Sand as a substrate

[JeffC]

I'll never go back to gravel. Gravel sucks balls. Sand is awesome...easy to clean, never compacts and looks sooooo much better and my cichlids love it. You have to get the right kind of sand though. Don't use Home Depot playsand, I used that first and had to take it all out and start over. I use 20-grade pool filter silica sand from Leslie's Pool Supply and it rocks. (figuratively speaking) It's heavy enough to fall back down when stirred up and not float into the filter intakes. Plus cleaning is a breeze because the debris sits on the top and not all mixed in like with gravel. It's $11.99 per 50/lb. bag but well worth the extra coin.

From what i can see, I agree with you....the sand is awesome looking and feels good...I would think the fish would like it better. I picked up some sand blasting sand today from a friend who does sand blasting. I tested it in a cup of water. After washing it out quite a few times, it seems to clear fast. I even kept stirring it up like a fish might do and it seemed to settle fast. The color is pretty much white and that is what I wanted. It also was a good price (freebie). I am anxious to get the back painted and get it going and put the sand in.

About cleaning....is there anything wrong with putting the sand in the tank and putting in water and stirring it around and siphoning the water off and repeat as many times as necessary until it is clean and settled and then set up filtration? Seems like this might be easier with a bigger surface area than doing it in a bucket. What are all of your thoughts?

 

[balton777]

No use the bucket method. I promise you it's better. The in-tank method will take forever. With the bucket, you can pour the water out in seconds compared to many minutes siphoning a big tank. You have to rinse many times before its truly ready. With the high quality sand I use, I only rinse it about 5 times compared with the 50 times with cheapo sand but even to fill and empty your tank 5 times will tank MUCH longer...trust me on this one.

 

[JeffC]

That sounds logical....I will follow your advice. Thanks for that.

 

[rmcder]

Get a 5 gal bucket, put hose into bucket so it points along the side and bottom, run water hard enough to make a fast swirling motion in the bucket, tilt the bucket so water flows out of the top of one side, add sand slowly. What happens is that the light stuff is immediately swept over the side, and the heavier stuff sinks. You're left with stuff that will immediately settle when stirred, so nothing ends up suspended in solution. Quick and simple!

 

[balton777]

Get a 5 gal bucket, put hose into bucket so it points along the side and bottom, run water hard enough to make a fast swirling motion in the bucket, tilt the bucket so water flows out of the top of one side, add sand slowly. What happens is that the light stuff is immediately swept over the side, and the heavier stuff sinks. You're left with stuff that will immediately settle when stirred, so nothing ends up suspended in solution. Quick and simple!

Everything he said but I add the sand first. It also helps to swish the sand around with your hand in the bucket to release any small particles that are trapped within the sand. Have fun! It's worth it in the end...you're going to love it.

 

[JeffC]

sounds excellent...I'm looking forward to the process. I'll let you know how it goes and try to post a pic when I'm done. I painted the back of the tank tonight. Need to order a filter and heater than I'm on my way. Thanks again all.

 

[rmcder]

Everything he said but I add the sand first. It also helps to swish the sand around with your hand in the bucket to release any small particles that are trapped within the sand. Have fun! It's worth it in the end...you're going to love it.

I found that putting the sand in first doesn't work as well. Adding it slowly to the fast moving water makes it a one-pass job. As soon as you're done adding the sand to the bucket - you're done!

 

[balton777]

I found that putting the sand in first doesn't work as well. Adding it slowly to the fast moving water makes it a one-pass job. As soon as you're done adding the sand to the bucket - you're done!

Next time that's my new method.

 

[shaniqua]

YEAH. I USE PLASTERING SAND. like red said . put some in a 5g bucket. clean it out really well until its the water is clear when the sand settles. then BAM, sand.... i like it. makes my tank look better, i think.

 

[shaniqua]

BTW.. i put the sand in FIRST.... then i put a bowl or something in the tank... when i add the water, i turn the hose on low over the bowl. when the bowl fills, it overflows.. blah blah blah... the sand doesnt get moved around so the tank looks pretty clear. really fast.