Sand Cleaning

[brian1]

How do you guy's go about cleaning a sand substrata, it's ok on the top for now but am getting a dark line half an inch down, I have a vac but it's no good on sand.........thanks

 

[raptorrex]

How do you guy's go about cleaning a sand substrata, it's ok on the top for now but am getting a dark line half an inch down, I have a vac but it's no good on sand.........thanks

if you have a wide bore vac. it's possible to dig quite deep, and loose little sand. (practice is needed though)
however I found running something around the inside of the tank, between the glass and the sand, solved this problem.

 

[brian1]

How do you guy's go about cleaning a sand substrata, it's ok on the top for now but am getting a dark line half an inch down, I have a vac but it's no good on sand.........thanks

if you have a wide bore vac. it's possible to dig quite deep, and loose little sand. (practice is needed though)
however I found running something around the inside of the tank, between the glass and the sand, solved this problem.

So the dark line is not under all the sand then, its just up to the glass? I do have a wide bore vac.......

 

[Aquascaper]

Depending on how deep (and compacted) the sand is it may be the division where anaerobic bacteria are starting to form.....this has both positive and negative effects and researching 'deep sand beds' will give you more information.

To remove just run fingers, planting prong, etc. Through the sand periodically to prevent the anaerobic conditions from forming.

 

[raptorrex]

How do you guy's go about cleaning a sand substrata, it's ok on the top for now but am getting a dark line half an inch down, I have a vac but it's no good on sand.........thanks

if you have a wide bore vac. it's possible to dig quite deep, and loose little sand. (practice is needed though)
however I found running something around the inside of the tank, between the glass and the sand, solved this problem.

So the dark line is not under all the sand then, its just up to the glass? I do have a wide bore vac.......

well, that's what it turned out to be, in my case!
I had to clean it every so often.

 

[bikerfish]

Hi I use this to clean my sand and it is brilliant , Aquarium power cleaner by Algarde , pets at home £5.99 , hope this helps and it doesnt brake the bank
cathy

 

[tata]

In your opinion what is harder to clean, black or white sand?

I am still deciding if I will go with pool sand or flourite black sand.

 

[bikerfish]

Hi I would have thought black sand is harder but only because it might be harder to see fish waste and other bits of debrie but only because sand is dark but thats only reason , I might be wrong as I have just normal colour sand in my tank so it shows any bits that need to be cleaned up . The Algarde cleaner also collects waste in a bag while the water goes back in tank so great for a clean in week if not due water change and very quick , I love this bit of kit
cathy

 

[brian1]

Thanks all for your help,looks much better now after wc, I did run my fingers through it and went down by the glass and sand, all looking good....