Loaches Online Forum

Hi everyone! I have a 90 gallon discus show tank in which I used four inches of white silica sand for substrate. I have vallisnerias and various swordplants in it and so far they seem to be establishing themselves. I have several root tabs around the base of each clump of plants as these are heavy root feeders and the silica sand does not do anything towards feeding them. I know that over time, the swordplants will establish a strong root system that should help prevent anaerobic pockets but in the meantime I would like to consider getting some kuhliis as tankmates. I am concerned whether the silica sand would be too sharp for the kuhliis. I think they will love the depth of the sand and their digging activities should also help prevent the buildup of anaerobic pockets. I am also considering adding some MTS to the tank - the loaches should help keep the population under control. Anyone have experience with a similar setup? I would appreciate it if you shared your experience and thoughts on this. Thanks!

I use pool filter sand, and I don't know what that is in relation to the sand ou use.

The Kuhlies won't be able to devour the MTS, but I like MTS and they don't get out of control if you don't overfeed. If I start getting a few too many I scoop them out and put them in the clown tank. I am pretty sure my Synodontus euruptus also eat them.

I also keep Horsefaced loaches which I never see, since they are in the sand, and my eels spend a lot of time in the sand. I really like HF loaches. Great faces and personalities when they do come out. They do not bother my plants.

My kuhlis don't dig in sand or eat snails. You can use something like a chopstick to poke down into the sand. I like trumpet snails but between my soft water & other loaches I can't keep them well.

I use pool filter sand and the kuhlis love it, especially if there is a piece of wood laying on the sand, they will excavate a home under the wood