Cleaning A Densley Planted Aquarium

[nanoMama86]

I have a very shallow sand bed in my 100 gallon tank, and when I see black sand, I make my husband come and stir it up for me because I have literally passed out from the sulfurous stench that was unleashed. My fish will all dart to one side of the tank and stay stay there there til it has abated. But, mind you, I have a huge cave system permanently installed in my tank and so that makes it hard to get sand movement even for my mts.

 

[trianglekitty]

Okay...that sounds really unattractive. Does this commonly happen (the sand turning black and stinking?), and how do you fix it when it does? I'm rethinking switching to sand now...I'm very sensitive to odor, and if I smelled that I would probably vomit.

I've usually found that sand only turns black when it's under, say, a big decoration or rock that I haven't moved for ages. But, I have cories and they nuzzle the sand about just fine, plus plant roots help too. If you;re really, really bothered (although there's no need) you can stir the sand about with a spoon or stick or whatever whenever you change water. It's really not a big issue.

I do have cories, but I thought in general sand was supposed to be cleaner and require less maintenance overall?

 

[fluttermoth]

Yes, it does. The only problem arises from being able to see the poo, rather than it sinking into the gravel unnoticed. I, personally consider this a good thing rather than bad, even if it means youhave to clean and water change more often.

 

[trianglekitty]

Yes, it does. The only problem arises from being able to see the poo, rather than it sinking into the gravel unnoticed. I, personally consider this a good thing rather than bad, even if it means youhave to clean and water change more often.

So if it requires more frequent water changes, can possibly turn black and stink if you don't stir it or can generate poisonous gas...how exactly is it lower maintenance and cleaner? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm just honestly a little confused. I'm not seeing the benefits over gravel other than being better for the cory cats (which honestly is probably enough of a reason to make the switch, I just don't get why people rave over sand)

 

[KISSfn]

I started out with gravel and switched to sand. With gravel I couldn't see the nasties but when I vac'd every week I had to do every square inch because the gravel held so much unseen waste which became visible upon vacuuming. With sand and a Koralia the waste gets pushed to my filter intakes where it gets removed by my filters. Much less to vac up. I do not have to do more frequent water changes. I think sand generating poison gas is an exaggeration at best. I think the sand has to be fairly deep, the gas isn't poisonous and it's a very rare occurence. I've had sand for months and have yet to see any gas release or smell any foul smell. Usually when I do it's one of my dogs!

 

[smokeyjo]

Sand is very low maintenance than gravel when I got my new tank it had gravel in and the guy I got it off didn't have a gravel vaccum and I had to help empty the tank so I could have it and the mess in the gravel was unbeliveable the gravel was a light sandy colour but the lower half of the gravel was black when all the gunk and poo had built up at least with sand it sits on top if the flow doesn't take it to the filter so I just suck it all up with a pipe when I do my weekly water change plus it does look better than gravel too

 

[Mowbz]

Thanks guys, i already have a gravel filter but the nozel is detatchable so i can remove it and it will just be a tube, im guessing that will do, thanks for the help

Follow up question to the OP's, as I'm switching to sand- I understand you need to stir the sand to avoid gas pockets. What's the best way to do this if the tank is densely planted?

Manual agitation of the sand isnt necessary. "Some" claim the gas pockets that build up in sand are toxic to fish. There isnt any evidence to support it. Most experienced aquarists will tell you its a form of Hydrogen and Sulphur, the result of anaerobic breakdown of waste. (Rotting without oxygen, basically)

It stinks like rotton eggs and will turn your sand black where it happens, but its not harmful to your fish.

Okay...that sounds really unattractive. Does this commonly happen (the sand turning black and stinking?), and how do you fix it when it does? I'm rethinking switching to sand now...I'm very sensitive to odor, and if I smelled that I would probably vomit.

It is quite common yes, especially under ornaments that dont move often (my fish rearrange bits of their tank themselves, so it dont see it much). You'll find when something has been sat for a few months the sand under it may have turned black and may smell a bit.

If you push the sand about and spread it out it will go back to its normal colour after a few hours/days. For the pro's of having sand, i dont think its a bad trade off against gravel, which is just a pain (in my opinion).

HTH