As long as it is innert sand(and its got no lime in it - test it by putting vinegar in it), then you can use it in any tank, but with the obvious problem that you cant gravel clean it and the bacteria build up. We don't sell alot of sand at work, because we dont recommed or use it.

*Heidi*

__________________

Lol. it's little stones - not just any little stones, but pink and purple ones (the fish belong to my 5 year old daughter, although she hasn't quite grasped the concept of looking after them herself).

I shall try the frozen floaty things tomorrow!

Thanks again all!

At first I thought it might be compaction due to the sand, this produces bubbles of Sulphur hydroxide gas which creates a rotten egg smell. However I would blame it on the bloodworm, the water bloodworms come in is often polluted and should be replaced with clean, dechlorinated water as soon as you get them home. Also I would recommend straining the bloodworm through a net and rinsing them (with treated water) before feeding them.

Cleaning sand isn't that difficult, every week or so simply stir the sand with your fingers, this releases all of the dirt and grime which means all you have to do is suck it up with the gravel vacuum.

Which is what I said in my first post about sand! As for feeding the bloodworm, she hasn't been feeding them bloodworm, she has been feeding them sinking food, and she is going to try bloodworm to rule out the food that they are normally fed on.

*Heidi*

p.s. out of curiousity do you own or work at an aquatics centre? you seem to know alot about fish and plants.

__________________

Apologies Heidi I should pay more attention to other peoples posts before posting myself.

I don't work at an aquatic store, my uncle has been keeping fish for 35 years so I've learnt a lot from him. Keeping and breeding almost a hundred species of fish has also helped.

Apology accepted

So we have both had good teachers as mine had(up until he died last april) owned a aquatics centre since 1970 and owned them many many years before that and his wife who I still work with(at the same centre) has been with him every step of the way, maybe with different methods to some of the books/experts etc but untimately they've kept fish alive and healthy and thriving and breeding for alot of years. Add that to his son who is 33 and worked there since he was 16 and his daughter who is 25 and theres not much they can't teach me(or havent taught me) about fish

*Heidi*

__________________