Sand
- Thread starter Fishman1995
- Start date
What kind of sand are you planning on using? Is it going into a new tank or an established one?
When I did sand in my Zebra tank a few years ago, I used playground sand (cheap, from Home Depot) and rinsed it thoroughly. I recall taking it out in a bucket, running the hose on it, kneading it with my hands, dumping out the discolored water, and repeating many times. Once the water ran clear (it took awhile), I was able to put it in the tank. I don't remember having any issues with cloudiness in the water after rinsing.
What are you planning on keeping with the sand bottom? I only ask because I found sand to be very much a nuisance and eventually swapped it out for a fine gravel instead, which has proven to be a much better option for what I was doing (and the plecs don't seem to mind!). However, there are definitely situations where it works!
When I did sand in my Zebra tank a few years ago, I used playground sand (cheap, from Home Depot) and rinsed it thoroughly. I recall taking it out in a bucket, running the hose on it, kneading it with my hands, dumping out the discolored water, and repeating many times. Once the water ran clear (it took awhile), I was able to put it in the tank. I don't remember having any issues with cloudiness in the water after rinsing.
What are you planning on keeping with the sand bottom? I only ask because I found sand to be very much a nuisance and eventually swapped it out for a fine gravel instead, which has proven to be a much better option for what I was doing (and the plecs don't seem to mind!). However, there are definitely situations where it works!
Pleco is right on the money!! Sand can be very unforgiving to your filters and if very deep can leach bad substances into your water if disturbed. If using sand, pool filter sand works very well as its cleaner then most cheap sand as its meant for a filter already. It also contains less silica so its less prone to grow algae. Many people have great luck with play sand and some do not so be sure to compare ingredients so you have the sand that fits your needs. If unsure what one to use pool filter sand may be your best bet. Sand can be great if not to deep. Its very easy to vacuum as you just need to hold the vac tube above the sand and let the material pass through the vac tube. Sand is dense so waste does not pass into it as gravel does. I would not keep sand more then a 1/2 inch to an inch deep. You also want to avoid your pumps stirring up the sand bed as this can get into the water column and then into your pumps and wipe them out prematurely as it will act like sand paper in your pumps and eat them away by sanding them down to failure. Pleco, I critiqued your good info (in reference to your other post about being critiqued). LOL just joking! I was happy that I could add to your great post, I would have never explained about cleaning the sand as you did, I hope someone does the same for my post as well.
KcMopar- That isn't a critique- it's a wonderful addition!
That reminded me though, keep in mind that waste will collect on the sand and it is very unsightly. That means very frequent siphoning to keep the tank from looking rather gross. I was feeding my Zebras a shrimp-based sinking pellet that was a brownish red color when I had sand and it would collect on top and look quite horrible. Even my shrimp cleaning crew couldn't do the job. You'll also need some method of stirring the sand, or at least moving it around to prevent potentially toxic buildup.
That reminded me though, keep in mind that waste will collect on the sand and it is very unsightly. That means very frequent siphoning to keep the tank from looking rather gross. I was feeding my Zebras a shrimp-based sinking pellet that was a brownish red color when I had sand and it would collect on top and look quite horrible. Even my shrimp cleaning crew couldn't do the job. You'll also need some method of stirring the sand, or at least moving it around to prevent potentially toxic buildup.
Perfect timing for this thread, My son and I are both removing the sand from our tanks he has a 180 and I a 150, we will be switching to a fine gravel, the sand is harder to keep clean, and it seems that any parasite or worm that can burrow into the sand will be protected from medications. If a infected fish poos another fish may barrie it while digging and it may lay dormant for days.
An example is when I treated for ich I could see that the medication never penetrated below the sand line because the silicone below the sand line remained clear
An example is when I treated for ich I could see that the medication never penetrated below the sand line because the silicone below the sand line remained clear
What kind of sand are you planning on using? Is it going into a new tank or an established one?
When I did sand in my Zebra tank a few years ago, I used playground sand (cheap, from Home Depot) and rinsed it thoroughly. I recall taking it out in a bucket, running the hose on it, kneading it with my hands, dumping out the discolored water, and repeating many times. Once the water ran clear (it took awhile), I was able to put it in the tank. I don't remember having any issues with cloudiness in the water after rinsing.
What are you planning on keeping with the sand bottom? I only ask because I found sand to be very much a nuisance and eventually swapped it out for a fine gravel instead, which has proven to be a much better option for what I was doing (and the plecs don't seem to mind!). However, there are definitely situations where it works!
When I did sand in my Zebra tank a few years ago, I used playground sand (cheap, from Home Depot) and rinsed it thoroughly. I recall taking it out in a bucket, running the hose on it, kneading it with my hands, dumping out the discolored water, and repeating many times. Once the water ran clear (it took awhile), I was able to put it in the tank. I don't remember having any issues with cloudiness in the water after rinsing.
What are you planning on keeping with the sand bottom? I only ask because I found sand to be very much a nuisance and eventually swapped it out for a fine gravel instead, which has proven to be a much better option for what I was doing (and the plecs don't seem to mind!). However, there are definitely situations where it works!
Thanks, Kerry, I guess I recall seeing that someplace before. These acronyms and text slang keeps me busy. I don't own a cell phone and therefore don't text. We don't have coverage where we live as yet and I am not out and around on a daily basis. I'd be much better at Morse code, which is sort of useless knowledge now days. lol
That there signature like what we have here.
I havent been keepin you guys updated on plan, so i will now, i am still gettn my new 10 gallon in Februay, nd i've got my shells for my shelles. At the moment the plan is to buy 5-6 N. Brevis "Zaires" off of Aquabid at a low price. I want to use black sand and heres my shells if you want to see them.
I havent been keepin you guys updated on plan, so i will now, i am still gettn my new 10 gallon in Februay, nd i've got my shells for my shelles. At the moment the plan is to buy 5-6 N. Brevis "Zaires" off of Aquabid at a low price. I want to use black sand and heres my shells if you want to see them.
ive just done ALOT of work to get my sand. Through research ive discovered a producted called 3m colourquartz. its basically a quartz covered in some sort of ceramic material. Its round (great for corries because its not sharp), very fine, and heavy. so it wont float up into your water and ruin your filters. and comes in a variety of colours (including black) GREAT stuff.....did i mention that its inert? im in the process of swapping it into my tank at the moment (about half way done)
3m has aparently stopped makeing the stuff...but ive found another manufacturer of the stuff. its called spectra quartz. if you google 3m colour quartz youll see that TONS of people have been useing the stuff and have had great success with it. Spectra quartz, on the other hand, is the exact same product, but they claim that it is superior because the colour doesnt fade at all, and it doesnt leach stuff into your tank.
Ive had one hell of a time finding it. they dont sell it anywhere near my home, so i had to drive from vancouver to seattle just to get a bag of the stuff. cost me $22 for a 50lb bag
i HIGHLY recommend it if you can find the stuff
its usually used to coat the bottom of pools or something.
i believe it comes in two sizes. the fine one (which i have) doesnt float around like other sands would. even when i stir it up, it doesnt go anywhere. the larger size ive never seen. but ive heard it compaired to a fine gravel
when prepareing it for my tank, there wasnt a lot of stuff that came out of it. it was pretty clean. but i would wash the crap outa it just to make sure
3m has aparently stopped makeing the stuff...but ive found another manufacturer of the stuff. its called spectra quartz. if you google 3m colour quartz youll see that TONS of people have been useing the stuff and have had great success with it. Spectra quartz, on the other hand, is the exact same product, but they claim that it is superior because the colour doesnt fade at all, and it doesnt leach stuff into your tank.
Ive had one hell of a time finding it. they dont sell it anywhere near my home, so i had to drive from vancouver to seattle just to get a bag of the stuff. cost me $22 for a 50lb bag
i HIGHLY recommend it if you can find the stuff
its usually used to coat the bottom of pools or something.
i believe it comes in two sizes. the fine one (which i have) doesnt float around like other sands would. even when i stir it up, it doesnt go anywhere. the larger size ive never seen. but ive heard it compaired to a fine gravel
when prepareing it for my tank, there wasnt a lot of stuff that came out of it. it was pretty clean. but i would wash the crap outa it just to make sure