Thinking of adding sand as substrate any input ?

[Jacob92677]

Hey guys so I’ve been recently been thinking about adding a bed of sand for some decor purposes to my 300 (pool filter sand from Leslie's) any input olooks first ?
I feel sand looks better even tho majority of my tanks have been bare
I’ve kept this tank bare bottom as it’s seems
To have been easy to clean so far
it’s a 8x2x2.5 ft
so my cleaning tools now consists of 1/2
Hose attached to a 1 pvc pipe and i use it as a jumbo poop vacuum for water changes, with this I don’t have to get too involved in cleanings I can just aim pipe Into Spots and it gets the job done
don’t get me wrong ever now and them I pull everything and give it a more through cleaning when I have enough time
So second how much would it effect my cleaning routine will I actually need to vac the sand or can I just suck up what’s sitting above obviously ill
Lose sand over time I don’t mind that part
And lastly and other negatives to adding sand to a large aquarium



sorry for my run on sentences and poor punctuation I’m tired and well I’ve had a few drinks ?

some fish have been moved or sold
Pics are for reference

thx guys

 

[altums85]

Sand would def make the tank look better. Bad about sand is it can scratch the acrylic tank easy. So u have to be cautious cleaning the sides. A bit sand stuck to your cleaner and its game over.

 

[Jacob92677]

Sand would def make the tank look better. Bad about sand is it can scratch the acrylic tank easy. So u have to be cautious cleaning the sides. A bit sand stuck to your cleaner and its game over.

When i added sand to my 125 it made it so much more enjoyable I swear but I’m hesitant here because this is harder to get into than my 125

as far as the scratches I see the point with cleaning but in the last 7-8 months I can’t say I’ve ever had to wipe the insides of the acrylic ?gets almost no algae and what it does my flagtail amd pleco eat up
The tank is in my garage and gets no
Sunlights unless I open the doors

 

[tlindsey]

Never owned a Acrylic Aquarium but sand is not difficult to remove waste if proper sand is added for the substrate. Pool filter sand is what most recommend but I personally have play sand in a couple of my aquariums and is a little challenging because it's so light. Like you stated just Hoover over the sand to remove fish waste and excess food during water changes.

 

[biguebs]

I’m getting ready to setup a new 125.. I’m also making the jump to sand (from gravel) for a couple reasons.

Awesome tank you have!! Think sand would look great in there

 

[Jacob92677]

Well guys my job just informed me i have to take next week off with no pay so looks like I’ll have the time next week to wash 200lbs of sand ??

 

[skjl47]

Hello; Part of the problem with sand is how dirty the sand can be unless very thoroughly cleaned. Sounds like you will have the time to do a good cleaning.
Another thing with sand is the small particle size even when cleaned. Scratching the glass or acrylic can happen but in my experience some other damage can happen. It will get into filter systems and cause wear and damage to things like impellers.

Here is what I have done. I get the relatively cheap construction sand. It is very dirty so needs a good cleaning but it also has a range of particle sizes in the mix. Before I clean it I make a screen or use a sieve to grade the sand for particle size I want. I dry sift the sand to get rid of the smaller stuff and save the size I want. Then it is some easier to clean as the fine dust and very small stuff is gone.
Good luck

 

[Jacob92677]

Very good idea. S skjl47 that will help because I’m dreading having to clean 200+ lbs of sand
By my self

I was worried about sand getting to the intake of my filters I run 3 fxs
I do keep my intakeS about at the half way point
So not too close to the bottom but still it crossed my mind I do plan to do a large sump soon

 

[skjl47]

I was worried about sand getting to the intake of my filters I run 3 fxs

Hello; If the fish in your picture are typical they can and likely will stir up the sand. It can be stirred up during a WC. I stopped using the finer sized sand because of impeller damage. That is why I came up with the idea to grade out some larger and heavier particles in essence a small gravel.
I do not know about pool filter sand or Home depot sand. Back in 1959 when I started I used sand from a local construction supply place.

 

[fishguy1978]

I have this in my 220g and 100g. It does need a good rinse. My Shellies in the 100 do like to move it around.

My fish room

This is my most recent video of my fish room. I am in the process of improving my fish room. https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCzFMg49B6DUS1whHwG7lkuw

www.monsterfishkeepers.com

SAKRETE 100 lb. Silica Sand 65200396 - The Home Depot

Lane Mountain Co. - 100 lb. Silica Sand - Can be used in commercial and industrial applications. Should not be used for sand blasting. Made from natural silica. Screened to a uniform size. - THD SKU# 314384

www.homedepot.com