2 Comments Kuhli Loaches and flagstone question?

Posted on the January 26, 2011 , in the Questions category. 

I’m getting some kulhi loaches sometime in the next week or 2 and was wondering if they need sand in the quarantine tank. Its bare bottom right now.

……………………………….
Separate question

I have some flagstone left over from patio and garden beds- if I boil and soak it can I put that in my tank to make a cave for them?
The flagstone doesn’t bubble when i pour vinegar on it so I think its more quartz based.

Tags: , , ,

Comments

2 Responses to “Kuhli Loaches and flagstone question?”

  1. whoo on January 26th, 2011 11:43 am

    They are fine with a bare bottom tank, but would like something to sit under (plants, rocks etc…)

    I have known people to use slate from patios in tanks, but not sure about flagstone. You have to make sure it isn’t sealed, has not been exposed to chemicals that could soak in…

  2. Marcus on January 26th, 2011 12:03 pm

    Not particularly sand, but they should have somewhere to hide and they are burrowers, so some soft substrate would be beneficial to their welfare.

    ………………………………

    Definite no, anything with a cement base leeches alkali and these fish prefer slightly acidic water with an upper max PH of 7.5. You would eventually poison them and probably any other tank mates.

    Either plastic caves, clay plant pots or bog/driftwood.

    Edit: Sounds potentially OK, but I would still err to the side of caution with anything that isn’t sold for aquarium use. Test your tap water PH, stick the stone in a bucket for a week then test the water from the bucket. Leeching is a slow process and you won’t get bubbles if you pour vinegar on a paving stone, but the soil surrounding the stone will be alkali no matter what it is anywhere else in the garden.

    Personally I wouldn’t take the risk.

Leave a Reply