removing tile/putting in sand in pond questions..

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
A

arowfan

Candiru
MFK Member
Aug 12, 2008
883
9
48
North Jersey
www.stickam.com
Hey guys, I know that I should probably put this post in the pond section, but because I feel this is more of a delicate matter, dealing w/ stingrays I figure I ask it here.

So I have tile down on the pond floor, and have been throwing around the idea of putting sand down...
Here are my questions:
If I remove the tile, there probably is going to be tons of gunk inbetween the cracks-assuming that it's a combo of crap/beneficial bacteria? What do you think? If its just gunk, should i just net it all out at once?

And finally my question about sand...I would like to do sand, but I'm kinda scared...gravel I understand how to clean (obviously sand is better for rays) but how do you clean/ take care of your sand w/ your rays? And if I go forward with this project, I would only use a little sand-also fearing it will get sucked into the pump if they get spooked lol

Thanks guys,
John
 
not sure about the tile situation but as for the sand......been using sand for quite some time and it actually works better than gravel as I consider lower maintenance. It packs tighter than gravel and not much debris gets into it. The debris usually settles on top where it is sucked up rather easily with my filtration system and or python during water changes. I have not had issues with sand getting into filter system so that works well although I have heard stories. Now my other tank with gravel is another story where debris constantly settles into gravel and that needs to get stirred and sucked up everytime during water changes.

Good luck
 
I wouldn't worry about the tiny amount of beneficial bacteria, any you lose while scooping out the mulm will be replaced in the filter in no time at all - and you'll have less mulm breaking down contributing to ammonia anyway so net-net you're probably ahead and it's really irrelevant regardless.

I don't use sand but from what I've seen it seems rays will keep the sand stirred up enough that you won't be trying to vacuum it anyway. Whether or not the sand will get in your filter depends on how you're filtering but realistically unless you only have a top-of-tank overflow, sand will probably find a way into any filter. Fishdog just redid his tank with sand and said he added some kinda spiral settlement chamber dealy-o, might be worth asking for some info on it.

I use a fine gravel - specifically Peace River. I only use a smallish amount (~40lbs in an 8x3 footprint tank) so it's not very deep, just enough for the rays to cruise around on and cover themselves with if they want. I do have an FX5 intake a few inches from the floor in that tank and the Peace River doesn't lift enough to get into it. I've never vacuumed the gravel in that tank, the rays move it around plenty enough to keep it free of crud.
 
If you want to see both in tanks, Pet Shanty has a few tanks with Torpedo Beach and a few with Peace River. Peace River is in the group of 4 larger tanks on the front wall to the right of the door when you go in, Torpedo Beach is in some smaller tanks. Ask Charlie.
 
I would net the stuff that's left on the bottom after pulling up the tile. I switched to Torpedo Beach from fine sand and am very happy with it. I was having a big problem with sand getting sucked into my filter. The Torpedo Beach is large enough that it doesn't get kicked up when the rays dig through it. To clean I just hold the siphon just over the substrate and it gets most of the waste. It's tightly packed and not a whole lot gets through the substrate.
 
thanks a lot guys for all the responses!!! I'm one step closer to actually doing this lol my confidence is building with this project-the only thing that I fear now is the sand getting sucked up into the pump-I have an in pond pump that is currently on the floor of the pond-and suggestions-i think the most it could be lifted is to fit a brick under it (not long ways up, just flat) do you guys think I should boil the brick before putting in the pond, to be safe right? def. planning on using a heavier grit sand-some people told to me a 50lb bag from home depot-any feedback on that stuff? will look into the types of sand mentioned above...thanks again guys! much appreciated!

ohhh one more thing-I just got a new ray on saturday :) -was figuring that i did not want to stress her anytime soon-so when do you think would be ok to do this project w/o stressing all the rays in the pond (3 rays in a 8x4 pond) about a month or so is what I was figuring to be safe!
 
sorry but i would recommend stick to tile!!! cos i used sand and its just high maintenance IMO as its hard to remove left over blood worms that get stuck inside the sand and it rots and dirties the tank. :( I removed the sand and changed to peace river and the same happens :/ sigh... now i have barebottom like my barebuttocks! :nilly:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom