Stupid questions about sand and compatability with...

[terd ferguson]

This is probably a stupid question. Logic tells me it's probably not possible. But I don't know for sure so I yield to the hive mind of genious that is monsterfishkeepers.

1. If I put sand in my new tank, can I have an air stone buried like I do with my gravel so you can't see it? Logic tells me it will just blow sand every whichaway.

2. If I can't have the air stones buried, how about this?... If I run 2 Penguin 1140 powerheads (300 gallons per hour each), will that be enough oxygenation (is that even a word?)? I am also running an Emperor 400 and an Emperor 280 for filtration (and some oxygenation, I guess) on a 55 gallon tank (4' long by 1' wide by 21" tall).

3. With regards to the sand, I have heard that the poop accumulates on top instead of sinking down with gravel. I have also heard that running powerheads hides it. How do I make this happen (making the poop not as visible). In other words, do I aim them in a certain direction? I think I'm clear as to how to vacuum the poop up without vacuuming up sand, but any pointers you have regarding this would be appreciated as well.

I think that's all the stupid questions about sand substrate I have at the moment. If I think of any more, I'll post them here in this thread.

Thanks in advance for any and all help and/or suggestions. And thanks for this great forum. I don't how I lived before I found this place.

 

[Dr Joe]

The air will blow the sand away from the air stone...you could hide it in the little castle . Seriously, you could put it behind a rock or piece of driftwood.
Put it in a 9" piece of PVC and use it like an air lift, you will only have bubbles at the top but plenty of 'aeration' or the water.

Aiming the powerheads so the detritus accumulations in one or two areas is the trick, just takes a little trial and error.

Post some pix so we can see .

Dr Joe

.

 

[toehead11183]

just hide it in a rock, behind some driftwood or ive even put an airstone inside a HOB filter, it oxygenates the water before it returns to the tank

 

[Wolf3101]

Both of those Emporers will provide all the O2 you need. the only think air stones really do is move the water...the O2 exchange takes place at the serface.

 

[terd ferguson]

Thanks for reassuring me. I figured I didn't need them anyway (the airstones, that is). I think that with the filters and the two powerheads I should have plenty of oxygen, I just needed to hear some other people say it.

 

[Greenaveli]

ive even put an airstone inside a HOB filter, it oxygenates the water before it returns to the tank

I dont use airstones but I like that idea. Good one!

 

[krzr3000]

I bury air stones in sand all the time and all you see is bubbles...not that deep either maybe a centimeter.

 

[terd ferguson]

Well, I ditched my gravel last night and picked up the sand today. I think I'm going to be happy with the results. I guess I've decided not use the air stones as the Emperor 280 and 400 and 2 Penguin 1140's will be enough aeration.

Oh, and the sand I got was 3M's Color Quartz in black T grade, $30 per 50 lb. bag from a local distributor. I'll post some pics when it's ready. Thanks again.