Using sand as a substrate (advice needed)

[phreakph]

I purchased my 6yr old his first tank today, just a small 5gal set-up. He is going to do fancy guppies, figured he would enjoy the live birth and watching the babies grow up....Any way I have never used sand as a substrate before and I would like to try, first I am just using play sand....How would I go about cleaning it before I set the tank up, then how do you clean once tank is going? I use a "python" for my tanks, obviously that is much to powerfull, I thought about buying a small gravel vac. but I can see that just sucking up all of the sand!! Any help would be appriciated!!

 

[WeeNe858]

simply rinse the sand till the water runs clear

cleaning with the python is pretty easy because the gunk wont actually get in between the sand grains but rest on top of the sand

 

[phreakph]

Maybe I will just pick up a small gravel vac, my python is kinda big (lol) I could see it sucking up alot of sand even if I just skimmed the top, plus if the guppies get sucked up R.I.P!!! Seems sand is the way to go, I would'nt mind converting my tanks to sand, but that would be tough!

 

[sncboom]

I use a small gravel vac for my 20g with sand. I just hover an inch or so above the sand and it does a pretty good job but it may take a little practice before you're flawless in your attempts.

 

[keepinfish]

You might think about pool filter sand...cheap and clean

 

[kelwkatdady]

I second the pool filter sand...
its ALOT cleaner than the play sand...which means its easier to clean.

 

[phreakph]

Sounds good!!! I do appriciate the advice!!!

 

[smpage]

I'll give my two cents and say that the play sand works perfect for me. no problems whatsoever and it really didn't take much cleaning. apparently the play sand differs by area though. Although I back the play sand, if you don't want the hassle of rinsing and re-rinsing sand over and over again then the pool filter sand is the way to go.

 

[phreakph]

I got all my supplies, pics to follow later tonight! Once again thanks for advice!

 

[jerrym]

yay.. post pics when possible.!