Changing substrate to sand

Question
QUESTION: Hello Renee.  You've helped me recently re: substrate.  I have a little more detail I'd like to ask.

I like the idea of filling up terra cotta dishes with sand so the African dwarf frogs could go in there but if I do change the whole tank to sand, how would I go about that without destroying the beneficial bacteria in the gravel?

Also, will the frogs ingest too much sand while eating?

I've bought a bag of playsand because I've read people can use that.  Is that ok?  I hope so because I sure don't want to have to take it back to the store (heavy).

One last question; are Endler's Livebearers hardy?  Can they be kept in water 72-74 degrees?  I've heard higher temps can shorten their lifespan.  Can they live with Honey Gouramis/Platies?

Thanks!

Paula

ANSWER: Hello Paula,

You have a great point about the beneficial bacteria if you change the entire tank to sand.  It's going to be gone, except in the filter it will still be there.

I recommend using a product called Biozyme.  It will re-establish it within a short period of time.  Combined with what you already have, in the filter, it will be a good re-start.

The frogs may ingest some sand.  The issue would be whether or not to worry about that.  In the wild, nobody monitors these frogs and what they eat on and although the river beds they are in sometimes have rock, they also have sand and they live just fine.

Very fine sand will run through them, but some kinds can lodge.  

Playsand is actually recommended by others, and it should be a good substrate.  http://tixob.com/Reptile-Supplies/Bearded-Dragons-Terrarium/

Endlers are hardy, yes, and are very similar to guppies.  I think they would be an excellent choice for your frogs.  

They would do fine with the fish you have, yes.  I think you are on the right track with this situation.

Have I asked you which frogs you have? African Dwarf Frogs or African Long Clawed Frogs?

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Renee and thanks for the answer.

I have the dwarf frogs not the clawed ones.  

If I could ask something else regarding sizes of these particular fish, it would be appreciated.  

I have seen so many diff. answers about mature length of species, what is your expert knowledge of adult sizes of:

Platies
Endler's
Dwarf Gouramis
Honey Gouramis
Guppies
White Cloud Minnows
Common Feeder Crayfish
Panda Cories
Peppered Cories
Julii Cories
African Dwarf Frogs

These are all aquatic pets I have in various tanks.  I have other species too but they're full grown so I know their sizes.
I'm trying not to overcrowd my tanks with future planning.

One last thing if you're not getting bleary eyed, is I have 8 fancy goldfish in a 75 gallon rectangular tank.  Some I've had for months, some for a couple of years.  This tank has been established for 7 yrs. now with various fancy goldfish over the years but passed away.

What I've been wondering about is they are growing sooooo slowly.  Even a few I've had for 1-2 yrs. are still only about 2" in body length, and I bought them when they were a little smaller than that.  I had been cleaning the tank every 2 wks. but for a couple of months started every week.  There's never any problems with the water tho'.  I have 2 Eheim cannister filters below the tank.  

I don't mind them staying small but have never owned a big fancy goldfish and I love these guys.  I've always had fancies in this tank since 2003, albeit not these particular ones.  

I've been told that depending on where you buy them in the 1st place can mean they're already stunted or not the best quality fish.  I've always bought from Wal-Mart in the past (thank goodness they stopped selling fish at W-M here in Ontario Canada anyway), and I've purchased at a huge chain here called Big Al's Aquarium Services.

Do you think they'll still grow large or not?  If I thought they were going to stay small, I'd get a couple more but I don't want to take a chance.

Thanks again!!!!
Paula

Answer
Hi Paula,

My apologies for the delayed answer.  Got some kind of nasty virus and had to reformat.  But, I'm back.  Okay, let's see if I can help answer some of your questions.

Platies - Up to 3 inches.  2.5 for females is standard, but some overgrow that.  Males stay much smaller, in general.  Usually 1.5 to 2 inches total.
Endler's - These are very close cousins to the Guppy.  I haven't seen these much above an inch and half, but a rare 2" size might occur with proper feeding conditions, just like with any species.  A larger one pops up now and then.  Endler's are a less common livebearer in my part of the USA.
Dwarf Gouramis - About 3 to 3.25 inches they say, but I have rarely seen one above 2.75 inches.
Honey Gouramis - From the book : Up to 3 inches.  
Guppies - Females - up to 3 inches (I know, it says 2.5 in books, but not only did I have 3 inch females, I had some which were probably larger), males stay around 2.5 at most.
White Cloud Minnows - Not much bigger than 2 inches.
Common Feeder Crayfish - You don't want to know.  We fished a crayfish out last year, from our local creek, that was about 8" long...so I have to go by that, and say up to 8", but more commonly 5".
Panda Cories - Some Corydoras get very large...I have much experience breeding and rearing Corie Cats.  2 inches, females, a hair smaller for males.
Peppered Cories - Small, but up to 3 inches, I believe. .
Julii Cories - 2 inches to 3 inches.
African Dwarf Frogs - Mine are about 2 inches long.  

The goldfish are growing slowly, for several reasons, but the most obvious is species.  The types you have are not astoundingly fast growers and probably remain small. Orandas are known for taking forever to get large.

It could also have to do with what you mentioned...where you buy them...where they get their stock...how they are cared for as babies, etc.

As with any animal, environmental factors come into scope where growth rates are concerned.

Hope it helps!  Happy holidays.

Renee