Using Sand for the first time. Some questions..

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LBathory

LBathory

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Mar 25, 2008
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New Jersey
I just set up a new 55 gal and tried sand instead of gravel for the first time. I love the look (much more natural) But I had some questions. First off, how long does it usually take for the sand to settle? I just added it yesterday, but it seems really cloudy, is this normal? Also, are there any special things I should know about cleaning sand? Thanks if there is any other tips you want to share I would be glad to hear them.
-Adam

P.S: it's a fresh water tank if that makes any difference.
 
I use locally bought pool filter sand. It's pretty clean right out of the bag. A little dust, but nothing major. I never wash it. I just dump, fill the tank, and use. With a one micron filter bag, (which I always use for mech. filtration anyway) the water is crystal clear within a few hours. I find the pool filter sand I use raises the PH of the water slightly for a few weeks also, but then it returns to normal. I know everyone says pool filter sand is inert, but with the stuff I use, this is not the case, at least not at first.
 
i have pool filter sand in my 55, it took a day to settle, plus i added clarity by seachum. you need to make sure you "stir" up the sand once a week to get the deadly gas pockets out.
 
you should has washed the sand first

that would have reduced the amount of super fine particles and dust that cause the cloudiness
 
i am using sand right now and its is pretty much inert and was cloudy for about a day but you should wash it really well. just dont get any in your filters its a ***** to clean out of your filters. Also the deadly pockes thing only happens if your sand is to deep, and if you want your sand reall deep get malaysion snails if you keep them in check they are just like earth worms.
 
Thank you to everyone. I don't think my sand is too deep.. it's about 2 inches, is that too much? yeah i guess i should have cleaned it.. ugh, my mistake... I will put up some pix as soon as it gets clear enough to see/ i figure out how to put pix on my computer. Thanks again to all.
BTW: plattypus5420, what exactly is clarity by seachum?
 
Im getting fne grade gravel which is like coarse sand for my 112G im picking up tomorrow so this is really helpful. I do have one question though. It will be quite heavily planted so I wont be able to stir up most of the gravel. Will the fine grade gravel be fine where the plants are growing because of the roots or could there be problems?
 
sammy5772;1739583; said:
Im getting fne grade gravel which is like coarse sand for my 112G im picking up tomorrow so this is really helpful. I do have one question though. It will be quite heavily planted so I wont be able to stir up most of the gravel. Will the fine grade gravel be fine where the plants are growing because of the roots or could there be problems?
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It will be fine. I have never experienced hydrogen sulfate build up in any of my tanks. I never stir the substrate, most have sand, and some of these tanks have been set up for years. I guess it's possible with an extremely deep layer, but you wouldn't normally want a extremely deep layer anyway.
 
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