Sand Ontop Of Gravel

[mrscullen5373]

Hi everyone!

Just a quick question. I had sand in my new tank first and due to gas pockets lost 20 fish overnight from a massive ammonia spike. After advice from a friend o switched to gravel but find the vaccuming a massive pain plus I am looking to get some poached soon so (after much research) have decided to switch back to sand again. However, I do not want to have to worry about the same thing happening again with sand. Several people have recommended to me to use gravel and then sand on top. I am coming around to this idea. But how would you do it so that the sand doesn't sink below the gravel?

Thanks any help at all is appreciated greatly! x x x

 

[soybean]

The sand and gravel will mix eventually.

If you want to avoid gas pockets (are you SURE that's what killed 20 fish?!) just give the sand a wee stir over say once a week, and unless you're growing plants there's no need to have a very thick layer of it.

 

[Mowbz]

Gas pockets didnt kill your fish. The disgusting egg smelling gas is a form of Sulphur (Hydrogen Sulfide/Sulphate, cant remember) and is harmless to fish.

I would start taking a serious look at what destroyed a population that big.

And as for the sand, there was a thread yesterday on the same subject. Unfortunately, it wont work, the gravel will always make its way back to the top unless it tiny gravel (less than 2mm a peice) and will compact to stop sand falling through. Even with this, some will still end up on top.

 

[mrscullen5373]

Thanks for quick replies. I am pretty sure it was something in the sand that killed them, they all died in the same position. All I know is I was in hospital for 5 days and so I didn't get to 'stir' the sand. When I came back, late evening my fish were all fine, infact they looked really good, my cichlids were even showing breeding behaviour. But saw lots if blackish dirt inbetween the sand, so stupid me thinking 'the cichlids won't like that if they try to dig a pit' so I got a stick and messed the sand around. A dark brown haze came up from the substrate when i did it and I felt bad in case I had done something wrong. When I went to bed the water seemed to have cleared but when I woke the next morning every single fish was dead.

So I don't want to make any mistakes if I choose sand again. Plus the fact the my health is always on and off good and bad, I have an illness, so I am in and out of hospital still.

What should I do?! Thanks x x x

 

[StandbySetting]

It wont be the sulphur dioxide that killed them (hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to sulphur dioxide on contact with oxygenated water) It could have been ammonia but you must really have neglected the substrate for that to be the case.

There's never any need to stir a sand substrate at all, so I would suggest switching back to sand if you prefer it.

 

[soybean]

It wont be the sulphur dioxide that killed them (hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to sulphur dioxide on contact with oxygenated water) It could have been ammonia but you must really have neglected the substrate for that to be the case.

There's never any need to stir a sand substrate at all, so I would suggest switching back to sand if you prefer it.

+1 - more likely an ammonia spike. If you have fish that disturb the sand that will be enough to turn it over. I never stir mine, the fish do it for me.

 

[mrscullen5373]

Thanks that makes me feel better I think.

What sort of fish are we talking? X x x x

 

[soybean]

Well...any that either live on the bottom or root/dig in the substrate. Corys and loaches, some cichlids, etc.

 

[mrscullen5373]

I was planning to get some kuhlis Loaches again. Would they be good?
Apparently they are avid burrowers! However the ones I already own have never done that in fine gravel. Xx

 

[soybean]

I was planning to get some kuhlis Loaches again. Would they be good?
Apparently they are avid burrowers! However the ones I already own have never done that in fine gravel. Xx

It's not that easy to burrow in gravel, but they would be good in sand.

You'll need a large group else you'll never see them.

 

[Twinklecaz]

I thought the whole stirring sand thing was a myth anyway?

 

[StandbySetting]

It is, as I said earlier, totally unnecessary.

 

[mrscullen5373]

I was planning to get some kuhlis Loaches again. Would they be good?
Apparently they are avid burrowers! However the ones I already own have never done that in fine gravel. Xx

It's not that easy to burrow in gravel, but they would be good in sand.

You'll need a large group else you'll never see them.

How many would you recommend?

 

[Mowbz]

It wont be the sulphur dioxide that killed them (hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to sulphur dioxide on contact with oxygenated water)

Cheers! Forgot which way round it was lol

Kuhli's do better in groups of 5-8 providing you have the tank space.

 

[soybean]

It wont be the sulphur dioxide that killed them (hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to sulphur dioxide on contact with oxygenated water)

Cheers! Forgot which way round it was lol

Kuhli's do better in groups of 5-8 providing you have the tank space.

Id say more than that - at least 8-10, preferably even more.