 from my 55gal (got a canister for it) on the 29gal. Found ammonia at Family Dollar to cycle it.

[Fishguy2727]

The only thing I would ever keep my goldfish on is sand. I only use Estes' Marine Sand.

Gravel traps debris which causes water and health problems. It can also get stuck in their mouth.

I hope you will take the time to read through the goldfish articles which are stickied in the goldfish section (a sub-section of the coldwater section). They are also in my blog. Another important one to read is 'Stocking an Aquarium' in the general freshwater section. These should be very helpful.

[troy]

I have play sand as the substrate in my 55 gallon with 4 fancies. They love it. Their always digging around in it. I wouldn't put any more the 2 fancies in a 29 and that would be pushing it and would only be if you have it overflitered. They get up to 10 inches depending on species and are very, very active. I will be soon upgrading mine to a 75 gallon, and will only be keeping the 4 of them and will not add anymore
There is only one species of goldfish.

[Northernguy]

I think sand is ok for any type of fish.They don't have gravel in the wild!
Rue i used pool filter sand in my tanks and I never get any clouding at all,it settles real fast and clear.
I love the stuff!

[Fishguy2727]

The type of sand can have a huge effect. And even the same type but different batches or brands in different places can make a huge difference. This is one reason why I only use or recommend Estes' Marine Sand.

[Rue]

I've only done sand once...way back when...

Never again.


But I believe you! Maybe we had some weird stuff...no way of finding out now...

The smaller 'natural' coloured gravel is my favourite now...wish I had purchased that instead of 'black' for my 55g...but I was trying to involve the kids...

At least I wouldn't let them pick blue or purple...:hmm3grin2orange: