i know all the dangers of the gas pockets and all of that but ive seen somewhere that saltwater tanks usually have 3 or 4 inches of sand and they seem do do fine.. whats the difference? would i need a saltwater set up to pull off that kind of coverage? my frame is about 2 inches and i want to at least be able to fill up to there, any suggestions apart from trumpet snails or plants? would those even be a good idea? i have a few marbled crays and they hate plants and snails, apart from my 5 mysteries so i don't even know if i could go that route. im looking to update my community 125g from pebbles to pool filter sand with a TSN to deplete the stock as he get bigger. im not planning on keeping him in there, just waiting it out until i can move into a bigger place with my girlfriend so i can start some sort of a fish room.
how much sand is too much?
- Thread starter Fishbert
- Start date
most posts/things that i've read recommend about 1" of sand as a tank substrate.. the gas pockets become more of an issue witht he more sand that you have.
2 inches is fine, I think this is mainly a concern for people with deep sand beds rather than a couple inches, still to be sure just stir up the sand a little now and then with your fingers, or you can get fish that will do it for you.
There is a lot of debate about deep sand beds in freshwater tanks, and if they actually will build up the rumored gas pockets and negatively affect your fish. I've run deep sand beds in FW without issues. Amano planted tanks regularly have 4-6" of substrate with no issues. I think this is one of those Internet fish keeping rumors that has just stuck around without a lot of actual documented evidence to support it.
I have 3-4" of PFS in my tank and have never had any issues with it. I do keep MTS in it and give it a good stir when I do my WC's to prevent any issues though.
has anyone tried MTS with crayfish before? i want to know if that would be feasible thing to try since any smaller snails like the pest pond snails always got eaten on sight when i had them in a 20 gallon, do they stay buried as much as people say? an what about after dark, they come to the surface don't they?
You should be able to get MTS for free from most stores. Most stores, and people for that matter, view them as pests. I got mine that way.
I like them very much. They turn over the substrate and eat algae, plant debris and extra food. Handy little buggers in my opinion. I doubt the Crayfish could put to big of a dent in the population once its established.
If you can't find free MTS in your area. Let me know I could mail you some for the postage.
I like them very much. They turn over the substrate and eat algae, plant debris and extra food. Handy little buggers in my opinion. I doubt the Crayfish could put to big of a dent in the population once its established.
If you can't find free MTS in your area. Let me know I could mail you some for the postage.