what type of sand?
- Thread starter born2lovefish
- Start date
I was wondering, how do you clean the sand in the tank? When you vacuum gravel it falls out of the siphon, wouldn't sand be too light and go out the hose?
yes sand will get sucked up a siphon so you have to be more careful but sand is also packed tighter and thus the junk you want to vacum out usualy stays on top of the sand.Magenta;501575; said:
OK, so you don't really vacuum the sand like you would the gravel. Just like a light vacuuming. Hmmm now I want to try sand 
About $6-$8 for 50lbs bag.
Hhmmm, spa store. Hadn't thought of that one...Touche'
I used a power head with a larger version of a gravel cleaner mounted to it (adjusted flow so the sand lifted half way up tube) to vacuum the the sand completely once a month (to help prevent anaerobic bacteria from forming in sand, I keep that for my filters), with surface cleaning once a week.
Dr Joe
.
Hhmmm, spa store. Hadn't thought of that one...Touche'
I used a power head with a larger version of a gravel cleaner mounted to it (adjusted flow so the sand lifted half way up tube) to vacuum the the sand completely once a month (to help prevent anaerobic bacteria from forming in sand, I keep that for my filters), with surface cleaning once a week.
Dr Joe
.
Sand is a mix of two types of particals, generally referred to as platy and angular.
Platy particles tend to be rounder and are more prevelant in sands that have been "worked" ie tumbled long enough to knock the rough edges off. Where do you find it? At your local beach is probably the best place.
Angular particles are rougher and have sharper edges. They tend to be less soluble and are more prevalent in quarried sand. Masons and brick layers are familiar with bank sand (more platy materials) and sharp sand (more angular). The right mix of these sands is important when making mortars and concrete.
In aquariums the sharpness of the sand has a direct impact on how densely compact the substrate layer will become and how dificult it will be to clean. Your better off to use either a clean bank sand or beach sand mixed with a fine crushed coral to ensure good microbe populations and water quality.
If the rays get sore tummys then maybe someone can knit a little sweater for them?
Platy particles tend to be rounder and are more prevelant in sands that have been "worked" ie tumbled long enough to knock the rough edges off. Where do you find it? At your local beach is probably the best place.
Angular particles are rougher and have sharper edges. They tend to be less soluble and are more prevalent in quarried sand. Masons and brick layers are familiar with bank sand (more platy materials) and sharp sand (more angular). The right mix of these sands is important when making mortars and concrete.
In aquariums the sharpness of the sand has a direct impact on how densely compact the substrate layer will become and how dificult it will be to clean. Your better off to use either a clean bank sand or beach sand mixed with a fine crushed coral to ensure good microbe populations and water quality.
If the rays get sore tummys then maybe someone can knit a little sweater for them?
Potts050;503234; said:...
If the rays get sore tummys then maybe someone can knit a little sweater for them?
I am so glad you found MFK. Great info too, thanks.
so you're telling me that stingrays would be absolutely fine, and would thrive in tanks with pool filter sand that contains silica as sbustrate? cause this was the only reason holding me back from adding a ray into my tank...cause i just heard that it would irritate their bellies..please reply or feedbacks would be great..negative or positive..thanks in advnacedCHOMPERS;501032; said:
Simply put, pool filter sand is large grained and round too. You will love the stuff and your rays will too.
Good luck,
Ron
Good luck,
Ron
