Question About Sand

[cusunfireguy]

I have seen a few times people stating that you can use play sand purchased at your local hardware store for substrate. I know that you have to clean and rinse really well but my question is this:

How do you clean the sand during water changes? Does a python work?

Steven

 

[FishLuvr]

there is a method that you have to get use to of swirling and hovering the syphon just over the sand, in order to get at the debris, i never got use to that method and gave up on sand, i tried it twice in two different tanks, and loved the way it looked until it got dirty.

You also need to sift through the sand or get fish/snails that will do it for you else it will compact and anerobic bacteria will build up in pockets in the sand bed.

 

[usacutie81]

That's why I decided not to get sand. My husband really really likes the looks of it, but since he never cleans it, I decided it would probably get really nasty and be too much hassle so I used a veto.

 

[FroggyFox]

http://www.myfishtank.net/forum/freshwater-general-discussion/13624-sand-faq.html

The sand I have in my tanks (except my saltwater tank) is from my original bag of sand purchased at Walmart for a couple of bucks.

You MUST MUST MUST rinse very very well. This means rinse more than you think you need to. You should be able to pick it up and drop a handful and the water should be clear within 5-10 seconds.

When you gravel vac you just hover the vac over the surface and it does an 'ok' job. You need to have good suction or some of the heavier stuff wont get picked up. Something that helps keep the sand clean is having an apple snail in the tank and/or critters that like to dig in the sand (my cichlids had a blast with it)

 

[echoofformless]

I keep recommending, and I'm surprised more people aren't actually using, the Quikrete Medium Sand.

It's already rinsed and kiln-sterilized. You can just pour it right on in as is. No dust or anything. It's beautiful, cheap, easy and safe.