Switching to Sand Substrate

[Chromobotia]

Hi all,

I'm thinking about switching my substrate from gravel to sand. I figure that some of you out there have already done this. Please let me know your experience with this, positive and negative. Any regrets in doing it? What is the upside/downside in this move? Thanks.

 

[joedodge]

i started to one time in my 75 and stopd becaus it was horrible messy and hard i would love it but will only do it when i set up a new tankn

 

[haynchinook334]

pool filter sand....its easy to clean all you have to do is, clean sand really good.
drain 80% of water scoop all the gravel out, once all the gravel is out, add the sand. fill 1/2 way up with water, then drain 50% of that then fill all the way to the top.

 

[XxPrudencexX]

I did this on my 120 positives: um looks nicer and cheaper negative: some times it gets really messy if you do not clean it properly at the beginning..lots of dust particles. Filters may get damage (never happened to me but i only use canisters not HOV in this tank)

 

[Chromobotia]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have been doing some research and from what I've read so far Pool Filter Sand is the way to go. I assume that there are no negative effects on the fish since PFS wasn't made for acquariums. I am also going to read up on 3M's quartz sand.

My main concern in switching is sand ending up in my filters. I have a 150 gallon with 2 Magnum 350s on it. I guess if my intake isn't too close to the sand bed, there wouldn't be a problem with sand getting into the filter. Anyone have experience and/or comments on this?

 

[eskimo]

wel af first you wil have some sand , but not mutch . btw get yourself a fish that like to go through the sand . greetings

 

[haynchinook334]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have been doing some research and from what I've read so far Pool Filter Sand is the way to go. I assume that there are no negative effects on the fish since PFS wasn't made for acquariums. I am also going to read up on 3M's quartz sand.

My main concern in switching is sand ending up in my filters. I have a 150 gallon with 2 Magnum 350s on it. I guess if my intake isn't too close to the sand bed, there wouldn't be a problem with sand getting into the filter. Anyone have experience and/or comments on this?

i keep a ray, pbass, dats, arow, oscars, JD', FH, fronts, ven pike, catfish, blood parrot, bichers, gold fish, a high fin....ummm think thats it, with pool filter sand with no probs.

 

[roombo]

Take care not to pickup the sand when using an magnetic scrapper, it can scratch the glass.

 

[andres]

pool filter sand....its easy to clean all you have to do is, clean sand really good.
drain 80% of water scoop all the gravel out, once all the gravel is out, add the sand. fill 1/2 way up with water, then drain 50% of that then fill all the way to the top.

I have kept convicts, goldfish, guppies, NTT datnoids, AT datnoids, needlefish, dwarf gouramis, and tiger barbs with pool filter sand and NO issues.

I had issues with play sand and the black aquarium sand making the tank cloudy as well as stirring up very easily.

 

[TheOscarGuy]

Thanks for the replies so far. I have been doing some research and from what I've read so far Pool Filter Sand is the way to go. I assume that there are no negative effects on the fish since PFS wasn't made for acquariums.

I switched from gravel to sand ~3 years ago - I haven't had any issues with the fish health after the switch. I got my PFS from Lowes.

I am also going to read up on 3M's quartz sand.

This sand is very beautiful - however, costly, and tough to get, depending on where you are located. I have also gathered that this is more difficult to clean initially.

My main concern in switching is sand ending up in my filters. I have a 150 gallon with 2 Magnum 350s on it. I guess if my intake isn't too close to the sand bed, there wouldn't be a problem with sand getting into the filter. Anyone have experience and/or comments on this?

I have it with a pair of Trimac who, for the most part, are digging all day. I for one have not found a way to avoid some sand getting in the intakes of my power filter (AC 110), I simply throw away whatever gets into the filter. I have not had any issues in terms of its operation, again, since last ~3 years.

Please let me know your experience with this, positive and negative. Any regrets in doing it? What is the upside/downside in this move?

Positives for me are:

1. Looks better. I think this is very personal, though my Trimacs color contrast nicely with the light grains of the sand.
2. Easy to clean. That is, cleaning sand on weekly basis is easier, because everything will settle on surface (or sucked into the filter); in contrast I had a lot of gunk settle when I was using gravel.

Hope this helps!