Hi all first time poster needing some advice. I am going to change my substrate in my 150 show tank to sand. I have the play sand all picked out and just need to go get it at Lowe's. I am going to get rid of the crushed shells I have now that were from Carib Sea when I set it up back in Januray. They were supposed to help with the ph of the tank etc...but I am just tired of it and since they are a light whitish gray in color they tend to collect and show algae which I cannot stand.
So...the sand is a given to swap out and first question is how many pounds of sand should I put in? The tank is a 150 tall. 4 feet long, 30 inches high and 24 inches deep. I have the back painted flat black and it is a very nice looking tank. I think I only have 100 pounds of the shells in there right now and it barely covers the entire bottom. Also, what color sand looks best? Do I just go with natural light tan or something else? I have seen all kinds but I am worried I would mix white and black and then not like it.
Next question is for anyone that runs a Fluval FX5. I have one up and running and love it. Best filter I have ever used aside from a sump under the tank. If I go to the sand won't pieces of sand get sucked into the Fluval causing problems in the pump motor? I have heard or seen somewhere where someone ran a "socK" or something similar over the intake to keep out little particles. Anyone know of anything I should do with that or do I just leave it be? I also run an Emperor 400 on the tank for a little extra bio load and mostly water movement.
Last question is also regarding the Fluval FX5. I replace the big mechanical sponges like every two months and just order them off of eBay from pet stores that have the lowest prices. Is there anything else you can use in place of those filter pads from Fluval? Can I use a floss and just pack the compartments full of that or will that cause quick clogging? I read somewhere that people use different sponges in their filters instead of what Fluval sells. Any advice on that would be greatly appreciated.
Forgot to mention that my tank is stocked with Male Peacocks and Male Haps.
Thanks in advance everyone and I hope to get some good answers from you pros out there.
Spank
So...the sand is a given to swap out and first question is how many pounds of sand should I put in? The tank is a 150 tall. 4 feet long, 30 inches high and 24 inches deep. I have the back painted flat black and it is a very nice looking tank. I think I only have 100 pounds of the shells in there right now and it barely covers the entire bottom. Also, what color sand looks best? Do I just go with natural light tan or something else? I have seen all kinds but I am worried I would mix white and black and then not like it.
Next question is for anyone that runs a Fluval FX5. I have one up and running and love it. Best filter I have ever used aside from a sump under the tank. If I go to the sand won't pieces of sand get sucked into the Fluval causing problems in the pump motor? I have heard or seen somewhere where someone ran a "socK" or something similar over the intake to keep out little particles. Anyone know of anything I should do with that or do I just leave it be? I also run an Emperor 400 on the tank for a little extra bio load and mostly water movement.
Last question is also regarding the Fluval FX5. I replace the big mechanical sponges like every two months and just order them off of eBay from pet stores that have the lowest prices. Is there anything else you can use in place of those filter pads from Fluval? Can I use a floss and just pack the compartments full of that or will that cause quick clogging? I read somewhere that people use different sponges in their filters instead of what Fluval sells. Any advice on that would be greatly appreciated.
Forgot to mention that my tank is stocked with Male Peacocks and Male Haps.
Thanks in advance everyone and I hope to get some good answers from you pros out there.
Spank
