Filter Floss

[Bojangles]

Can i just put it between the pads in my fluval 2+?

My water has become really cloudy since i started using sand in my tank

 

[LauraFrog]

If you want to clarify water that's gone like that because of sand particles, try a piece of pantyhose fitted over one of the pads or over the filter intake. Worked for me

I'd think putting it between the pads would work. It's darn expensive though... if you don't want to be ripped off go to a craft store and buy the teddy bear stuffing. It's practically identical, it just doesn't have pretty pictures of neons printed on the front of the packet. (I've used it for over two years in every tank I own, it works just as well as the commercial stuff and I've never had a contaminant issue.)

 

[Rooster]

Can i just put it between the pads in my fluval 2+?

My water has become really cloudy since i started using sand in my tank

This is because you didnt rinse it properly !
Rather than clog your filter, I would do some big water changes... or remove the sand and wash it again.

 

[Bojangles]

Can i just put it between the pads in my fluval 2+?

My water has become really cloudy since i started using sand in my tank

This is because you didnt rinse it properly !
Rather than clog your filter, I would do some big water changes... or remove the sand and wash it again.

Sand has been in the tank over a week

I just want to remove the sand particles that happen after a water change

 

[Rooster]

As the politicians say "can I refer you to my previous statement"

Sand should not cloud the water AT ALL... I can stir the sand in my tanks, and it just settles again after maybe 5 seconds.

 

[GatorJ]

if i may threadjack for just a quick second, what are the advatages of running sand? if any and do you still vaccum it the same? ie the rocks fall to the bottom of the tube wont sand just get sucked up ? thanks

 

[Rooster]

if i may threadjack for just a quick second, what are the advatages of running sand? if any and do you still vaccum it the same? ie the rocks fall to the bottom of the tube wont sand just get sucked up ? thanks

I think it looks better, its cheaper than gravel and easier to clean... all the errr, muck, stays on the surface - so is easier to remove.
I clean mine with a plain old syphon... hovering over the surface about an inch - its a knack, but you will crack it in a few seconds !
Sometimes the sand DOES get sucked up, but a thumb on the other end of the pipe halts its progress, and it falls out again

 

[GatorJ]

wow thats awesome, i never thought of using sand on a freshwater tank.....

does it have to be special sand? ie i live in florida and have access to beautiful sand. and is there benifical reason out of curiosity.

 

[LauraFrog]

Well I hauled mine out of the creek and spent hours, and I mean hours, preparing it. I put it through sieves - used a very coarse one to remove all the big particles and threw those. Then I used a very fine one to remove all the really fine (less than 1/2mm) stuff. Then I washed it to get rid of all the dust. You half fill a bucket with sand, then turn a hose on and put the hose in it. Let the bucket overflow and all the rubbish will run off. I might do a vid, showing how to run the hose through it all to clean it.

 

[OldMan47]

If you are thinking of using beach sand, don't even think about it. The beach sand in many places is mostly broken bits of old shells that have been rounded by long exposure to the waves and the currents. The trouble is that the calcium carbonate that makes up most of a shell will drive your pH through the roof. What you want is sand that started life as stones. There are lots of good sources for sand but the beach isn't one of them.

 

[petertr]

Many people here have been advising of Argos' Play Sand. Very cheap, apparently.

I've had sand in the past, but prefer gravel.

 

[GatorJ]

If you are thinking of using beach sand, don't even think about it. The beach sand in many places is mostly broken bits of old shells that have been rounded by long exposure to the waves and the currents. The trouble is that the calcium carbonate that makes up most of a shell will drive your pH through the roof. What you want is sand that started life as stones. There are lots of good sources for sand but the beach isn't one of them.

makes sense, i do see what your saying. what about real fine sand though, where as shell and other things arnt broke up into it (well best i can tell) we have some really good sand here, but if it will still drive the ph then ya not worth it.