substrate help

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
C

crowconor

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Sep 1, 2008
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hanover,ma
i have gravel from homedepot but it is a bit jagged and i want to get a ray
so i was thinking pool filter sand so my q's are
1. how many bags for a 125
2. what are the cons
3. can i use undergravel w/ powerheads
4. how do i clean the sand

thanks conor
 
1. 3-4+ 50LBS bags more if you a thick layer.
2. It can tear up HOB filters if it gets in them, I would recommend a canister or wet/dry with sand.
3. No I don't think so, the sand will just fall through the UGF grate and might ruin the powerhead.
4. All the wastes just sits on top, so you just skim the surface of the sand with the siphon/python, really easy! You might suck up some sand so over a long period you will eventually have to add a little more sand.

Make sure you give it a really good rinse before you put it in the tank. Your tank will be a little cloudy at first when you add the sand but your filter will clear it up in a day or so. Here is a good quick video showing you how to do this....
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/videos/rinsing_sand.php
 
I'd go with one 50 pound bag. I'm not a fan of much substrate (too hard to clean).

You don't want a undergravel filter with rays (or sand). Too much waste in the tank.

You siphon sand but most of the stuff stays on the top.
 
is it very hard to maintain and it wont wreck my fx5 right
 
Try play sand or Leveling sand from Home Depot. Just rinse it really really well. Under Gravel filter isnt the best option for rays or an UGF as posted above. And a canister filter is also much better than a HOB because the water/debris is pulled through the filter media before it hits the pump in a canister filter unlike a HOB where it hits the pump impellers first. 4 bags of either sand will run you under $20
 
play sand is a bad idea. it's really dirty. pool filter sand all the way.
 
Austin;2414054; said:
play sand is a bad idea. it's really dirty. pool filter sand all the way.
Click to expand...

I agree, there is no reason to get play sand, it is full of clay which is really hard to clean out. Get pool filter sand AKA silica sand, it cheap and easy to use just rinse to get all the fine particles out. I use it on all my tanks, except for the bare bottom growouts.

Your FX5 will be fine (great choice!).
 
alright thanks for all help the help im not going to do it until after xmas but i will post pics then thanks
 
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