Switching to sand

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Gr8KarmaSF;1512731; said:
Sounds like you guys have it covered. I currently have two FX5's on my tank with pool filter sand. Havent had any problems, only suggestion I would make would be to shorten your intake tubes so that its less likely to suck up the sand. I keep mine towards the top of the water line (noticed your intake is really low). Thus far I have had ZERO sand in my filters!

:)

ohhh ya how does that little convict even stay alive in your tank with the ray? :screwy:
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Thanks for the info, I'm sure I can just slice my intake tube in half and put the strainer thingy back on!

That convict was the last feeder left from about 20 of them. Sold my 130 gal, and the buyer didnt want all the fish. No problem! I can take them:naughty: Free food for a week! :grinno:
 
Just make sure you rinse it really well.. Sometimes Pool filter sand has silicates in it. I have heard of 100% quartz pool filter sand, which can be purchased in larger sized granules for large scale pool operations..

For Planted Tanks you shouldn't worry about rinsing pool filter sand or planted substrates, because the finer and more diverse the substrate is, the better for the rooting systems. ;) Just have to let it settle and and do a planted cycling with no fish or filters for a while..

Anyways.. I have used pool filter sand with Rays.. and it was "ok".. I would seek out a fine smooth quartz gravel that is very small 'grain' sized.. make sure it's neutral with zero silica in it..
 
estes is nice....tahitian moon sand is good and the 3m stuff as well most of the pool filter sands ive seen are all silica based witch is abrasive and not good for fish
 
Thanks for more input!

Update : I went to a few pool supply stores in the area,
I found pool filter sand, very dark though. When dry has the color of "wet play sand" .

Is all pool filter this color?

Also. I found a variant of pool filter sand, they even kept it "in the back"

It was a beautiful "white sand" look. Absolutly gorgeous. But, it was called "silica sand"? Read up on it, and it seems to be lighter density and doesnt settle well. I also read that it encourages excessive algae growth. Are these valid facts?

Any other problems with silca sand?

I am looking into 3M sand now as well.
 
I use pool filter sand in one of my tanks and its alright.

If you go to fish gallery he has some fine gravel which is like a nice medium between sand and gravel. He uses it in his ray tanks. I've recently picked so up and the rays like its better than the pool sand. Plus it doesn't get stirred up as much and doesn't get into the filters. I also run a fluval fx5 and find that it doesn't like sand all that much.
 
Ok, so correct me if I'm wrong,

Silica is terrible for ray's, sharp edges, leaves little red bumps.

If I get pool filter sand, must be 100% quartz, because silica is bad for rays.
 
Tim;1514519; said:
I use pool filter sand in one of my tanks and its alright.

If you go to fish gallery he has some fine gravel which is like a nice medium between sand and gravel. He uses it in his ray tanks. I've recently picked so up and the rays like its better than the pool sand. Plus it doesn't get stirred up as much and doesn't get into the filters. I also run a fluval fx5 and find that it doesn't like sand all that much.
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Yeah, I just finished "substrate shoping" and saw what you mean, its very nice. I'm considering it. It's heavier particles, and so when the rays kick it up it doesnt stir much.
 
pool filter sand is the BEST~~!!! CHEAP~~!!! CLEAN~~!! GOOD LOOKING~~!!!

down side ? I dont have any negative experience of it...

use... er i dont know how to spell, but somebody must know wut i am talkin abt ... " Leseli ??" pool filter sand.. 50lbs for $11 ~~!!!

super great looking...
 
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