Re:Subject: Flourite as a substrate for Corydoras catfish?

[zachary_villers at twcolumbus.com]

All the advice I have read about keeping Cory cats indicates that the
gravel substrate should be rounded so that they won't wear their barbels
down to nubs.  After I washed my flourite with bare hands, they felt
rather rough and scraped up, so I am wondering if this is an appropriate
substrate for a planted tank with cory catfish.

If flourite shouldn't be used, what would be a good alternative?  Could
I cover the flourite with about an inch of rounded gravel or sand?
Would this just get mixed when vacuuming the surface, and bring the
flourite to the top?

Thanks for any advice.

Cheri


Cheri,

       I havent ever used flourite, but I have used "rougher" gravel. My 
experience with cories is that poor water quality will lead barbel 
deterioration. Hopefully our good Dr Morin will shed some light here, but I 
think they should be just fine, so long as you perform regular maintenance 
with light vacuuming. That being said, I rarely vacuum because i feel that a 
nice mulmy substrate is good for root uptake.

Good luck with your cory's
-Zach