Sand...easy or not??

[MBfan465]

I was wondering if sand was entirely more difficult regarding cleaning and such?? I like the way sand looks in aquariums, and wouldn't mind using it if it wasnt too hard to clean???

 

[digital_run]

I have tanks that are gravel and sand....and it has to be sand all the way...Looks so much better and unlike gravel fish poo/left over food is easily visible whereas with gravel you cant really tell how dirty it is until you shift it around...But if you have a messy fish like plecs it can be annoying and an eye-sore unless your ready to do almost daily vacs. Sand is no harder to clean/maintain then gravel and you'll be happy once youve done it. HIH

 

[MBfan465]

What kind of sand to you buy, and how do you go about cleaning it when you fist purchase it. (Kinda Messy?!?) I just know how sand is, and I was afraid you might suck up too much with a gravel vac. Or if you have to do 100% water change per say, might get kinda messy. (Wet Sand=mess) Thanks for your help!

 

[One_Trick_Pony]

yeah i would also be interested in changin if not to expensivce as i belive plants will grow better in sand then gravel

 

[rich]

My LFS gave me aquarium sand. Was quite expensive, but seemed the best option.

I always end up vacuuming a bit of sand into the bucket with the poo, so will eventually have to top up.

 

[Dubby]

What kind of sand to you buy, and how do you go about cleaning it when you fist purchase it. (Kinda Messy?!?)

Simple play pit sand works just fine!!!

Before putting it in the tank clean it by putting it into a bucket and keep it under running water. Keep stirring the sand until you see the water clearing up.

 

[Raechal]

You can go to Walmart and they sell white play sand in the gardening section. I believe it is like $1.67 for a 40 pound bag. How large is the tank you're filling up? Remember you'll end up having "less" sand because when it is wet it isn't as much as when it is dry. I guess it compacts or something. I bought 4-5 bags for my 120 gallon and it seemed enough, although I might be getting another bag or two.

To clean it, I basically went outside with buckets and filled the buckets with a bag of sand and let the hose run in it for awhile. Then I would twirl my hands throughout the sand to get it all clean. Then I would pour the water out and repeat about 3-4 times each bucket or until the water became clear. I had like 3 people helping me so it went a lot faster. It usually takes awhile.

Then you can just dump it in your tank (without water) Make sure you put the sand in FIRST. Then get like a large bowl and place it in the tank and fill up your tank by pouring water slowly into the bowl so it trickles out onto the sand and doesn't swoosh it everywhere. This will keep your water clear for the most part. Then just remove the bowl when you're finished.

I usually do a vacuum everyother day just because I JUST added my fish to the 120 gallon and there are only about 10 fish in it as of now with only 2 bottom feeders and some of the flakes fall to the sandy floor and the fish are so excited exploring their new surroundings I guess they don't have time to clean the sand. So I have to do it. But I am getting about 30-50 ghost shrimp today to help me out a bit. Those little buggers pick up anything that is on the sand!

 

[dartos]

I already have gravel in the bottom of my tank, so I was wondering if anyone has added their sand after adding gravel. It has no fish yet and I will be starting fishless cycling soon (probably tomorrow). I realize this might get a bit messy but I think it will be worth it.

Also, do you need to add dechlorinator after washing the sand, and if so is it best to add the dechlorinator directly to the sand, or add it to the tank after all the sand has been added?

 

[Dubby]

I switched over to sand from gravel in an established tank. I did the change in sections so that the tank wouldnt cycle again (and also not to freak the fish). I used pieces of slate to cordon off the gravel from the sandy parts.

To answer your other question, the dechlor can be added to the tank after its been filled.