Is converting to sand worth the hassel??

[sg1]

Ive always thought sand looks much better, but I need an education on it. Is it suitable for a freshwater tank? Can I vaccume it the same way I do the rocks? How messy does it look when it needs to be cleaned? I vaccume my tank once a week but by the end of the week my rocks look noticiby dirty. How would the sand work? Would it clog up my cannister filter? ANd is it worth the hassell to change over from gravel? Any and all help would be most appreciated!!!

 

[DanProwse]

it seems to look messier quicker but then it reminds you to vacuum more often.. its easier to keep clean than gravel though as all the crap sits on top instead of sinking between the gravel

 

[Evofish]

I would say yes. There is a ton of junk that gets stuck to gravel and would take forever to remove even if you clean the water often. Sand can ruin your filter so be careful with it. I would go with a substitute like the Color Quartz.

 

[sg1]

I would say yes. There is a ton of junk that gets stuck to gravel and would take forever to remove even if you clean the water often. Sand can ruin your filter so be careful with it. I would go with a substitute like the Color Quartz.

Got a link to the color quartz that I could take a look at?

 

[Evofish]

Got a link to the color quartz that I could take a look at?

No, I don't at this moment. I just ordered some and will be picking it up Monday night when I go and visit my parents. Try and search for it though, it is called 3M Color Quartz.

 

[sg1]

Ill check it out right now, that said, if I were to go with sand, is there an effective way to make sure you dont ruin your filter? Cannister filters arent cheap lol

 

[fsubulldogs]

i switched and i really think i made the right decision. it really wasnt that much work to take the gravel out and add the sand. as for the filter clogging up or getting ruined, just make sure your intake isnt right at the bottom of the tank. its easy to clean you just run the hose over the sand about 1/2" and it will suck up the poop and other junk. i use pool filter sand and really like the way it looks.

 

[Evofish]

Ill check it out right now, that said, if I were to go with sand, is there an effective way to make sure you dont ruin your filter? Cannister filters arent cheap lol

Yes there is a way, it is very simple... put a sponge over your filter, thats it. And when you vacuum, do not make direct contact with the sand. Try keeping the hose like one inch off the sand.

 

[sg1]

i switched and i really think i made the right decision. it really wasnt that much work to take the gravel out and add the sand. as for the filter clogging up or getting ruined, just make sure your intake isnt right at the bottom of the tank. its easy to clean you just run the hose over the sand about 1/2" and it will suck up the poop and other junk. i use pool filter sand and really like the way it looks.

What is the best process to remove the gravel and put in the sand, Ive got a 125g tank and one of the reasons I havent done this yet is Im a little afraid that it might me an awful job? For example, do I leave the fish in? Do I just dump the sand in? Wouldnt that creat a really bad cloud? And now that you are done, how's it look compared ot when you had gravel in it?

 

[Danyal]

just pull your gravel out a bit at a time so you don't disturb your bio-filter too much and when you do put in the sand make sure to rinse it very well before hand and then bring the water level down to just above the level you want your sand(try to save as much old tank water as possible) and pour in your sand then pour the water back in, make sure to pour it onto a plate or something so it doesn't stir up the sand too much.