The Switch To Sand. . .

[Rynofasho]

I'm coming to the realization that my 2" layer of gravel on the bottom of my tank is 1) Just asking for a buildup of waste and 2) Not optimal for my Corys, one of which is one his way out.

I've already found play sand at Lowes for super cheap -- $4 for a 50lb bag. Speaking from experience, does anyone know if that will be enough to fill the bottom of a 36 gallon bowfront? The footprint of the tank is 30" x 15" about.

Also, would it be beneficial to leave a very small layer of gravel at the very bottom? I have no idea if it would but I thought I may as well ask.

I've found plenty of info on cleaning the sand, but I was also wondering, do you need to vacuum as often as you do with gravel? It seems like most of the gunk would stay on the top of the sand as opposed to working its way down in the gravel, so you wouldn't have to clean it quite as much.

Lastly, if I am going to go with a planted tank, should I do anything special in regards to plant care? I know they make laterite and flourite substrates, but if those need to be replaced with any frequency from underneath the sand, I'm not really interested. How do stem / root plants take to it? I have a 36 Watt T5 fixture and plan on dosing Flourish and Flourish Excel.

Any other general pointers would be appreciated as well, and Ill continue scouring google for some of the answers on my own too. And oh ya, maybe do a little work, since I'm here and all. . .

 

[Aqua Tom]

I'm coming to the realization that my 2" layer of gravel on the bottom of my tank is 1) Just asking for a buildup of waste and 2) Not optimal for my Corys, one of which is one his way out.

I've already found play sand at Lowes for super cheap -- $4 for a 50lb bag. Speaking from experience, does anyone know if that will be enough to fill the bottom of a 36 gallon bowfront? The footprint of the tank is 30" x 15" about.

Also, would it be beneficial to leave a very small layer of gravel at the very bottom? I have no idea if it would but I thought I may as well ask.

I've found plenty of info on cleaning the sand, but I was also wondering, do you need to vacuum as often as you do with gravel? It seems like most of the gunk would stay on the top of the sand as opposed to working its way down in the gravel, so you wouldn't have to clean it quite as much.

Lastly, if I am going to go with a planted tank, should I do anything special in regards to plant care? I know they make laterite and flourite substrates, but if those need to be replaced with any frequency from underneath the sand, I'm not really interested. How do stem / root plants take to it? I have a 36 Watt T5 fixture and plan on dosing Flourish and Flourish Excel.

Any other general pointers would be appreciated as well, and Ill continue scouring google for some of the answers on my own too. And oh ya, maybe do a little work, since I'm here and all. . .

2 bags & you will have a bit left over to top up later.

Mine is 100% sand.

 

[Rynofasho]

Alright, thanks for that. I wonder how long it will take to clean 100lbs of sand?!?!? ICK.

Unfortunately it is cold as hell here right now and snowing about 10" so I can't wash it off outdoors. I'm thinking about pouring some in a pair of panty hose and dumping that in a bucket in my bath tub to rinse and keep most of it from ending up in my plumbing

 

[symon_say]

I fill my 55 gallon tank with just 50 pounds. I clean mine in the bath tub, your sand won't go out of the bucket, dirt and dust are the ones that are going out of the bucket, you shouldn't have any problem cleaning it inside.

A note, when you think your sand is clean, use your hand to move sand from the bottom to the top, for a few times, after you have done this several times, after clear water, and you move you sand it go to bottom immediately you got your sand clean.

 

[Doc7]

When I cleaned my sand, after rinsing for 30 mins by hand, i just left the sink running in the bucket while watching an hour long TV show, mixing it by hand during commercials.

I filled the tank "Vigorously" with water after putting in the sand, and then after another hour long TV show did a 100% water change. Afterward my water was practically crystal clear.

 

[Rynofasho]

Awesome! Is there a difference between silica sand and play sand that people refer to? Google is FULL of conflicting information about whether or not silica sand is too sharp, play sand compacts too easily and builds anaerobic pockets, etc. One of the downfalls of Google I suppose. . .

 

[symon_say]

I get silica sand, the that i use to sand blast in my work and it have work really nice.

 

[Rynofasho]

Ok -- I see some people saying that is too sharp, others saying it is perfect, yada yada. Sounds like play sand or silica sand would do just fine for either and it is just a matter of preference. Ill check out the silica too then. Thank you!

 

[roadmaster]

Playsand would be my choice.Would also leave a very fine layer of gravel in the tank for the mulm found there will help speed bacterial consumption of organic's.(this activty also produces CO2 naturally along with fish respiration).
I might also consider a layer of laterite under the sand (not too much). Laterite is clay based and will help hold nutrient's and make them more easily available to plant's.(long term)
I would want sand depth at around two inches to three inches depending on types of plant's.
Some plant's such as sword plant's and vallisneria along with some Crypt's have extensive root system and deeper sand would be needed in my view.
Trumpet snails are a good way to help keep sand aerated and sifted to prevent any Hydrogen sulfide from gathering in substrate and they are harmless to plant's.
Sand ,unless the tank is heavily planted,will need to be vaccumed regularly just like gravel. Otherwise,waste/organics will collect on the surface and tank will look unattractive.
Is easy to vaccum sand by hovering just above it with gravel vaccum as opposed to shoving the vaccum down into the gravel.
Not overfeeding will help keep the waste,debri,from littering the substrate whether it be sand or gravel.

 

[jonathand]

I think 2 to 3 inches of sand is way too deep.
I've heard about pockets of gasses forming too and been advised to keep it around 1 inch deep.

You can dislodge it once a week to help stop any gases building up, or get some bottom dwelling fish that like to dig!

 

[Aqua Tom]

I think 2 to 3 inches of sand is way too deep.
I've heard about pockets of gasses forming too and been advised to keep it around 1 inch deep.

You can dislodge it once a week to help stop any gases building up, or get some bottom dwelling fish that like to dig!

I have 2 inces at the front of my tank & about 3 & 1/2 at the back. I have corys & assassin snails to snuffle through it.
gas pockets?
urban myth

 

[roadmaster]

I think 2 to 3 inches of sand is way too deep.
I've heard about pockets of gasses forming too and been advised to keep it around 1 inch deep.

You can dislodge it once a week to help stop any gases building up, or get some bottom dwelling fish that like to dig!

I have 2 inces at the front of my tank & about 3 & 1/2 at the back. I have corys & assassin snails to snuffle through it.
gas pockets?
urban myth

Is not a Myth with regards to Hydrogen sulfide but it seldom present's problem when once it reacts with oxygen in the water. Plant's also transport Oxygen to the roots and this too would cause less concern with any pockets of gas.
With the use of trumpet snails, I have had tanks with three inches of sand or more go two plus years without bothering substrate other than occasional vaccuming.

 

[moochy13]

i only hoover my sand when its getting visually dirty. gas does build up, but it release in bubbles, and the gas is only released when it pops at the surface of the tank. i never turn my sand by hand, unless im already rooting about with my pokey stick for another reason, beit sorting out plants or retrieving dead fish/plants/uneaten food. my rusty plec and hopolo catfish do a very good job of agitating the sand. especially the plec, who doesnt let a day pass without rearranging part of the tank bed