I currently have a 125 gal housing a 9" fahaka. I have gravel as a substrate now. Is it worth changing it out to sand? Is pool filter sand the best way to go? What advice can you give one doing this? Should i remove the fahaka from the tank?
Is changing to sand worth it?
- Thread starter Dixon81
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It depends on how much work you do on your tank as to the value of using sand. The sand keeps the debris and detritus on the surface better, makes it easier to clean. Planted tanks usually do better with sand substrate. Also you can use play ground sand or blasting sand as well, and it is readily available.
I say yes. Anything between 50-100lbs should be good. As said it's a lot easier to clean because you can vac the poo right off the top of the sand, and to me it looks much better. I've had zero issues with sand in my filters though, I know some people have and that might make you not want sand.
If you want to to planted you might want to go with a richer substrate like flourite sand. If no plants you can pretty much use the play sand or go with that 3m colorquartz or black beauty
I actually prefer gravel...
it hides the poo better. I could never make sand look clean. after one feeding it looked dirty again.
but anyway... I have changed subtrate 2x in my 75 and it was a horrible process lol. Unless you really really really want to I wouldn't do it.
it hides the poo better. I could never make sand look clean. after one feeding it looked dirty again.
but anyway... I have changed subtrate 2x in my 75 and it was a horrible process lol. Unless you really really really want to I wouldn't do it.
Playsand is extremely fine, takes forever to clean, and gets sucked into filters easily. I dont have any first hand experience with it, that is just what I have been told by numerous people.
I switched to pool filter sand and absolutely love it. IMO it looks 10x better, its easier to clean, and its pretty heavy so I havent got any in the filters.
I switched to pool filter sand and absolutely love it. IMO it looks 10x better, its easier to clean, and its pretty heavy so I havent got any in the filters.
BarroomHero;3040283; said:
From a person who have use playsand as cheap way to avoid those expensive aquarium sand, I do not recommend it one bit. Those playsand are truly fine and any movement of the fish (especially a fahaka when eating) will stir the sand up. Once floating, it will be suck into the filter which is a pain in the rear to clean later, plus it will mess up your filter propeller in the future. Also each time you clean those fish turd or uneaten food with a vacuum, those sand will be suck with it also.
It is worth it. Sand is so much better. The poo does stay on the surface. As long as you have good water flow in the tank, which a Fahaka would probably like, the flow will push the poo under any decor you have in the tank, hiding it until you vacuum.
Get a heavier sand. As mentioned, playsand is not good. Get pool filter sand or 3M colorquartz. Keep the Fahaka in the tank when you change to sand. Empty the water 1/2 or 2/3 of the way. Use a cup to get all the gravel out. Then use a cup to put the sand in. Even if you rinse sand very well, it still tends to make the water cloudy for a couple of hours, but it will clear. 100 lbs of sand will be more than enough for a 125. I think I have 60-70 lbs in my 125.
Get a heavier sand. As mentioned, playsand is not good. Get pool filter sand or 3M colorquartz. Keep the Fahaka in the tank when you change to sand. Empty the water 1/2 or 2/3 of the way. Use a cup to get all the gravel out. Then use a cup to put the sand in. Even if you rinse sand very well, it still tends to make the water cloudy for a couple of hours, but it will clear. 100 lbs of sand will be more than enough for a 125. I think I have 60-70 lbs in my 125.