ok, ive had blue and white gravel for a LONG time now(haha i was a kid when i got it) and im 15 now, and I absolutely love the way sand looks. i have a couple concerns that would be greatly appreciated answered. one, can plecos and bottom feeders still live if theres sand?? can i change it out today if i do a partial water removal and jsut remove all the plants and and decor and dump the sand in, but will it cause it to cloud the water?and 3, how in the world do you clean sand? i use a gravel vaccum thing, but thats for gravel, so how do you clean it? haha lot of questions but thanks for answering in advance!!
Sand Questions, Going To The Pet Store In 20 Min! Help!
- Thread starter tayman912
- Start date
dizzied
Fish Addict
1. Most bottom feeders seem to prefer sand actually.
2. It will cloud the water. Harmless to fish, just unsightly.
3. "Hover" the vac just above the sand (1cm or so) and make circular motions with it. This will eddy up the debris into the vac.
2. It will cloud the water. Harmless to fish, just unsightly.
3. "Hover" the vac just above the sand (1cm or so) and make circular motions with it. This will eddy up the debris into the vac.
is it safe to do change gravel to sand today when i get back? and how long will it cloud the water approximately? and thanks for the answers!
dizzied
Fish Addict
Should be safe, unless you're running an undergravel filter.
When I add sand, it usually clouds for around half a day or so, but I've heard people who've had cloudiness for several days. Wash the sand before you put it in, you'll get rid off more of the loose particles and it'd cloud less.
When I add sand, it usually clouds for around half a day or so, but I've heard people who've had cloudiness for several days. Wash the sand before you put it in, you'll get rid off more of the loose particles and it'd cloud less.
ok cool! and i have an in water filter that sits on the top and does the waterfall thing.
JamieBailie
Fish Crazy
Remember to rinse the sand LOTS, This will stop/reduce the water going cloudy.
does that mean by putting in a bucket and rinsing it off? and also, what is the exact name for this kind of sand for freshwater tanks?
JamieBailie
Fish Crazy
Hi, Im not sure on the name, I just picked the sand I liked the most.
The way I rinsed my sand was like this: I have a spare 2 foot tank,
I put all the sand into the tank in my garden
I used the hose to put some water in the tank
I used my hands to swirl it about for a minute or so
I tipped the tank up to pour out the water
I put more water in the tank
I swirled it again
I poured the water out
And repeated that for maybe 10 times untill the water I was pouring out was crystal clear
Of course if you don't have a spare tank to do it that way, A CLEAN (Preferably new) bucket will do fine, Alough may take longer because you can't wash as much sand at once.
The way I rinsed my sand was like this: I have a spare 2 foot tank,
I put all the sand into the tank in my garden
I used the hose to put some water in the tank
I used my hands to swirl it about for a minute or so
I tipped the tank up to pour out the water
I put more water in the tank
I swirled it again
I poured the water out
And repeated that for maybe 10 times untill the water I was pouring out was crystal clear
Of course if you don't have a spare tank to do it that way, A CLEAN (Preferably new) bucket will do fine, Alough may take longer because you can't wash as much sand at once.
dizzied
Fish Addict
A lot of sand sold for aquarium purposes raises PH, so you should check the labeling. Most people seem to use just playsand though, which is usually safe and very cheap to boot.
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