Adding Rocks Etc

[aka0019]

I have had my tank filled with water for the past 2 weeks and have some ruby barbs in there. I have now decided that i'm not happy with the scenery and would like to add some sand and rocks. I want to know if it will be ok to do that at this stage as I don't want to mess things up with the water etc?

Also, a have pea sized gravel in the tank but would also like some sandy areas. Is it ok to just add the sand on top of the gravel?

Any help much appreciated.

Andrew

 

[SJ2K]

Yep fine.

 

[Majjie]

I would rinse any rocks well, under the tap, and soak them in a bucket of water for a while before adding them to the tank. And be careful about bashing the rocks against each other or the glass when you add them to the tank ... just imagine two rocks, many times bigger than you, being bashed together within a few feet of you ... to get an impression of what it might be like for the fish ....!

The trouble with using both gravel and sand is that they mix together and the sand will sink to the bottom. Having said that, I do have both sand and gravel in my tank. I'd scoop out the gravel - back to the glass base - in areas where you want sand and then line the area with something - bog wood - or, I've used small pebbles. Then carefully put the sand in your lined area .... after having rinsed it well beforehand. You'll get some sand on the gravel - but that will work it's way in and disappear. The two will get mixed up, though, over a long period ... due to vacuuming etc.

 

[aka0019]

Thanks for both of your replies

 

[jennybugs]

Another thing with rocks/pebbles...if you're not sure if they are suitable for use in your tank, pour some vinegar over them. If they fizz, don't use them Always remember to wash the vinegar off thoroughly before using though

 

[CrashingWaves]

You can just add sand on top of the gravel, but you run the risk of it all mixing together eventually. Which, wouldn't look horrible, just a fair warning. If you add natural rock be sure to rinse them very well, and even put them in boiling water for a minute or two to kill any germs. Before you put them in the tank, make sure to test them so they won't raise the PH. To test simply put a drop of vinegar on the rock. If it rolls off, it will be safe, but if it fizzes, don't put the rock in.

God Bless,
Joshua

 

[ICEEGRL]

I killed a couple of fish by adding sand without removing the fish first. I think they suffocated. The sand made the water so cloudy that I couldn't see the fish for a couple of hours. By the time it cleared up... it was too late.
Just to be on the safe side... you might want to move the fish until everything settles a little bit. (if you are adding very much...) If you are only adding a small amount it should be fine. Just be careful and place it in slow and carefully.

 

[CrashingWaves]

I killed a couple of fish by adding sand without removing the fish first. I think they suffocated. The sand made the water so cloudy that I couldn't see the fish for a couple of hours. By the time it cleared up... it was too late.
Just to be on the safe side... you might want to move the fish until everything settles a little bit. (if you are adding very much...) If you are only adding a small amount it should be fine. Just be careful and place it in slow and carefully.

It seems like no matter how much you rinse the sand, when you put it in the tank it still makes it extremely cloudy.

As another warning I would warn against adding sand with the filter running or even in the tank. I destroyed one of my filters by doing that.


God Bless,
Joshua

 

[vinylman]

This may sound blindingly obvious, but remove some water BEFORE you add any rocks or large stones, just in case the water displacement makes the tank overflow.

 

[Rob.S]

This may sound blindingly obvious, but...............

In my experience, the "blindingly obvious" is the first thing that gets overlooked.