Substrate Question

[crazedpuffer]

Water has little-no beneficial bacteria, and you'd need a source of food to feed the bacteria.
It would be a lot more trouble than it's worth, if your tank has been running for a while just take out most the gravel and pour the sand in the tank.

[By_a_coo]

IME I have my filter cycled, and I have no issue in changing decor when I want, I even change the whole setup (I don't mess the filter media while doing this), and everything is ok.

[Myaj]

I wouldn't use play sand. Its very, very messy. I have a tank set up with it, and while it worked for that setup (shell dwellers), I wouldn't do it for anything other than a specialized setup, again.

I'd go with aragonite sand myself.

[LizB]

I was thinking I'd go with aragonite. I was looking at a bag of play sand in the garage earlier but I'll leave it
there. I see beautiful sands in the FS but I don't know what they are and I don't want anything that will be a bunch more work.

I wouldn't use play sand. Its very, very messy. I have a tank set up with it, and while it worked for that setup (shell dwellers), I wouldn't do it for anything other than a specialized setup, again.

I'd go with aragonite sand myself.

[LizB]

I've done this with FW tanks before but I'm a little chicken with Harry. Last week my husband said I'm messing around in the tank too much. All I know is that Harry likes to chase my arm and bite my fingers now. He bites, I jump, he does a fish jump and the chase goes on.

When I do it I'll just take it real easy like I did with the FW. I didn't even take the fish out with the FW.

IME I have my filter cycled, and I have no issue in changing decor when I want, I even change the whole setup (I don't mess the filter media while doing this), and everything is ok.

[groovitudedude]

I got 100 Lbs of play sand for free from the guy I gave my auratus to, and it works great in the 20G. I actually use gravel for all my other tanks.

[LizB]

Thanks Rocco. I'm thinking I will take the gravel out slowly over a period of days and then slowly add the aragonite.

IF, I ever buy a big tank it will be for a beautiful little porc like yours. They are my fav of the larger puffers. Larger to me that is.

Water has little-no beneficial bacteria, and you'd need a source of food to feed the bacteria. It would be a lot more trouble than it's worth, if your tank has been running for a while just take out most the gravel and pour the sand in the tank.

[LizB]

What about how hard people say it is to clean before it goes into the tank? Also isn't it harder to clean? I "think" with the aragonite I'd be able to vac like I do with the gravel but not with sand right?

I got 100 Lbs of play sand for free from the guy I gave my auratus to, and it works great in the 20G. I actually use gravel for all my other tanks.

[Jase]

I think people who use sand have a good current, and a clean up crew, so stuff doesn't sit on the sand, it is filtered... I think that's how it goes...?

[groovitudedude]

Well, I guess it's time for the cories then.

[LizB]

Where've you been? In the general forum? I saw your picture. I can't believe you're really a teenager. I thought you were pulling my leg. I may have to adopt you.

I just looked at groovitudedue's 20gal with the sand and I must say I like the look. But like I said, if it's a big hassle I won't do it.



quote="Jase"]I think people who use sand have a good current, and a clean up crew, so stuff doesn't sit on the sand, it is filtered... I think that's how it goes...?[/quote]

[SpockthePuffer]

What about how hard people say it is to clean before it goes into the tank? Also isn't it harder to clean? I "think" with the aragonite I'd be able to vac like I do with the gravel but not with sand right?

You kind of have to put the gravel vac close to the sand but not close enough to suck up the sand, just the stuff sitting on top.

I think people who use sand have a good current, and a clean up crew, so stuff doesn't sit on the sand, it is filtered... I think that's how it goes...?

In sw tanks there is a clean up crew but there aren't really any for fw or bw, you just kind of have to suck up all the stuff with the gravel vac. It is handy to have a current like a ph near the bottom so then all the junk will kind of gather up in one spot so its easier to vacuum.

I have a difficult time cleaning my sand in my sw tank, its a good thing my hermits are good little cleaners! I need to get more though I usually vacuum what I can see and then I move the sand around and the hermit have a grand time eating stuff that I missed.

[groovitudedude]

Well, I doubt that crabs would do well with my Silus..

[LizB]

Can you believe I was just watching Harry and a ghost shrimp went buzzing by?! That shrimp has been in there for about 4wks. Harry saw it once that I know of and unlike the one that kept getting in his face and perished this one swam away, fast. I'd like to put some more in there with him to clean although I know they would slowly dwindle down but the one in there now doesn't seem to be growing at all. Perhaps not enough food?

Well, I doubt that crabs would do well with my Silus..

[Jase]

Where've you been? In the general forum? I saw your picture. I can't believe you're really a teenager. I thought you were pulling my leg. I may have to adopt you.

should I go into hiding?