A lot of people use sand with no problem. For me it looks so bad, that I'll happily do a little extra work, but I get that it's too much for some people.
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Thinking to switch the substrate from tile to sand.. help pls?
- Thread starter giar
- Start date
With your current stock, and how low your intakes are. Youll have canisters full of sand like weekly. Just something to think about. Cichlids love scooping up sand and spitting it around.
A solution I read about on reef forums is that some folks put a thin layer of sand and then a clear epoxy over it. This way you get your natural look but benefits of bare bottom. Unfortunately it's permanent.
This is interesting. Maybe you could take tiles and epoxy the sand to the top. What would that look like?
I still wouldn't use it, but it certainly might sway some people over bare bottoms.
An alternative to pfs woukd be red garnet sand. Jist as cheap depending on your area
+1 for pfs.
When you get it home put it in 5 gallon buckets and flush it out with the hose, that will get most of that loose stuff that clogs up your filters out before it ever goes in your tank as I'm sure you know. I find half a bag and a 5 gallon bucket stick the hose to the bottom and swirl it around so you keep everything stirred the heavy stuff will stay the light stuff will all over flow out the top and you are left with pretty clean sand for your tank. Of course you can Stir It Up of course it will be more maintenance than tile however I like to watch my fish dig in it and as others have mentioned the detritus usually sits on top. Of course my monsters are just babies but I have not had issue with the amount of sand in the filters.
When you get it home put it in 5 gallon buckets and flush it out with the hose, that will get most of that loose stuff that clogs up your filters out before it ever goes in your tank as I'm sure you know. I find half a bag and a 5 gallon bucket stick the hose to the bottom and swirl it around so you keep everything stirred the heavy stuff will stay the light stuff will all over flow out the top and you are left with pretty clean sand for your tank. Of course you can Stir It Up of course it will be more maintenance than tile however I like to watch my fish dig in it and as others have mentioned the detritus usually sits on top. Of course my monsters are just babies but I have not had issue with the amount of sand in the filters.
+1 for quickcrete.use a thin layer.you can cover your intakes with sponge.your fish look great.another idea would be to add a few large river rocks,and few more driftwood pieces.plastic or silk plants can help change/add to your scape
Hows about starting off with a nice 3D background. That will definitely lively up the tank. Then add some nice fake plants. I personally like Fluval's decorative plants. You could leave the tiles in place and add a very small layer of sand or small gravel. Even have it only on one side and taper it off o the other side. With a very small layer you won't have to vacuum if there is proper flow and with the occasional stirring of the substrate. If either don't work out, you can easily remove them and be back to normal. A few large pieces of rock/stone would also go well with the driftwood and 3D background. Having some places for the fish to hide will as also bring out some of their other behavior characteristics.
Bare tanks are definitely great for maintenance but your beautiful fish deserve a beautiful tank IMO. Take a look at some of the pictures of our fellow members tanks and online for ideas.
Good luck!
Bare tanks are definitely great for maintenance but your beautiful fish deserve a beautiful tank IMO. Take a look at some of the pictures of our fellow members tanks and online for ideas.
Good luck!
