Sand

[sted]

hi i am thinking of changing my substance to sand what are peoples advice? pros? cons?

how do you clean it?

filters?

plants?

plecos? ( moving it around? )

advice would be amazing thanks

 

[Twinklecaz]

Cons:

1: You can see ALL the poo/dirt.

2: It can get in your filter motor if you're not very careful

3: You'll have to put more in every now and then coz you can't help by syphon it up when cleaning.

4: It can collect harmful gasses so you have to make sure you "stir" it every now and then.

5: I don't think it holds plants so well.

Pros:

1: You can see ALL the poo/dirt (so easier to make sure it's clean).

2: It probably works out cheaper if you get Argos Play Sand or similar

3: 100% best thing for Corys/Catfish. Gravel can hurt their barbles.

4: When kept clean it looks better IMO.

5: You don't need so much of it so it takes up less height.

 

[sted]

thanks any one else?

 

[fluffycabbage]

hi i am thinking of changing my substance to sand what are peoples advice? pros? cons?

how do you clean it?

filters?

plants?

plecos? ( moving it around? )

advice would be amazing thanks

Ive just started keeping fish, and quickly changed from gravel to sand as i have corys, and i also think it looks better.
i clean it by syphoning the top layer (very easy,you can see everything. i give it a little swish around too after cleaning the top. The internal filters i currently use are stuck on the sides near the top of the tank, so the inlet isnt on the bottom. just make sure when you stir up the sand you dont do it too much! My plants have rooted very well in the sand tanks - didnt at all in the gravel, but other people have a lot of success with gravel. I think if you have a layer of good quality substrate under the sand at root level, then that gives plants the best chance.

 

[jacko32]

splash out and buy black it looks a lot better

 

[Twinklecaz]

Yeah if I ever get an opportunity to change mine (without hassle) then I'm gonna change to black sand. Best of both worlds then isn't it.

 

[jacko32]

Yeah if I ever get an opportunity to change mine (without hassle) then I'm gonna change to black sand. Best of both worlds then isn't it.

it looks so much cleaner i have black sand in the big tank it looks great then in 1 of the smaller tanks i put play sand which looked great for about 5 minutes now i hate it its always looking dirty

 

[sted]

well anyone got a link to some good black sand?

 

[jacko32]

well anyone got a link to some good black sand?

depends how much you want i used this in my 75 gallon and its great heres the link
http/www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/products-Trilcot-Aquarium-Sand-Black_CA4099.htm

if your looking for a smaller amount theres some great stuff on ebay at the minute

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/Unipac-Limpopo-Black-Aquarium-Sand-12-5kg-/270549561386?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish#ht_500wt_928


http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/15KG-ZAMBEZI-SAND-AQUARIUM-SUBSTRATE-/110539237458?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish#ht_1383wt_1137

 

[Rorie]

Hey, i too am thinking about changing to sand from gravel.

I am a little confused about cleaning though - do i use the same syphon i used for gravel? I gather i move the syphon along the top (but not touching the sand) to suck up the top layer of sand? Does this just clean it and drop it, or will it remove the sand from the tank?

I then gather every now and again i need to disturb the sand to clean it deeper down. Will this not mean that i suck up an awful lot of sand every time i clean?

I am intrigued by the black sand. Has anybody got photos of a tank with black sand so i can see how much better it looks?

 

[jacko32]

my camera doesnt really do it justice

 

[gearhead65]

I found that plants stay put easier in the sand than the gravel. Plus with large gravel, if you have any fry, they can get trapped underneath when they swim under there to hide.

 

[sted]

well i have spent all day changing over and the tank is settling now. will get some before and after pics up soon

 

[Rorie]

well i have spent all day changing over and the tank is settling now. will get some before and after pics up soon

hehe, me too! This must be a sand month! I was worried the water my fish were in was getting cold, but i tested it and it was still hot enough which was fine.

Some of the water that was left in just didnt seem to clear up after the sand settled, so i just took it out and added in some clean water. Turned into a 30% water change which is ok i guess.

I am just away to put the lights on which is exciting Hope my fish like their new home Photos soon

 

[sted]

i got all my fish in a temp tank for the night and then i will put them back in the morning to help the sand settle.

which sand you get?