Bought quikrete play sand it's really cloudy seems to be calming down some but now that I have Googled it I'm hearing horror stories does anyone know any tricks im a newbie I didnt wash it it said prewashed pet safe should I drain the tank it hadn't finished cycling yet but I had a good start yes I know I should have already added substrate had trouble finding it because its getting cold here not a big market for it any help would be appreciated thanks
Anyone like Quikrete play sand for geophagus, bicher, cichlid tank
- Thread starter BlipE
- Start date
Since you are still in the cycling process, (if you mean fish less cycle) you have time before adding fish, why not give it time to settle?
Most tanks take between 6 to 8 weeks to cycle, and the sand should settle by that time (the dust may even help by keeping you from jumping the gun and adding fish too early).
Keep your filters running, and they will remove some of the dust in the mechanical media.
Geophagines can be quite sensitive to water quality, so adding them too early (before the cycle is done) could be deadly.
The biggest problem I have with play sand, is because it fine, and light weight, it can get into pulled impeller chambers and score the filter impellers, ruining them. Again especially with Geophagines that dig and spit, this often allows grains of fine sand to get sucked up in the filters and into the volute where they eat away the impeller shaft.
Above an impeller ruined after being eaten away by fine sand particles,.
This happened when I was new to sand and also tried play sand.
You could however; add a layer of heavier Pool Filter sand on top of the play sand. It is not so easily stirred up.
Most tanks take between 6 to 8 weeks to cycle, and the sand should settle by that time (the dust may even help by keeping you from jumping the gun and adding fish too early).
Keep your filters running, and they will remove some of the dust in the mechanical media.
Geophagines can be quite sensitive to water quality, so adding them too early (before the cycle is done) could be deadly.
The biggest problem I have with play sand, is because it fine, and light weight, it can get into pulled impeller chambers and score the filter impellers, ruining them. Again especially with Geophagines that dig and spit, this often allows grains of fine sand to get sucked up in the filters and into the volute where they eat away the impeller shaft.
Above an impeller ruined after being eaten away by fine sand particles,.
This happened when I was new to sand and also tried play sand.
You could however; add a layer of heavier Pool Filter sand on top of the play sand. It is not so easily stirred up.
Personally I would remove it, and replace with a sand that is larger in grain size. Not all play sand is equal in grain size, nor is all pool filter sand, but Quickrete is kind of known for being ultra fine.
I was wrong it was sakrate play sand not aquarium safe ? nicked the seal while removing ? going with pool filter sand any aquarium safe silicone I can get at the hardware store the pets stores have a limited stock and I'm kind in a hurry I have a bichir in a grow out tank that needs this one also my impeller is self cleaning hope that won't b a problem in the future got the aqua quartz kind
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A dust pan silicone lip on the end went right under it dp u know how much silicone I need for a 75gal
B
BlipE
Yes I have used GE1 many times . It says not aquarium safe for liability reasons. It’s commonly used by many people to build or repair aquariums.
To repair the Inside seem you just need to cut away the old silicone being careful not to damage the silicone between the glass. Clean all the residue off with a razor blade and wipe clean with alcohol.
Preparation is key to a good seal and repair.
Yes I have used GE1 many times . It says not aquarium safe for liability reasons. It’s commonly used by many people to build or repair aquariums.
To repair the Inside seem you just need to cut away the old silicone being careful not to damage the silicone between the glass. Clean all the residue off with a razor blade and wipe clean with alcohol.
Preparation is key to a good seal and repair.