cichlid2006;1976382; said:
I really don't understand the "sands get dirty issue" I've been using sand for at least 30 years and I've never noticed it getting dirty or getting in my filters. Evidently we are not communicating well.
Once you go sand, you don't go back!
- Thread starter Kobeclone
- Start date
I really don't understand the "sands get dirty issue" I've been using sand for at least 30 years and I've never noticed it getting dirty or getting in my filters. Evidently we are not communicating well.
The only problem that i encountered with sand is when my tank sprung a leak. And so i have to remove every bits and pieces of sand in the tank. Took me 3 1/2 hours to finish it.
Moontanman;1977529; said:
what exactly do you mean we are not communicating well?
instead of mixing with the substrate like it does with gravel, it sits on top. which makes it look dirty, its not hard to understand. and i would have had to vac everyday to keep it clean, ie not dirty looking. i also had problems with my large plec at the time digging right nest to a filter intake, which concerned me a little but it did no damage.
when its clean it looks better, without a doubt, but keeping it poop free on the surface is no easy task when you have big poopers.
davo;1978497; said:
that extra weight tho means you lose less, if any, when you gravel vac. i think i lose 1 or 2 stones every vac but its through me not paying enough attention to the vac.
i was also loosing too much sand when i vac the surface so eventually i gave up.
I use sand in most of my tanks. And i love it. I keep a good flow going to move the crap around till the filter,s can suck it up. Takes a bit to get the flow right so it is not blowing the sand, but it can be done. Also keep lots of M. Trumpet snails. They do a wonderful job of cleaning up crap and you never see them. Plus the move through the sand and stir it up abit which is also a good thing. If you are sucking up sand when you vacum just let up abit . Sand only needs a very light vacum. When I do vacum I will also reach in and rake the sand around or turn it over. About the only time I see the snails.I find that the sand is way less work than using gravel. But thats just my opinion.
cichlid2006;1978486; said:
I use malaysian trumpet snails in all my sand tanks, they are like little under sand tractors, constantly turning the sand over. They mix in the pooh, and stop it getting anaerobic which helps the plants. I use silver sand from the builders as it is much heavier, but still pretty...
I agree with the sand getting that "dirty" look too quickly after a vac. Also some of my fish tend to stir it up when making movements some time and it'll hang in the water for a bit before settling. I love the look of it from a bit of a distance or right after a vac but hate seeing the poo sit atop it.
