Yet again, another question about sand..

[Ash]

Just make sure that if you do any landscaping, so to say, in your tank, make sure you unplug the filter, cause even in the 55 gallon, if I move sand on one side, it alwaya seems to find its way to the other side and go right up the filter, and then all hell breaks loose, so just giving you a heads up.

Alright thanks, that helps alot, so basically If I do anything in that tank, turn off the filters and junk untill I am done and the sand settles back down?

 

[Fish_are_fishfood]

Alright thanks, that helps alot, so basically If I do anything in that tank, turn off the filters and junk untill I am done and the sand settles back down?

I would highly recomend it, becasue if you don,t and the sand gets in the impeller of the filter, unless you want to break the filter or listen to a horrible screeching sound that would wake the dead, then you have to clean out the impeller and filter right away. Depending on the filter size it may be easier than others, for the big one on my 55, its is an absoulute pain in the ***, but still I'd turn it off, I learned the hard way about that one.

 

[Ash]

I would highly recomend it, becasue if you don,t and the sand gets in the impeller of the filter, unless you want to break the filter or listen to a horrible screeching sound that would wake the dead, then you have to clean out the impeller and filter right away. Depending on the filter size it may be easier than others, for the big one on my 55, its is an absoulute pain in the ***, but still I'd turn it off, I learned the hard way about that one.

Thanks for the warning, that is very helpfull yah I have a big filter It's rated for up to 65 gallons, with Benefical Bacteria Bio section thing and a Bio wheel and the works, its pretty nice so I dont wanna screw it up. I'll be sure to keep it off while cleaning and adding things into it, and keep an eye on it. Thanks for the help!

 

[twk1]

If you want to avoid having to turn all the filters..etc. I recommend you using a overflow and a wet & dry filter, cause the sand will not flow around to the top surface of the water, unless you really stir up the water which i don't think should ever happen. So theres a really good choice of filtration for you to think about.

 

[vanimate]

Hi Ash,
Are you going to be using a python to clean your tank? If so theres a little trick i use to put back the sand that is accidentaly syphoned out , without it being sent down the drain.

 

[Ash]

Hi Ash,
Are you going to be using a python to clean your tank? If so theres a little trick i use to put back the sand that is accidentaly syphoned out , without it being sent down the drain.

yup I'll be using a python to clean it, so you care to share you little trick??

 

[vanimate]

ok ash so sometimes when your cleaning your sand , you might get to close to the sand and some will get sucked into the python, mostly if your not using the funnel part of the python. i take it off because i can get a stronger vacuum with it off and get more stuff from under rocks, etc. anyway i take a small bucket and put it underneath the faucet under the pythons output, so it catches the sand on the bottom but allows the waste and water to overflow into the sink. voila! I also attatch about a foot and a half extension on the end of the python with pvc tubing, so i can reach the hard to reach areas of my tanks without having to stand on a stepstool (no im not short) and stick my whole arm into the tank. theres your python tips for the day!

 

[Ash]

Alright I'll be keeping that in mind. =) Thanks for the help!! Yah I am short haha so that might help me more. Thanks!

 

[turtall]

Yah I was going to go all black, then I fig. It would be a little to black so I got the light colored sand, looking for some sort of a black rock, a fake cactus or two and a fake skull to pop in there with a black background.. think it'll look pretty cool. Yah its soft sand so then I am good. yay.

Sounds like a desert theme; I love it! There's some excellent desert wood, ocotillo, I think, that is all holey and would make a nice see-through cave. Know what I mean? I'd like to see a pic of your 'underwater desert' when you're done.
Good luck on the job hunt, also.

 

[iheartfishies]

What kind of sand are you using??

I got that tahitian black ****, I can't spell, at PETsMART.
It's the black sand.
I just threw it in the tank, and it sinks automatically, but so does the white variety buy the same company.
No cloudiness what-so-ever.
When you siphon it, it's just like gravel, it floats to the top of the siphon, but then goes right back down. I barely siphon any out, and with no hassle at all.
It's a god send sand.

Good luck.