Substrate

[bigdave2009]

Hello everyone,

I just bought a new 55 gallon perfecto aquarium and stand!!! ( i'll post pics soon) This is my first planted tank ever. I am not using CO2, but I do have a nice light (about 2.4 watts per gallon). Any who, I just bought eco complete for my plants and I like it, but I really wanted it to be a sand tank. So can I put sand on top of the eco complete? Will it ruin the eco completes effect of what is it suppose to do? Would it be pointless because the sand is going to mix anyway? Also I really really wanted it to be a white sand tank, but since eco complete is black, I guess I will have to use black sand. I have a lot of corydoras and I think they would realllllly appreciate a nice sand tank. Let me know what I can do about this. THANKS!


Dave

 

[Shrimper]

In my tank i have both Eco-complete and sand but not layered as you want. I've got a clearing at the front of the tank that has the sand on it and eco-complete along the back and sides with the plants in it. Its not been set up very long but they are still quite separate. There are a few stones of eco-complete on top of the sand now but its not too bad and can be swept out the way when you clean the tank.

By the sound of it you have already filled the tank so it might be too late to do this. I'm not sure adding sand on top of existing eco-complete would work so well. I've thrown the empty bags away now but im sure it said something about the smaller particles naturally sinking to the bottom and larger ones rising to the top.

My only tip is if you go for mixing them don't use Roman Gravel brand black sand. This is what I've used and although it looked nice and black in the bag it is distinctly grey compared to the Eco-complete.

 

[rdd1952]

You can do it but the effect will be short lived. I set up my 75 gallon tank that way (couldn't find enough Eco-Complete) with EC on the bottom and Tahitian Moon Sand (great and will stay jet black) on top. But after only a few months, the sand had already started to filter down and I had EC showing on top. Now, almost 3 years later, I can't een see any sand as it has all made it's way down into the EC. As with anything, the larger material will come to the top. The more vibration around the tank, such as that caused when you walk by, the quicker the switch will take place.

Since you have the corys, I would suggest you maybe try something like Shrimper suggested. Move enough EC aside to set up a sandy area. Even that though will begin to mix over time but it should take much longer. Putting a plastic divider may help if you can figure out a way to do it without it showing or leaving a sharp edge.

 

[bigdave2009]

so i added some black sand to the tank ( mind you, it is full of water and there is eco complete in the bottom) BAD IDEA.........SAND CHUNKS FLOATING EVERY WHERE AND MY FILTER KEEPS CLOGGING, I HAVE TO RESTART THE CYCLE!!!! IAM SO MAD!

*side note, DONT MIX ECO COMPLETE AND SAND

 

[rdd1952]

Sorry you are having problems. What type sand did you use? The Tahitian Moon Sand usually settles straight to the bottom. But as a rule, you are correct that sand and gravel don't mix unless the sand is on the bottom. Also, adding sand to an already filled tank doesn't work well either unless the sand is 100% clean so that it settles straight to the bottom

 

[TammyLiz]

A good way to add sand to an already filled tank is to wash the sand, and lower it to the bottom of the tank in a cup and carefully pour it out shaking it around as little as possible. Lowering the water level while you do this can help a little since you won't have as much of a distance to take the cup underwater to the bottom.

I have done this before without any problems. I suspect the floating pieces you're talking about getting into the filter are either sand particles suspended in the water because you were pouring them from the top, or something else that was in the sand because it was poor quality and/or not washed properly.

Don't throw your filter media away. Just rinse it and you may still be able to save the cycle from starting over. Small ammonia spikes in an established tank are not the same thing as starting over. It'll sort out. I hope for your sake it happens quickly!