Best way to keep the sand stirred up? and lighting a 29g

[Crazed Demasoni]

I'm changing over to color quartz "s" grade sand, and also planting a few Java ferns and other simple plants. One of my bigger concerns is the people who say the sand needs to be stirred/agitated. Would throwing a freshwater clam or 2 into the tank stir it up enough by moving around? The setup is going to be for a pair of German Blue Rams, an oto or two, and some RCS/CRS

29g
figure ~1 to 1.5" sand depth

I'm also going to be using this as a test bed for plant growing. I'm going to experiment with some ghetto CFL lamp lighting in addition to the hood light, at least initially, before I decide to upgrade or buy a more powerful light. On that note, any suggestions for a reliable light for growing plants in a 29g?
I don't want to get into CO2, and I'd prefer not to spend more than $70. Looking for something along the lines of a 2x24w 30" fixture.

 

[Bb66cuda]

Plants usually don't do too well in fine sand. Try putting in some geophagus or even goldfish to sift through the sand, they will level it out and pick out any food that gets in there.

 

[xrayjeeper83]

I just run my finger threw the sand when Im doing my weekly water change.

You could get some MTS snails to burrow threw the sand, but they multiply like weeds

 

[Crazed Demasoni]

I may just do the finger through it. Easy enough, and I've heard much more bad than good about clams (dying under the sand = bad).

I may look into plants on driftwood as well, just so that they're already anchored/that much closer to the surface, or try to make that happen myself. I've also looked into plants that are growing on a small piece of lava rock, and that looks like it could help anchor them as well.

 

[Johnnybravo60025]

I have tons of MTS in my 10 gallons that help mix the sand. Also, you can use some chopsticks to mix it up every once in a while if you don't want to get MTS.

 

[aclockworkorange]

Plants usually don't do too well in fine sand. Try putting in some geophagus or even goldfish to sift through the sand, they will level it out and pick out any food that gets in there.

You could do that, but don't expect to have live plants--geophagus will uproot them, and goldfish will eat them.

I believe this whole topic pertains to the whole freshwater deep sand bed, or DSB debate... go ahead and google that one and see how controversial it is.

 

[CLDarnell]

2" to 1.5" of sand isn't going to be a problem. I have about 5" of sand in my 150. I drag my vac over the surface, then swirl it around to pick up the stuff that floats up.

I have a BN in my tank and he keeps things pretty well sifted. He doesn't bother the plants either.

Good luck to you

 

[Dr_Shakalu]

I don't know what "S" grade quartz is. Is it the size of the quartz? Well, if it isn't a real fine grain, you can always use an underground filter and put a very low output power head on the tubes so water will come from below the quartz. It probably won't work if the quartz isn't big enough that it won't stay still with the water coming underneath. Just use a very small powerhead or use the kind that's adjustable and turn it real low. Hope this helps, The Docter.