Gravel To Sand

[Truck]

yep...i use toysrus...better than argos IMO theres no silt

 

[razer121]

i use argos sand but that because its the only sand i can get my hands on.....although i can get proper sand for an aquarium the argos sand is a much nicer colour, compared to the dull colour of "offical" aquarium sand...can i see a photo of your tank with the toys r us sand? whats silt? ive heard it before but never really learnt what it is lol

btw 3ndl3r i really like what you have done with your tank, ive got hold of some slate like stuff, is yours natural?

 

[Truck]

i use argos sand but that because its the only sand i can get my hands on.....although i can get proper sand for an aquarium the argos sand is a much nicer colour, compared to the dull colour of "offical" aquarium sand...can i see a photo of your tank with the toys r us sand? whats silt? ive heard it before but never really learnt what it is lol

btw 3ndl3r i really like what you have done with your tank, ive got hold of some slate like stuff, is yours natural?

the silt is like a fine powdered sand that takesa while to settle


this is my tank at a week old with toysrus sand:

 

[razer121]

hm maybe thats what i still have floating in my tank then lol does it look like tiny little white specs?? cannot get rid of it! btw, i like your rocks are they real???

 

[Truck]

hm maybe thats what i still have floating in my tank then lol does it look like tiny little white specs?? cannot get rid of it! btw, i like your rocks are they real???

yeah theyre real...got them from aqua essentials for £12 and thats only half of what i ordered lol

 

[philak]

I've seen lots of tanks with sand in that appear to have a base substrate under it, including some pictured in this thread.

Firstly, what is the base layer? Clay?
Secondly, do you use it for planting in and if so, is that it's only use or is it for giving contours too?

Cheers

 

[Truck]

I've seen lots of tanks with sand in that appear to have a base substrate under it, including some pictured in this thread.

Firstly, what is the base layer? Clay?
Secondly, do you use it for planting in and if so, is that it's only use or is it for giving contours too?

Cheers

you cant see the clay in my tank but its there...i use two grades of sand...gritty and then fine on top.
i plant into the sand and then the roots grow into the clay, i used the sand for contours

 

[tez2k007]

If I am going to be adding plants to the sand then do I need something else under the sand. Figured i could just plant them in the sand.

 

[Truck]

If I am going to be adding plants to the sand then do I need something else under the sand. Figured i could just plant them in the sand.

adding some clay cat litter under neath the sand will bind nutrients from the water column and release them slowly over time to the roots.
id say its beneficial

 

[tez2k007]

If I am going to be adding plants to the sand then do I need something else under the sand. Figured i could just plant them in the sand.

adding some clay cat litter under neath the sand will bind nutrients from the water column and release them slowly over time to the roots.
id say its beneficial

Fair enough might have a look tomorrow. Will be putting this toys r us sand in tomorrow when tank comes. Got 2 bags of it. Did you say it does not require cleaning or should I clean it just to be safe. It does say on the bags that already clean.

 

[Truck]

If I am going to be adding plants to the sand then do I need something else under the sand. Figured i could just plant them in the sand.

adding some clay cat litter under neath the sand will bind nutrients from the water column and release them slowly over time to the roots.
id say its beneficial

Fair enough might have a look tomorrow. Will be putting this toys r us sand in tomorrow when tank comes. Got 2 bags of it. Did you say it does not require cleaning or should I clean it just to be safe. It does say on the bags that already clean.

ive never washed it and my fish have been fine and it has never clouded

 

[tez2k007]

If I am going to be adding plants to the sand then do I need something else under the sand. Figured i could just plant them in the sand.

adding some clay cat litter under neath the sand will bind nutrients from the water column and release them slowly over time to the roots.
id say its beneficial

Fair enough might have a look tomorrow. Will be putting this toys r us sand in tomorrow when tank comes. Got 2 bags of it. Did you say it does not require cleaning or should I clean it just to be safe. It does say on the bags that already clean.

ive never washed it and my fish have been fine and it has never clouded

Ok sounds like will save me a job then. Cheers mate you have been a big help last few days.

 

[razer121]

make sure you show us a pic when youve added the sand! im intrested in seeing

 

[3ndl3r]

james, how many bags of argos play sand did you buy for your agaurium?? looks very nice what fish are you gonna keep in there?

Just under 2x 25KG bags. Thankyou Im going to be keeping Mbuna Cichlids

btw 3ndl3r i really like what you have done with your tank, ive got hold of some slate like stuff, is yours natural?

Thanks Yes mine is natural slate. Weighs a ton haha!

James