Laterite, Sand and Cleaning

[Jen]

I have had sand in my tank for a year or so now, but with the upgrade in tank, I added a layer of Laterite on the bottom. In the past I have cleaned it like gravel, sticking the syphon in the sand to clean it. I read the instrustions on the box of laterite, and it said to be careful not to disturb it ... I'm assuming thats because the red could leak into the water.

What is the best way to clean sand in a planted tank? Do I need to really get in there and get all the food bits and waste off the sand?

 

[George Farmer]

I don't have personal experience with sand but a friend of mine simply syphons from the sand's surface. The hose is positioned just above the sand, close enough to suck up detritus etc. but not close enough to disturb the sand. This ensures your laterite doesn't become disturbed.

If you plant heavily enough your plants will use up any excess waste etc. as fertiliser so vacuuming will be minimal. One consideration is the compacting of sand over time - the article I sent you explains this in more detail. I personally recommend the use of a heater cable to prevent this and provide other benefits but it's a personal choice obviously.

 

[Jen]

Well, it's too late for the heater now, but I haven't had any problem with sand in my last tank. It didn't compact too much, but I'm sure that the way I was vacuuming had something to do with it. I am hoping to get a few small loaches, so maybe that will help.

And I just replied to your email (finally)
Great article. You should deff. post it here.

 

[dartos]

I was told not to put laterite underneath sand because the sand would supposedly settle underneath the laterite and I would be left with laterite on top or at least mixed throughout the top layer. Have you found this happening in your tank?

I was told to use small clay saucer pots to put my plants in to seperate the laterite from the sand, so I would like to know how your sand is doing.

 

[abstract]

i am only having problems with the laterite coming to the top of the sand in the corner where my rams like to dig...the rest of the tank you only see bits and pieces of laterite on the top and it looks just fine...

the reason for not disturbing it is not due to the red coloration - i really hope you rinsed the laterite very good before using (as the directions state) or else you will have a huge problem with red discoloration - i belive laterite provides the plants with much-needed iron (in addition to a large surface area planting medium) - if you allow this iron to leak out into the water itself, the algae could thrive off of it...if it is on the bottom, only the plants roots can use it...

i'm pretty sure that is what i've read somewhere, so correct me if i'm wrong someone

 

[Jen]

Believe you me, I rinced the heck out of the Laterite. I washed it for like half an hour, and it was still coming out a bit red.

 

[houndour]

I have laterite and sand. I vacuum around my plants once a week...although it's completely pointless as the corys come along and make a mess again! I just do the surface though I catch a tiny bit of sand, but not enough to make much of a difference (well maybe over a few years it would, but i can top up).

I misinterpreted the instructions on the laterite box when I did my tank, and mixed the laterite with all the sand, rather than some of the sand and then covering with sand. So I’ve got some laterite at the surface. It’s had no ill effects so far and my water isn’t red or anything.

I was also advised on a heater cable after I had put everything in! So I don’t have one of these either. My LFS told me that if you see biggish bubbles coming from the substrate it could be a sign of poisonous gasses building up. But I take 5 mins to prod my sand with a bamboo stick every week. I guess this releases any build up before they get toxic? I don’t know. But I see little bubbles come out of the sand.

if you allow this iron to leak out into the water itself, the algae could thrive off of it...if it is on the bottom, only the plants roots can use it...

If you're right about that, then that may be another reason why I have an algae problem (altho by adding fertiliser I seem to be on the road to fixing the algae prob).