Sand sand sand!!!

[PereguineFalcon]

Yeah i was planning on unplugging the filter tonight when i get the chance cuz it keeps stirring up what is already in the water making it take longer to settle. I think i am gonna do a water change also cuz i kinda screwed up on the ammonia addition thing...instead of 3 to 4 drops per 10gal i did one tablespoon per 10gal....lol...so yeah, even though i seeded the tank with my existing filter media i think the bacteria are going crazy right now. Thankz for the info on the dojos!

 

[Stryker]

I posted about all my lessons sand learnt in tropical chitchat. Anyways, first of all did you pour your water in on to a plate sitting on the sand? I ask this as mine was not very cloudy at all after filling!

Secondly, I dont stir my sand, I massarge it with my fingers. Big difference there, all the air is got out the sand except my way takes a little longer but does not cloud the tank. I read someone had a better idea, they rake it with a chopstick.

Thirdly, I've not turned off my filter esp as I've done the above and not disturbed the sand much, I'd not want to turn off my filter as the bacteria may suffer.

Hope this helps.

 

[PereguineFalcon]

Yeah i was conserned with shuting off the filter cuz it would deprive the newly established bacteria their oxygen. I did use a plate and a bowl ontop of the plate. Still was pretty cloudy. Added an air pump today to help with the circulation to see if that will help with making it filter out the stuff. I think the problem is that it was playsand from Home Depot and secondly didn't wash it thoroughly enough. I've learned the hard way that taking about half an hour to an hour more to do something often pays off. Thankz for the info! I've heard of using the chopstick before, sounds like it would work. I was actually gonna get a miniture waterproof fan on the end of stick and stick it in the sand then turn it on. lol, that would be great if it could actually be done! Thankz for the input!

 

[nightlife20]

if ur leaning towarads the larger catfish, iv got two hoplos they grow to around 6-8 inches i think?? not sure.. anyways these two love the sand.. they act much like cories by snuffling around in it