New Tank Setup Boring Questions.

[snazy]

Hi all,

I am setting up a new tank, for which I have another thread open(cycling with tetra safestart). But before I can go ahead I need a few things and I am not sure what to get.

1) Substrate-Sand

I want sand, that is cheap enough for about 100G/400 litres tank.
I was looking at the Argos play sand, which is like 3.50 for a 25kg bag, but read somewhere it is too messy, stirres up easily and can damage the filter. I have never used sand so I would appreciate your opinion.

Then another cheap option is pool filter sand, which is coarser and heavier and is supposed to be easier to maintain. However, I am still to find this one around where I live.

Third option is 25kg white/greyish sand from the LFS. Is that enough for this size of tank?

The sand is for my 6 cories and a pleco, and another peru green stripe cories will be added in the future.

2)Filter-External

Has anyone used the All Pond Solutions external filters with UV sterilizer?

3)Air Pump

Any recommendations? Is Tetratec APS400 sufficient for this size or should I get a couple?

 

[mike455555]

iv only had experience with argos play sand. its fine just as long as you wash it

half fill bucket with sand
run water into bucket
stir sand
let it settle for about 30 secs
empty bucket of water. (the heavyer bits of sand will sick faster)

repeat until water runs clear

you can also decrease the time from 30 secs to about 10, after the first few washes
also if you use 2 buckets you can get it done in half the time... instead of waiting for 1 to settle the other buckets filling

 

[snazy]

Thanks Mike.

I'll be needing some fun setting this tank up. . How much sand for a footprint of 47.2(4ft)x 18.8 ihcn(120cmx48cm)

Does it get disturbed easily at water changes or anything, or have I been reading the wrong info?

Am I right to guess that it will be good for corydoras, as it is a finer sand, or a bit coarser will have the same effect?

 

[mike455555]

i think any sand will be fine with corys (but i dont know much about them never kept them) i used 1 15kg bag of argos play sand on my 2f tank so 2-3? should do it?

mines not been disturbed in water changes i suck a little up but nothing major and i use a 1100lph pump to get the water back into the tank... but i also put a glass in the bottom. so far no disturbance. (there are no fish in this tank at the moment though)

hope this helped a little

 

[snazy]

but i also put a glass in the bottom

Sorry to bother you again Mike, what do you mean by putting a glass at the bottom?
I am thinking of getting one of those aqueon gravel siphon water changers that you run to your sink as I am getting lazy carrying buckets around

 

[mike455555]

ohh when im putting my water back in i put a drinking glass in the bottom of the tank so the sand doesn't get disturbed by the rush of water

ohh cool iv gota run water in buckets to mine... there both upstairs and only taps downstairs

 

[snazy]

Mmm, I would have never thought of that. Great idea with the glass

Carrying buckets upstairs

 

[mike455555]

yer tell me about the buckets up the stairs ...

i saw the glass tip somewhere it works well without it my sand would be everywhere (1100LPH pumps are powerful.. doesnt take long to drain the bucket)