I am trying to add sand 50 -75 lbs to my current setup in a 260 g 30"high tank. I picked up 2 pup rays yesterday and they seem to like the small rocks as to my glacial rubble. I was thinking on using a tube I have from old sump return to pour sand into and have it go to bottom of tank that way, has anyone ever tried it and will the sand simply clog the mouth of tube when it hits the water. Do I need to clean sand somehow before adding to tank as well. My tank is pre-drilled and I have a 75g sump,I also use an fx5 on tank. I was thinking on shutting all down before adding to save impellers, and then turning on after "dust" settles a bit. Any other suggestions as to how to add sand would be appreciated. i will post before and after pictures.
Sand to existing setup
- Thread starter Meyjeffery
- Start date
What kind of sand are you looking to use? I would definitely rinse it regardless, some requires more than others. Most people just pour about 25lbs into a 5 gallon bucket and rinse it with water while stirring the sand. This will help wash away the small, dusty particles. When adding it to your tank, I would turn off all filters, pour it in and get it the way you want it, then turn the filters back on...
Going to LFS today to look and see what they have, 3 of them in the area. I want a natural look as my tank has lots of wood and rock already, live plants, and other small fish.
I like the tube idea. 
Make sure it's a large tube perhaps. Try a 4" piece of pvc pipe from the local hardware store maybe?
Make sure it's a large tube perhaps. Try a 4" piece of pvc pipe from the local hardware store maybe?
Just go to a Pool Filter Store and get some Pool Filter Sand. It's what I use in all my tanks and it's about $7-$9 per 50 lbs bag and is very easy to rinse in a bucket and looks great. You are going to pay to much in the fish store for it.
Get pool filter sand.. I got play sand and really regret it now.. If one of my fish decides to be ignorant and stir up some sand then it just gets everywhere.. Also, a lot of my sand gets sucked up when I clean, and less sand would get sucked up if I had pool sand.. not sure hoooow much exactly, but having pool sand would help there. Also, don't buy sand from your LFS. I'm sure it's a ton more. Play sand is like $5 for a 50lb bag at Lowe's.. and you'll need a couple.. Not sure on the cost of pool sand however
Thanks for all the ideas and comments, I did get sand from LPS and added it through 2.5 " tube, did fine, a little cloudy but started filters and it is already clear, will take pictures and post. Again thinks for fast responses