Need Help for sand Aquascape

[Tango374]

I'm thinking I'm going to go with sand substrate for my 55 gal malawii tank. Before I do this though I have a question. I've read about air pockets developing in sand that is over and inch deep causing a problem with sulfer if they aren't disturbed. The way I have my tank set up has deep gravel in the rear of the tank (about six inches deep), shallowing out in the front so my rocks have a good portion of them buried. I love the effect it gives and I would like to continue this with the sand bottum. How would I do this? Do I keep the gravel in the rear of the tank, take out the gravel in the front and then add the sand so that it covers the remaining gravel? Do I take out all the gravel, and fill in the space in the rear with coin size gravel and then cover with sand? Am I making any sence? Heres a few pics to give you all an idea how I have my tank set up and how I'd like to keep going with the change to sand. sorry about the quality but it gives you the idea.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

The sand in my tank is 6'' at the deepest spot. No problems thanks to my Malaysian Trumpet Snails Great little helpers. That should address your concerens about air pockets.

The aquascaping you can forget about when you have sand and cichlids - I bet they level it out within days. If you want to try, though, I suggest to use terraces by placing slate vertically in your tank.

Good luck,
HarleyK

 

[Mr.Geoff]

yup. MTS work great at keeping sand good to go. plus with cichlids they are prolley gonna dig up all the time

 

[dpetit]

I am not 100% sure about this, but i have heard from one or two people saying that there africans like eating snails. something to think about when using MTS
might have to do some more research tho, as i have only heard about this happening.

 

[HarleyK]

Howdy,

MTS spend most of their time buried in the substrate. They come out and sit on the glass periodically at 11 PM, but there is no clear pattern - like once a week or once a month. Anyhow, by then my tank lights are out and my fish are asleep.

I'd say if the substrate is deep enough so that the cichlids cannot dig to the bottom of the tank and extract every single snail, the MTS population as a whole is safe.

HarleyK

 

[scott67892002]

also mts shells are amazingly hard!