What Substrate?

[greenscooby]

Hi all, i'm looking at changing my substrate, at the moment i have rather coarse gravel and want to change it to something smoother, i'm looking at getting CaribSea Tahitian Moon Black Sand.

The only problem i have is after reading up on it, it says instant aquarium, ideal for new setups, it immediately begins the cycling process,eliminating new tank syndrome, detoxifies metals, eliminates ammonia, neutralizes chlorine and chloramines, also reduces nitrates and nitrites.

As my media is established will i be able to add this without damaging my media, and if i did use this would i have to treat my water before adding it to the tank as i do now and when can i put my fish back in to the tank?

Sorry it's so confusing, but welcome to my world!!!

Too many questions not enough talent to explain myself.

Many thanks in advance,

Mark.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Hi all, i'm looking at changing my substrate, at the moment i have rather coarse gravel and want to change it to something smoother, i'm looking at getting CaribSea Tahitian Moon Black Sand.

The only problem i have is after reading up on it, it says instant aquarium, ideal for new setups, it immediately begins the cycling process,eliminating new tank syndrome, detoxifies metals, eliminates ammonia, neutralizes chlorine and chloramines, also reduces nitrates and nitrites.

As my media is established will i be able to add this without damaging my media, and if i did use this would i have to treat my water before adding it to the tank as i do now and when can i put my fish back in to the tank?

Sorry it's so confusing, but welcome to my world!!!

Too many questions not enough talent to explain myself.

Many thanks in advance,

Mark.

Hello there!

I actually have the same substrate that you want to get, and I can say it is really good, I love the rich color it has!

I am sorry to say, that what it says about it immediately begins the cycling process is not true. If it was true, than we wouldn't have to cycle our tanks, and everyone will be buying this stuff.

So....this substrate will not effect your filter media what so ever.

If you clean the sand properly before you add it to your tank, the sand should settle within a couple hours, that is what mine did, and then you can safely add the fish back to the tank.

To clean the sand, put a little bit in like a 5 gallon bucket, then put a hose down in the bucket under the sand, turn the water on, and then stir the sand with the hose while the water is on to loose up any free particles. These particles will find their way to the surface of the water, as the water rises, let it pour over the edges of the bucket with the particles.

Repeat this process until all of the sand is washed.

You can also fill up a pillow case with the sand and run water though that, this will also rinse the sand as well.

-FHM

 

[greenscooby]

Thanks FHM.

Just gotta find a supplier in my area now.

Many thanks,

Mark.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Your welcome!

The sand will settle within a couple hours to the point where you can put your fish in, but it wills till be a little murky.

But over the course of several days, it will all settle down and you will have clear water!

And yes, this and looks amazing!

-FHM