Sand / Fine Gravel

[Nick_Giles]

Hi 'peoples'

I presently have ordinary gravel in my 220 litre tank.

I am considering changing it for sand or very fine gravel. If I do so what is the best method of keeping it clean.? I would imaging that if I use a gravel type syphon cleaner I would just end up with a bucket of watery sand out of the tank. LOL

Also is there any issues that I should be aware of by using white coral sand / fine gravel in a freshwater aquarium.?


Many thanks in advance. Nick

 

[BadBadger]

I just use a syphon cleaner matey and i get a bit of sand coming through but not much.
And i havent had any issues since using sand but i dont know if coral sand is any different

 

[Twinklecaz]

One thing I wish I knew......be prepared for your sand to always look dirty if you have piggy fish like me. I know mine does anyway. You can see everything!

and yeah you will get the sand sucked up but you can just top it up again.

 

[Nick_Giles]

Thanks for the prompt replies folks.

Any Ph issues with white coral sand.? .......... Anybody.



Nick

 

[Verminator89]

I was recently advised by someone on here to buy Aragonite sand for my tropical cichlid tank, i was always under the impression it was purely marine. Upon getting to my LFS and chatting to one of the guys there he was confused by this suggestion. He too was under the impression Aragonite was purely for marine. Well turns out it isnt exactly just marine. It can be used in your every day tropical tank but you have to be aware it is designed to buffer the water heavily and increase the pH for the obvious care of marine fish and corals, i'm sure he mumbled on about it helps increase the salinity of the water too, marine mumbo jumbo to me So it can be used in an aquarium but it'll naturally bring the pH to around 8.2 (so he says). Generally i was advised against it unless i was sure i knew what i was doing, i don't so i didnt purchase any and opted for Unipac Sand Not wanting to risk my prized fish i opted for the safer option.

Hope this helps.

 

[ajs2294]

Aragonite sand is notorious for bring your pH to the 7.8-8.2 range. Coral sand will also raise your pH as it is full of calcium. If you want a neutral pH sand your pest to get a type of play sand. You can also put some vinegar on the sand to check if it bubbles it will effect the pH. For cleaning if you get cheap sand such as play sand its easiest just to take a tiny bit of the top to keep it looking super clean and new washed sand as necessary. Evey now and then its also good to turn off filters and stir your sand a bit just to release any gas build up

 

[Ryefish]

i clean my sand with a syphon too. You just hover the syhon over the top of the sand or make slight circular motions and the dirt should come right up. The dirt is an issue though, as mentioned about. You can see shrimp poop all over my tank, even after a cleaning lol

 

[PDSimon]

i clean my sand with a syphon too. You just hover the syhon over the top of the sand or make slight circular motions and the dirt should come right up. The dirt is an issue though, as mentioned about. You can see shrimp poop all over my tank, even after a cleaning lol

I had the same problem with my amano shrimp, they make more mess than they clean imo! atleast on sand... more filtration fixes the problem

 

[Twinklecaz]

What, of poop everywhere?

 

[Verminator89]

Nick_Giles - Get yourself down your local Tesco and ask for x2 bags of play sand. They sell it 2 for £4, that'll get you plenty of sand to cover the base of your tank and you won't have to worry about it affecting your pH It does look a little bright in an aquarium is the only draw back IMO, but it does the trick. I just bought some for one of my tanks

EDIT: Thats assuming your in the UK