Sticky Sand, True or False?

[KING1307]

Hey, question for all you out there, I've heard that only new sand sticks to stingrays. True, or false? I've had a setup for about half a year now and the sand still clings to the rays all over, will this eventually stop or am I doomed to sandy rays for my whole life?
Thanks in advance!

 

[fastfreddy]

I had the same problem years ago. I can tell by your avatar that your sand is just too fine. It drove me crazy because you can't enjoy the true color or pattern of your rays. I would go with a thicker grade. JMO

 

[KING1307]

aww damn, its gonna be such a pain in the ass to swap it over to something a bit heavier, i think ill wait a bit haha

 

[kjfan1]

Don't switch man. JMO I say let it stick.

 

[koltsixx]

How deep is your present sand now? Personally I buy Natural sand they sell it in bulk at some petstores. They're big bags of sand that's bein taken from beaches and treated. They're usually some wood and dry algae and requires extra cleaning then other sands, but when I switched over no more sticky sand rays for me. Plus it's cheaper than the artificial stuff. If your sand isn't too deep I'd just throw some in using a cylinder to contain what could be a messy transfer. Rays don't bury themselves deep so you should be goodafterwards. As far as that sand being too deep and harboring gases I've never had a problem with it. Though I change 35% of my water twice a week that includes stirring the sand, but I'm rewarded with crystal clear water. Hope this helps.

 

[KING1307]

thanks guys, although i think i will have to deal with the stickiness of it, I've got an inch, 2 in some spots, i've also got some live plants in there so thats why its so deep. I was contemplating just putting in some more sand thats a bit heavier but whats gonna happen is that its just gonna eventually all sink to the bottom of sand and ill be stuck with this light stuff ontop again. Im just gonna leave it for now, and when the horrible day of having the change my sand comes, ill just be wiser with my sand purchasing.

 

[fastfreddy]

You can do what I did but it's gonna take some patience. I had this stuff in a 500g tank so it took a while. I bought a very wide hose from Home Depot around 1 1/4" thick. I would siphon a bunch of it out every time I did a water change. Just stick the other end of the hose into a large container (storage container works great) and let it overflow. All the sand will collect in the bottom of the container. It's a lot easier and cleaner than scooping it out manually.

 

[spotfin]

You can do what I did but it's gonna take some patience. I had this stuff in a 500g tank so it took a while. I bought a very wide hose from Home Depot around 1 1/4" thick. I would siphon a bunch of it out every time I did a water change. Just stick the other end of the hose into a large container (storage container works great) and let it overflow. All the sand will collect in the bottom of the container. It's a lot easier and cleaner than scooping it out manually.

X2

 

[VIP FISH]

if you used pool filter sand you wont see that happen