Can U Use Play Sand?

[raptorrex]

I have used play sand in my new set up with no problems whatsoever. Its a bugger to clean as you spend hours washing the stuff in buckets but sooo much cheaper than aquarium sand and looks cool too! My cichlids love it. Like i say, you must wash it thoroughly by filling a bucket half way with sand, run a hose pipe into the bucket and swish the sand about while the water is flowing. You will get murky, grey water coming off it for ages. Just keep running the water over it and swishing it every now and again. After around 15-20 minutes, turn off the hose and let the sand and water settle. If the water is clear and you can see the sand in the bucket, its done, if not repeat the proces till it is clean. It took 3 buckets of sand for my 180ltr tank. Hope that helps. GRJ

thansk i will definately convert to sand just got to work out how to di now though with the fish still in there

i can give you my method:

first remove about 20% of the water, whilst giving the gravel a good vac, then collect a sieve full of it and rinse it in the tank. continue with this till you have no gravel left. leave the tank to settle. lol the water will look like hell. vac the tank bottom again, taking another 10%. add the sand it two or three lots, allowing the tank to clear after each addition. after the last lot. put back in the tank water you took out at first, leaving the gunk in the bottom of the bucket. let the tank settle and vac again, till the top sand is clean. disgard the water fro,m this vac and top up your tank with fresh dechlorinated water and decorate.

this is the definitive way to do it, but simply the way I do it!

 

[dave1987]

Great sounds like a plan it will give me something to do on the weekend going to need few buckets though lol dont think all my fish woudl be happy in 1

 

[Thirdfloor]

Great sounds like a plan it will give me something to do on the weekend going to need few buckets though lol dont think all my fish woudl be happy in 1

Another method is to bag your fish like they come home from the store and float them in a bucket of water while you do your work. makes it much easier for putting them back in the tank when you are done.

Post up some pics when you are done! We'd love to see!

 

[GRJ]

Great sounds like a plan it will give me something to do on the weekend going to need few buckets though lol dont think all my fish woudl be happy in 1

Another method is to bag your fish like they come home from the store and float them in a bucket of water while you do your work. makes it much easier for putting them back in the tank when you are done.

Post up some pics when you are done! We'd love to see!

I was thinking of the airstone just in case it was going to be a long process, the aeration will help, but bagging them is another idea! GRJ

 

[Thirdfloor]

Great sounds like a plan it will give me something to do on the weekend going to need few buckets though lol dont think all my fish woudl be happy in 1

Another method is to bag your fish like they come home from the store and float them in a bucket of water while you do your work. makes it much easier for putting them back in the tank when you are done.

Post up some pics when you are done! We'd love to see!

I was thinking of the airstone just in case it was going to be a long process, the aeration will help, but bagging them is another idea! GRJ

Yep! Both methods are great! My opinion is that by bagging them you help them keep some personal space like they would have in the tank. Mainly important if you have any agressive or hyperactive fish.

 

[dave1987]

I have used play sand in my new set up with no problems whatsoever. Its a bugger to clean as you spend hours washing the stuff in buckets but sooo much cheaper than aquarium sand and looks cool too! My cichlids love it. Like i say, you must wash it thoroughly by filling a bucket half way with sand, run a hose pipe into the bucket and swish the sand about while the water is flowing. You will get murky, grey water coming off it for ages. Just keep running the water over it and swishing it every now and again. After around 15-20 minutes, turn off the hose and let the sand and water settle. If the water is clear and you can see the sand in the bucket, its done, if not repeat the proces till it is clean. It took 3 buckets of sand for my 180ltr tank. Hope that helps. GRJ

thansk i will definately convert to sand just got to work out how to di now though with the fish still in there

i can give you my method:

first remove about 20% of the water, whilst giving the gravel a good vac, then collect a sieve full of it and rinse it in the tank. continue with this till you have no gravel left. leave the tank to settle. lol the water will look like hell. vac the tank bottom again, taking another 10%. add the sand it two or three lots, allowing the tank to clear after each addition. after the last lot. put back in the tank water you took out at first, leaving the gunk in the bottom of the bucket. let the tank settle and vac again, till the top sand is clean. disgard the water fro,m this vac and top up your tank with fresh dechlorinated water and decorate.

this is the definitive way to do it, but simply the way I do it!

if i was to do it this way woudl i keep the fish in the tank thanks for all the great advice guys

 

[raptorrex]

I have used play sand in my new set up with no problems whatsoever. Its a bugger to clean as you spend hours washing the stuff in buckets but sooo much cheaper than aquarium sand and looks cool too! My cichlids love it. Like i say, you must wash it thoroughly by filling a bucket half way with sand, run a hose pipe into the bucket and swish the sand about while the water is flowing. You will get murky, grey water coming off it for ages. Just keep running the water over it and swishing it every now and again. After around 15-20 minutes, turn off the hose and let the sand and water settle. If the water is clear and you can see the sand in the bucket, its done, if not repeat the proces till it is clean. It took 3 buckets of sand for my 180ltr tank. Hope that helps. GRJ

thansk i will definately convert to sand just got to work out how to di now though with the fish still in there

i can give you my method:

first remove about 20% of the water, whilst giving the gravel a good vac, then collect a sieve full of it and rinse it in the tank. continue with this till you have no gravel left. leave the tank to settle. lol the water will look like hell. vac the tank bottom again, taking another 10%. add the sand it two or three lots, allowing the tank to clear after each addition. after the last lot. put back in the tank water you took out at first, leaving the gunk in the bottom of the bucket. let the tank settle and vac again, till the top sand is clean. disgard the water fro,m this vac and top up your tank with fresh dechlorinated water and decorate.

this is the definitive way to do it, but simply the way I do it!

if i was to do it this way woudl i keep the fish in the tank thanks for all the great advice guys

well with my method i do.