A Few Sand Related Questions

[PoseidonSB]

I just got some sand and put it in my tank lol, and I think i might have over done it, but i figure I'd rather have too much that too little, I don't have any fish in it so it's not a big deal anyway.
but my questions are this? how many inches of sand should i have in the tank? I plan to put plants in it in the near future but not straight away,
And also I have read on other forums that Malaysian Trumpet Snails or MTS for short are good for sifting through the tank, but are these available in Ireland? or is there any other snails that will do the same job?

thank you

 

[Caprichoso]

The MTS do the best job and mainly stay in or on the gravel, which is why people like them. In my planted tank, I have about 3 inches of substrate in the back and it slowly tapers off closer to the front where I have about 1.5 inches. It doesn't need to be any deeper than that.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

I wouldn't suggest anymore than 3 inches, otherwise it may develop anaerobic spots, and you don;t really need 3 inches at the front, if you have put too much in, just use a siphon to suck it out

 

[StandbySetting]

Anaerobic spots are nothing to worry about anyway, the Hydrogen Sulphide that is produced during the process is instantly oxidized on contact with water to create harmless sulphur dioxide and water.

 

[mishka83]

I also have a couple of questions; does the sand get sucked into the outlet pipe for the external filter, or do you just keep it higher up, away from the sand?

Also, how do you use a gravel cleaner? Doesn't it just suck all the sand up? How do you keep it clean?

 

[PoseidonSB]

I'm sure more experienced users will be along, but from what i read you keep the inlet pipe out of reach of being sucked up,
and also the dirt and old food sits on the sand so you just hold the gravel cleaner over sand until the dirt gets sucked up,

 

[mishka83]

Guess that makes sense

Knowing me i'd end up sucking up half of the sand lol.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Anaerobic spots are nothing to worry about anyway, the Hydrogen Sulphide that is produced during the process is instantly oxidized on contact with water to create harmless sulphur dioxide and water.

The only thing is that with regards to the anaerobic spots, the fact that they turn black is an issue to me, so it doesn't look too pretty

Guess that makes sense

Knowing me i'd end up sucking up half of the sand lol.

I took the big siphon end off my gravel cleaner and just use the hose part, this way you don;t suck up too much sand if you go a bit low