What An Ordeal!

[Odysseus]

If you remember my thread a few days ago, I had to drain my 55 gallon tank because the sand I put in turned the water foamy and yellow. Even after being drained the walls were still dyed orange. I went out and got this heavy duty gravel vac called a no spill clean and fill just so I could fill and drain the tank in hopes that eventually the tank would clear up. Then I decided that there was no saving this tank by merely filling and draining 55 gallons over and over again. I had to scrape the sand out of the 55 gallon tank and bring it upstairs out of my basement, and then outside, and then hose it out. After doing that I had to bring it down and hose it out again. Then I had to wipe the hood until there was no more yellow scum. then my canister filter had to be cleaned. I had to run it under a sink for about 10 minutes to get the filter floss stuff and media at least close to normal colored again. Then I had to assemble it back together. Then I had to turn the tank around because it was backwards. What a day! It was horrible! I'd like to thank my mom for assisting me in moving the tank around. However there is one thing I would like to ask so I don't go through this ever again. If I am to get REGULAR white play sand, how much would be needed for a 55 gallon tank? Also, what would be some good sized ( 4-8 inch 10-20cm) fish that would keep the sand moving and safe from anaerobic bacteria?

 

[Yetti]

For your aquarium you should get about 50 pounds of sand. Cheap as dirt at a hardware store, and don't forget to rinse it out a few times.

 

[Odysseus]

For your aquarium you should get about 50 pounds of sand. Cheap as dirt at a hardware store, and don't forget to rinse it out a few times.

What kind should I definitely get though? Playsand? Any brand in particular?

 

[DevUK]

I believe another common name for play sand is silver sand. From a quick google search most sands have iron oxide attached to them giving them colour. Silver sand doesn't have iron oxide so has a lot less colour to it.

Over here we have a large company called Argos which sell all sorts of stuff (used to be a big mail order company but has lots of stores too). They sell bags of play sand for only £3 or so (about $6) for about 15kg.

 

[Yetti]

They should have some at Homedepot, they have a big selection of sand( here at least), you can get all kinds of grain sizes. Do not forget to read the packaging, it may say that it is not fit for aquarium use. I have used some that was advised against being used in aquariums, but no problems for me at least, so try to find one that does not contain that warning on the package.

 

[Odysseus]

You guys are probably going to hate me for this, but I ended up buying the expensive sand. My budget allowed me, and even though it was a stupid thing to do, my mom said she wasn't going to risk doing this again. I'll get pictures of the tank soon. So anyway, can I get some good recommendations for good digging species of fish? One that would keep the sand constantly moving and safe from anaerobic bacteria?

 

[J4MES]

not a fish but a snail. MTS (malaysian trumpet snails).

 

[DevUK]

A nice group of Cories maybe. They love digging about in sand

 

[-germ-]

Parotocinclus?