Got my first tank with gravel and just getting the hang of water changes, gravel vacuuming etc.

I was just wondering how people clean a tank that uses sand instead of gravel as a substrate?

Many thanks.

This post has been edited by Le Sorcier: Nov 2 2007, 09:38 PM

I run all my tanks with sand at the moment. To clean the sand, a stir it a few hours before filter maintanance, letting the filter remove the crap for me, then I clean the filter. You can also use a gravel vacume, if you reduce the flow out of the drainage pipe. Too faster flow, and the sand ends up in the bucket/drain
HTH
rabbut

Thanks Rabbut,

I think maybe sand looks better than gravel. If I get a second tank I think I may go for sand.

No problem. Just remember to wash well first, as the stuff has a tendency to cloud the water if not thurghly washed.

HTH
rabbut

How do you wash the sand first without losing it before putting it in the tank? I know...stupid question lol

It is difficult - you use some tights or something

I tend to half fill a bucket with sand and then stick it under the tap and run the cold water and let it overflow then stir the sand up in the bucket so all the crap floats out. You will lose some sand

I wash it in small batches, in a dishpan, under running water. It takes a while to do, but the result is worth it. As the sand swirls around, the silt rises to the top and flows away. Then after letting it settle for a minute or two, I spill the water off and repeat the process.

Remember that you don't want the sand to be very deep. A half inch to and inch will do nicely.