wrote in message
oups.com...
I have Cory sterbai and have bred them in Onyx sand tanks, not an
issue.
Cables, don't bother putting them in there. They honestly do nothing
for your tank. I've discussed the lack of usefulbness with cables, had
cables, (3 different brands over 12 years), know more about wetland
histol substrates than anyone wants to know. Save your $ and get a nice
light or Gas CO2 system, buy more plants when you startv the tank up
etc.

Add some mulm(vacuumed "dirt", or the dirt from filter sponges also
does the trick) from an existing tank. This adds precisely what is
missing from a new substrate and immedilately cycles the bacteria in
the tank with living bacteria. Also, per sqft of tank, add a handful,
of ground peat, add both the muylm and the peat to the bottom and cap
with 2-4" of onyx.

That's all you need to do.

Regards,
Tom Barr

www.BarrReport.com


Thanks for your reply, Tom. If you think the advantage of a heater cable is
marginal then I shall probably spend that money elsewhere, as you suggest.

I like the idea of adding the mulm before the Onyx Sand, and it's something
I am self sufficient in too

I have always been nervous of using a layer of peat in case I use one with
additives by mistake, but I have time to find the right stuff for this tank.
It seems right that plants would need some organic material in their medium.

-Jon

ps: I intend to use the EI plant feeding method outlined on your highly
informative site.