good or bad idea

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

crowconor

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Sep 1, 2008
1,378
0
66
hanover,ma
i have gravel from homedepot but it is a bit jagged and i want to get a ray
so i was thinking pool filter sand so my q's are
1. how many bags for a 125
2. what are the cons
3. can i use undergravel w/ powerheads
4. how do i clean the sand

thanks conor
 
Im using pool filter sand for my arrowhead puffer wich they are lurkers that burrow under the sand. You will need minium of 2 inch -3 inch. Dont think they sell that in homedepot but you can find it at a pool supplies shop for $10 per 50lb. So do the math at 2 lbs per gal you have 125 gal tank. Double of 125 is 250 so you need 5 bags which is $50 bucks and thats dirt cheap for sand substrate. Pool filter sand already pre rinse but you still need to rinse it because residual dust. I use 5 gal bucket fill water little more then half full then pour half of bag worth of sand inthere. The dust right away will start floating first. Then pour water out. Next you get a hose at full blast and start blasting your sand but make sure you tilt the bucket so dirty water will spill out till water turns clear. Took me less then 10 mins to clean compare to other substrates.
 
1) however much you want, just keep it from getting to deep. I've used 1-2 lbs/gallon for most of my tanks and it works out. 1 is on the thin side and 2 is just about right. If it comes in 50 lb bags about 4-5 bags should do the trick.

2) If you really freak the rays out they might stir some up.

3) No, this isn't really the best style of filter anyways. Get some canisters.

4) Just skim it over the top, way easier than gravel.

This is the planted section, so I'm not sure if you're talking about for a planted tank. If you are, then the pros go up to "Helps rooted plants grow easier". A canister filter will be best for a planted tank as you will have less outgassing of CO2 (good for plants)

In regards to bare-bottom, we should change that to "when in doubt, just leave it a big, water-filled, glass box that has no personality at all so we don't have to work as hard at cleaning it". I think that sums up bare-bottom nicely.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom