How do u clean sand

[fantasy fish]

Well i couldn't find anywhere to put this question so here it is, i am wondering how u would clean the sand in your aquarium. I would like to replace the gravel with sand in my tropical tank, but i don't know how to clean it and if using an undergravel filter would suck it up or would it be ok. Also i clean the gravel with a siphon thing and not sure if it would work with the sand and my mom won't let me get the sand till i know how to clean it so any help is VERY appreciated! I think this is it for now.

Thanks

 

[Annastasia]

I wouldn't use an undergravel filter with sand. Sand can clog up the filter, and then it can be useless.

As for cleaning sand, I use a gravel vaccuum. I hold it about 1/4" above the surface of the sand, and then move it in small circles. That gets most of the debris up.

If you need anymore help, Wolf's topic on sand can be very helpful:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

 

[Bloo]

I second the info given by Annastasia

 

[ncjharris]

Its a bit tricky to get the distance between the sand and the syphon just right that you get the muck but not the sand, but after a few goes, you'll get the hang of it!

Just make sure your sand is well rinsed before you use it to reduce the cloudyness of the water when you add it!

 

[freddyk]

If you vacuum by syphoning into a bucket then just vacuum away. Any sand you pick up can be put back into the tank afterward. If you syphon right to the sink with a python - well, there's a trick for saving the sand with that too.

 

[fantasy fish]

Thank you for helping me out, all my questions where answered and now me and my sis are going to go get some sand at lfs! woohoo. Just wondering but is 11$ a good price for sand?

 

[ncjharris]

$11 per grain = bad

$11 per tonne = good.

Help us out here!

 

[fantasy fish]

i don't know 11$ for a bag, was so happy didn't check how much sand was in it.

 

[ncjharris]

eleven dollars is a fiver in our money - not too bad i suppose, what type is it?

You should avoid builders sand as it may have additives in it.
Usually play sand is the best, avauilable from all good toy stores (and some bad ones too.

 

[Bloo]

Yeah I paid £5 per bag of pre-washed sand in my lfs. Don't know how much it weighed, but the bag was approx 18" x 12". Might seem like a lot, but hey it's pre-washed and lovely !

 

[ncjharris]

Might seem like a lot, but hey it's pre-washed and lovely !

Orange, white, black or even rough, but never heard sand described as 'lovely'!!!!!!!!

 

[Bloo]

Orange, white, black or even rough, but never heard sand described as 'lovely'!!!!!!!!

But absolutely of course ! Lovely & pleasing to the eye. Lovely and hassle free. Just lovely

Should I perhaps have added those adjectives too ?

 

[fantasy fish]

guess it is marine sand and it weighs 15 pounds or 6.8 KG. it says on the bag to rinse only until water changes from milky to cloudy in appearance, but i thought u should rinse till the water runs clear. what should i do? Then it says only for marine aquariums, but i have a tropical is it ok to put the sand in the my tropical tank?

 

[Bloo]

Ah, that would be a definitely no-no I'm afraid. You cannot use marine sand in tropical tanks at all.
If you was it till it's slightly cloudy it's fine - the filter should clear it up within a few hours (but only use sand intended for freshwater tropical tanks).

 

[fantasy fish]

Then what kind of sand could i use? my town only has a wal-mart and a pet center which is where i got the marine sand, would crushed coral work in a tropical? or could i just go out and but sand at a lawn and garden store where they sell sand for gardens? Would that be safe to use with tropical fish. And if i got the crushed coral and if it would work with a tropical could i use an undergravel filter with that?
Omg so confusing