The Puffer Forum

I was just wantering if it is possible to keep sand in a fresh water tank with a SAP.

Yep, just make sure to stir the sandweekly to prevent anaerobic bubbles from forming (They can potentially wipe out your whole tank)

If the layer of sand is less then 1/2 inch is anaerobic bubbles still possible?

speaking of sand is it possible to convert a gravel bottom tank to sand with out having to recycle the entire tank? I've been thinking of switching my DP to a sand substrate (actually just the gravel bottom mixed in the sand so i don't have to actually remove the gravel, and so that just the top is sand and flat). if so how would be the best way to go about doing it?

If you use less than an inch deep, it is pretty safe. If you can find a more coarse sand, it works better.. try to stay away from sugar-fine sand.

side19, that probably wouldn't work, as every time you clean the gravel the sand would mix in. Then it would pack down, with the sand filling all the open spots, and you'd have anaerobic issues.

You can do it without recycling your tank, just be sure to not do any major filter media cleanings/changes, don't scrub the glass or decorations for a few weeks before and after you swap out the gravel for sand. And for a while afterwords, keep an eye on your parameters just in case, you may have to do an extra water change here or there if you have a mini-cycle.

ok. so i would just switch it all out at once then? i might just stick with the gravel then to be safe. i don't want to risk losing my DPs over something as trivial as aesthetics.

I have gravel in my tank right now and was thinking of switching to sand, but only if the SAP would really enjoy the sand. If it doesnt really matter then it wont be worth it.

SAP's and dwarves don't do any burying so it won't matter to the fish.

Thanks for the advice everyone.
But I think I will just stick with the gravel that I have

thanks and same here. i think i'll do sand for my next tank, hopefully for a Fang's