Thinking of going the sand route... advice?

[BrightSun]

Hi there. We're picking up a 135g that will be FW later this week, and have been mulling over what will go in it. It has all sorts of decoration already and comes with gravel/river rock, which is what we have in our smaller tanks currently. I was thinking that sand looks really lovely, but I'm not sure if it's a good choice for us or not. We tend to have problems with algae from (we're guessing) our water supply, since both tanks have it. It is worse in the tank whose filter just broke, though, so filtration may have been the culprit there.

I don't know what kind of filter is coming with the new tank.

Advice, suggestions, or ? I think sand is great-looking, but if it's a pain to maintain I want nothing to do with it, lol.

 

[Luc53]

Are your tanks getting too much light? Had the same problem with mine as it's right next to a window.

I ended blocking off the back & 2 sides and the problem is much reduced needing only a quick clean of the glass each 2 weeks.

Luc

 

[elmorgo]

you shouldnt be having algae problems, if your tank is in the right locations with adequate filtration. you can just get some species that like sifting through the sand they will prevent the algae taking hold in the substrate.

 

[CODzilla]

I use the gravel vac on the sand the same I would on the gravel with each water change and nothing ever takes a grip on the sand. This also helps to break up any air pockets that could hold harmful gasses.

 

[BrightSun]

well Luc neither of them are near windows, but putting up blocks might be something that would help- thanks!

Thanks for the advice so far, everyone, I was doing some more research online as well and it sounds like it wouldn't necessarily be too much trouble.

 

[navykorman]

If you go with the sand... use pool filter sand. I would reccomed that you dont use play sand. It is cheap but it doesnt settle very well and everytime you clean it stirs up. Its more hastle then anything. But with the pool filter sand it settles alot better and its just a few bucks more. A 50 pound bag is only 9 dollars.
Just make sure to wash the sand prior to putting it in to the tank. If you dont your water will be cloudy for a few days till it clears up.

 

[clownie33]

sand is easy all the crap just sits on top and when you clean all you have to do is hover with you gravel vac and as far as what type i would recommend black tahitian moon sand

 

[BrightSun]

thank you, we are thinking of going the pool sand route. I like the tahitian moon sand but not the price tag. We may use the suggestion of play sand and paint the back of the tank black; that could look really nice in our house

 

[CTU2fan]

Sand is very easy to maintain, a few tips, don't put a lot of sand, 1/2" or so deep is fine. 2 50lb bags should be more than enough. Also if you have enough current coming from your filter(s), or you put in a small powerhead or 2 to give you more water movement, the crap should be pushed right to your filters.

Also, something you could try (I haven't yet, but I'm playing with the idea) is mixing some of the gravel/rock you're getting with the tank in with your sand. I've seen pictures and it looks very natural; you'll find that plain pool filter sand looks a lot like the beach.

 

[BrightSun]

Also, something you could try (I haven't yet, but I'm playing with the idea) is mixing some of the gravel/rock you're getting with the tank in with your sand. I've seen pictures and it looks very natural; you'll find that plain pool filter sand looks a lot like the beach.

that sounds like it could look really nice.... I might try that, thanks!