Questions about putting sand in my tank

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B

BHA

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 27, 2009
118
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46
Michigan
Hi guys,
I have an 135 gallon tank and I was wondering how I would go about putting sand in my tank. The stock is a lungfish, wolffish, and a oscar. I currently have stone gravel in the tank and was wondering how I could change my bottom to sand. Does it matter what type of sand? How do I clean my tank with having a sand bottom?
thanks
 
so I syphon my tank just like I would with gravel? Don't you lose a lot of sand while doing that?
 
Sand is great. All the crap you need to clean up is highly visible and (depending on its color) your oscar might look great against it. You can directly vaccum the sand but you will end up sucking a bit of sand up with the other stuff, so I'd advise against it. Very low amount of maintaining going on.


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I just put sand in my tank today so here are some tips. The easiest way to remove the old gravel is with large fish net and just scoop it out. Water will be cloudy from all the fish crap that was in the gravel. Now wash the new sand in a bucket/tub just like gravel. I used a smaller net or cup to put the sand in but before you put the sand in turn off your filters off and just leave an air stone on. This is because when you poor the sand in there will be particles floating all around and will take some time for them to settle to the bottom and can cause impeller damage. After sand settles turn filters back on and I would recommend moving your intake pipes to the middle height of the tank because the fish will kick up sand and will go in your filter and can cause impeller damage. On a sump system this is not an issue. Good luck


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Just hope you know that by removing your substrate now you will lose most of the beneficial bacteria in your tank and you will have to mostly re cycle your tank. But I agree with the sand, looks great and if you gonna get sand don't get play sand get pool filter sand, I made the mistake of getting play sand because it's lighter than pool filter sand and that makes it a bit harder to clean but still looks great


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Thanks guys. One last question, Will any fish crap get underneath the sand or will it just stay on top? The only cleaning I will be doing with the syphon is just the stuff on top of the sand. correct?
thanks
 
BHA said:
Thanks guys. One last question, Will any fish crap get underneath the sand or will it just stay on top? The only cleaning I will be doing with the syphon is just the stuff on top of the sand. correct?
thanks
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It stays on top. Sand is very easy to upkeep. Please remember though for the first few weeks you'll need to sift trough the sand to allow air pockets to release any air or it can cause a poisonous gas that will kill the fish. Once a week with your water change is fine. I do mine every time just because I'm already in the tank but a few weeks should suffice.


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