New To Sand

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

I’ve recently changed one of my tanks from gravel to sand. However, how often do I need to poke around in the sand to loosen it up? I’ve been doing weekly hovers of the sand but yesterday I noticed that the sand on top was lovely and golden and the sand underneath is greying (argos play sand if it makes a difference). I know people recommend MTS with sand to help ‘loosen’ it, but are there any other options that I could use instead of MTS (apart from doing it myself of course). I don’t particularly want to get MTS as I have snails in the tank anyway, and there is always plenty of food for them and of course there would be plenty of food for the MTS, plenty food + MTS = babies.

 

[Bazza57]

I’ve recently changed one of my tanks from gravel to sand. However, how often do I need to poke around in the sand to loosen it up? I’ve been doing weekly hovers of the sand but yesterday I noticed that the sand on top was lovely and golden and the sand underneath is greying (argos play sand if it makes a difference). I know people recommend MTS with sand to help ‘loosen’ it, but are there any other options that I could use instead of MTS (apart from doing it myself of course). I don’t particularly want to get MTS as I have snails in the tank anyway, and there is always plenty of food for them and of course there would be plenty of food for the MTS, plenty food + MTS = babies.

Hello dipsydoodlenoodle,

I have kept horse faced loaches (Acanthopsis Choiorhynchus) in the past, they are amazing to watch as they keep the substrate sweet by funnelling sand through the mouth & then out through the gills. It's like having a mini JCB in your tank.
I am not too sure if they would eat your snails though - perhaps someone on this forum has kept horse-face loaches with snails & can advise
Additionally: If you have plants - as long as they are well rooted - they can usually survive an horse-face loach mooching around them.

 

[KittyKat]

Horse faced loaches, khuli loaches, maybe Corys (if your sand bed is not too deep). I do have MTS, but I also do not feed much.. they do seem to have a preference for fish food as opposed to veggies though.

 

[Jamepsss]

I have cories and I sometimes rake the sand to level it out but that's about it.

I'll also clean any muck between the sand and glass with a tooth brush as it bugs me.

 

[jonwhite2k]

I added a few zebra loaches to mine and they wiped out the entire snail population... even my apple snails

I've recently bought some sand from an aquatics, was recommended to give it one wash to get any unwanted bits out. However, after doing this the water is very murky? Even after a few washes. Anyone had this sort of problem?

 

[kevinjames]

I think the problem stems from it being Argos play sand. It's very compact when in the aquarium so only the very top layer is disturbed by the fish. I have used both aquarium sand and Argos sand and think the extra cost of the aquarium sand goes along way as its a lot easier to maintain.


As for disturbing the sand, I use my net handle to rake through my sand once a week while doing my water change.

 

[saltynay]

How thick or deep is the sand?

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

How thick or deep is the sand?

About an inch.

I don't mind doing it by hand; I just wanted to see if there was anything that would help me along

 

[saltynay]

Do you need deep substrate for a reason? 1cm should be sufficient and stops it becoming anaerobic.

 

[SimoUK]

Here is the topic I made, step-by-step of how I did it, you'll find it useful

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/337690-gravel-to-sand-change-how-i-did-it/page__p__2805609&#entry2805609

 

[dipsydoodlenoodle]

Do you need deep substrate for a reason? 1cm should be sufficient and stops it becoming anaerobic.

No reason. Next time I am "in the tank" I'll take some out. I dont think it's an inch, but its closer to an inch than a cm.

Here is the topic I made, step-by-step of how I did it, you'll find it useful

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/337690-gravel-to-sand-change-how-i-did-it/page__p__2805609&#entry2805609

Thank you I'll have a read