Hey all,
so after dealing with a white cloudiness in my water for 5 months now I've decided my next step is to switch my subsrate from gravel to sand. The cloudiness was discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=8&t=30225
So I have my one 3 inch gsp in the tank right now and I'm hesitant to do the switch as in my many years of aquarium keeping I've never used sand as a substrate. My main question is what are the best types of sand to use and how the heck do you clean the stuff? I always use my siphon for cleaning the gravel but to me it just seems like the siphon would suck up all the sand and it would be gone within a few cleanings. Besides that and stirring the sand to prevent gas build up is there anything else to worry about? Thanks for the help.
Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32775
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
You think your tank is cloudy because gravel??? Try aragonite sand, if you really want to see cloudy! Messing with the substrate now, is probably the worst thing you can do if there are cycling issues. Although I do recommend aragonite sand for a BW fish.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
-
- Puffer Fry
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 3:07 pm
- Location (country): PHILLY
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
I have sugar sand in my tank and if you hover the siphon over the sand it will get all the dirt. You will suck up some sand but I have had my tank with sand for over a year and still haven't noticed a loss of sand. Sand is hard to keep clean but I like it better then gravel. Post pics when your done.
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32775
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
It must be thoroughly stirred (even under ALL decor) weekly.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
I have used silica sand in almost all of my tanks over the years and can't complain one bit. Its sold at pool stores and is $6 for a 50 pound bag. Doesn't really seem to shift water parameters and doesn't make water cloudy at all if cleaned properly.
.oOo.oOo.
- Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
- Posts: 32775
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Filbert, the 12" T lineatus
Punkster, the 4" red T miurus
Mongo, the 4" A modestus
2 T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
Also kept:
lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles - Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
- Location: Chicago
- Contact:
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
Silica doesn't buffer the water for a higher "steady" pH & hardness needed for BW systems.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
-
- Mentor
- Posts: 6155
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 4:39 pm
- Gender: Male
- Location (country): East Coast, USA
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
+1 to PP's comments.
Where's the fish? - Neptune
- scpion
- Fahaka Puffer
- Posts: 672
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:57 am
- My Puffers: 23in Mbu, donated to SEA Aquarium
4in Fahaka 150g - Location (country): singapore
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
If u are really worried about losing too much sand, what I did was I tied a sock on the other end of the siphon so all the sand and loose debris would collect there. Rinsing the content in a small pail is fairly easy. Then u could dump the "rescued" sand into the tank..
I am not a Troll, I am just pissed..!
Re: Switching from Gravel to Sand for the First Time
Pufferpunk wrote:Silica doesn't buffer the water for a higher "steady" pH & hardness needed for BW systems.
I have 15 pounds of base rock, and my water right from the tap is already at a really high kH level. If your water needs buffering, than maybe not the best option...
.oOo.oOo.