Deep Sand Beds for Freshwater tanks

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
:thumbsup:

I pushed flake food into the sand and the MTS went nuts for it.
 
I am considering employing a DSB and an algae scrubber. I may run a test tank here soon. Knifegill, where do you get your black worms and MTS? I found blackworkms online but they are nearly $40 and they say they must be kept in 40 to 50 degree (Farenheit) water! Will they survive in a tropical environment?
 
You can find MTS at LFS sometimes. Try the big bix stores (Petco, Petsmart, etc). Just look through their tanks and see if you can spot any MTS sticking to the walls. Usually they will let you have them for free since they're considered a 'pest'.

Not sure on Blackworms as they aren't local to me that I know of. Probably shop around a bit online. $40 sounds like a lot for worms. Is that for 2 or 3 lbs of them?
 
Dark Jester;4490824; said:
You can find MTS at LFS sometimes. Try the big bix stores (Petco, Petsmart, etc). Just look through their tanks and see if you can spot any MTS sticking to the walls. Usually they will let you have them for free since they're considered a 'pest'.

Not sure on Blackworms as they aren't local to me that I know of. Probably shop around a bit online. $40 sounds like a lot for worms. Is that for 2 or 3 lbs of them?
Click to expand...


I wasn't even sure which snails the MTS were until I googled them. LOL, I have a bunch in my betta fry tank right now. They help keep it clean. I can easily ge ahold of more of those. The black worms on Worm Man's website are $40 a pound! I don't know if I want to do that if they are hard to keep as described on Worm Man's site:

http://www.wormman.com/pd_california.cfm
 
knifegill;4488004; said:
I had to have a tapeworm so an employee gave me a bag and I rolled him into it. With nowhere else to put him, he's in my aquatic plant arrangement here on the desk. I don't think he'll live long, but it will be fun to watch him for a day or two. He's about six inches long, flat, ribbony and segmented. He coils on contact and is clearly not equipped for life outside the intestine.
Click to expand...
Ha ha ha. goin into the sig.

On topic, what would one consider a "deep sand bed"? I have a sand bed of about 4-5inches in my 100 gallon tank. And it is a freshwater. All my readings are 0, but I'm also running an XP3 and a HOB filter...
 
tommyd;4491006; said:
Ha ha ha. goin into the sig.

On topic, what would one consider a "deep sand bed"? I have a sand bed of about 4-5inches in my 100 gallon tank. And it is a freshwater. All my readings are 0, but I'm also running an XP3 and a HOB filter...
Click to expand...

NitrAtes are also 0? XP3 and HOB won't lower Nitrates, so unless you have a lot of plants, then the DSB is taking them out. DSB would start at around 4".

(I think Knifegill is becomming one of the most Signature Quoted people on MFK. :grinno:)
 
I now have a tank running with about 4" of sand, I also am running a sump on it too. I really like the natural look and from much research most who have tried it have been happy with the results. The tank really seems clean so far and vaccuming is really nice. I shouldn't see true results from the DSB for a little while, but aesthetically and functionally so far its nice.
 
Dark Jester;4491027; said:
NitrAtes are also 0? XP3 and HOB won't lower Nitrates, so unless you have a lot of plants, then the DSB is taking them out. DSB would start at around 4".

(I think Knifegill is becomming one of the most Signature Quoted people on MFK. :grinno:)
Click to expand...

I don't have many plants, so perhaps it is! Should I sift the sand EVER?

And come on. You have to admit the tapeworm story gave you a smile:D
 
No, if you're going for a deep bed you never really want to stir it up yourself. You can disturb the top inch or so safely during vaccuuming and cleaning, but you don't want to dig deeper than that if you want the fish to stay healthy. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom