Thinking of Redecorating in the Zeb Tank

Pretty much explains itself really. If you have questions about tank set-ups, tank furniture, (caves etc) chuck them in here!

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Orion
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Thinking of Redecorating in the Zeb Tank

Post by Orion »

I've had my three Zebras for over 2 months now and have found the tank maintenance to be very difficult. The sand makes it very hard for me to suck up anything and it ends up just being a mess.

I was thinking of replacing the sand with some fine black gravel. My thoughts are that the gravel will 1) make it easier for me to make caves, since my cave system tends to slide on the sand (it's very secure now, but the initial setup was hard), 2) allow me to put some plants in, and 3) make my cleanup attempts much easier.

Will moving things around be dangerous to my Zebras? Do you think they're okay with the setup they have now? New setup: Yay or nay? I'll take any opinion/advice/suggestions. Thanks! :D


Tank setup as of now:
Image

Two Zebs eating in the cave:
Image
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Plastic Mac
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Post by Plastic Mac »

I'd personally leave the sand, as I think they prefer it...but it's also a personal choice for you.
For me, having a sand substrate isn't an issue. I do end up sucking up some sand each time I do a water change, but it's never very much. Which does beg the question how much sand do you pick up and how do you perform your cleaning?

Actually scrub that, I've just checked your photo and at least to me I can undestand why. I have my power heads much further down the tank than yourself, which means 95% approx. of my tank floor has the water constantly moving over it and never alllowing anything to settle. There's only two or three places at most that I have to remove deitrus from in my tank, whcih makes cleaning much easier.
(In fact I've sited my powerheads upside down so they're directing water about an inch off the tank floor).

As for your points:

1. Will it make it esaier to make caves,

I really think you should be fixing your caves together with silicon rather than relying in the substrate to act as a foundation. It may not happen any time soon, but relying on the substrate to hold your caves together is an accident waiting to happen.

2. Allow you to put some plants in.

Gravel would be easier yes. Although I've seen several peoples tanks who grow plants in a sand substrate pretty succesfully.

3. Make my cleanups that much easier.

I don't really think so and even if it was easier... I think that would be cancelled out by your introducing plants to the tank. I reckon you could achieve a better result by altering the layout of the powerheads and filters, which if done properly would reduce your need for cleaning the tank interior.
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khblock
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Post by khblock »

I have sand in the bottom of my tank but use a modified python cleaning system. I found a tube extension with a claw on the end and that helps clean sand without sucking up too much.

You can buy the Lee's Ultimate Gravel Vac here in the states
http://www.leesaqpet.com/PICCAT/product ... /11570-71/

or purchase the claw attachment like I did for the python.

http://www.leesaqpet.com/PICCAT/product ... tem/11586/

I don't know if you can purchase these products where you are or not. I use http://www.bigalsonline.com or http://www.petsolutions.com quite a bit.

I also recently redid my tank and put a large piece of slate in the bottom. Thread with photos can be found.
http://www.zebrapleco.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1814[/url]
http://www.blockstyle.com
http://www.bestfriends.com
http://worldwildlifefund.org
http://www.oceanconservancy.org
Orion
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Location: South Florida

Post by Orion »

Thank you for the replies :D
I'm going to look into some square pre-made pleco caves, so I think I'll get a few of those, silicon the slate I have now to them, and see how that goes.

Hmm... I'll move the powerhead around... I just got an idea :) Thanks again!
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