A Few Questions

[phoenixgsd]

after advice from here i have changed to sand substrate, so now i have a few questions
1) how often do you stir the sand to release gases, and do you take the fish out for this?
2)frequent water changes, can i just scoop out water or do i have to disturb sand each time?
3)i got sand because i wanted kuhli loaches but have read on a thread here that they are escape artists, the lid on my tank has large cutouts for leads ect, will they still escape?

 

[MegaZerino]

after advice from here i have changed to sand substrate, so now i have a few questions
1) how often do you stir the sand to release gases, and do you take the fish out for this?
2)frequent water changes, can i just scoop out water or do i have to disturb sand each time?
3)i got sand because i wanted kuhli loaches but have read on a thread here that they are escape artists, the lid on my tank has large cutouts for leads ect, will they still escape?

1.how deep is your sand?? because i think it has to be about 3 or 4 inches deep for gas to build up
2.you can use a gravel vac and hover about an inch above the sand to suck up the waste without sucking up the sand

 

[FishFanatic04]

I made my own covers for the cutouts on my 10g so when I try to breed kuhlis they can't escape....I just stuck on some plastic I cut out of those page protectors for binders. Works really good...could just tape it on with masking tape or something....its in the back so no one can see it.

My sand is quite thick so I was wondering about stirring it too, especially since I have no idea how to stir it when its going to be heavily planted But I've never heard anywhere that you have to take the fish out, I'm guessing any gases would just rise up.

 

[phoenixgsd]

thank you, my sand isnt very deep maybe, 2" at the deepest (its not level) i didnt think you had to take out the fish but was just making sure, i might try the plastic pocket thing over my holes, i have way to many cats to have escapees and for them to survive, expensive snack

 

[snake007]

+1 on the above posts.

 

[`Peter]

1. Ty not to make any big slopes or dunes so gases build up inside the sand, try to keep the sand no more than 1.5 inches deep or so. Fish such as clown loaches if your tank is large enough or julii cories work well

2. do your weekly water change with gravel vac circle the area above the sand to pick up waste, you might get some sand but you'll get a hang of it.

3. Not sure about your loaches shouldn't be a problem tho

 

[Liam50]

don't need to stir the sand so long as you do a good job at the beginning and ensure there are no bubbles or other gaps in the sand. when it comes to water changes, you shouldn't have a build up of poo in a certain area unless you have poor circulation in the tank,.

 

[smokeyjo]

The gases problem is more of a myth than anything else. I've has sand for near enough a year now and not once have I had to stir it or had any gas build up.

 

[soybean]

The gases problem is more of a myth than anything else. I've has sand for near enough a year now and not once have I had to stir it or had any gas build up.

I've had sand less than 6 months, it's barely 1.5 inches at its deepest near the back, and the other day while replanting I encountered a random pocket of dark sand that once disturbed gave off the foulest rotten egg smell

I am always playing about in the sand replanting and rearranging decor, have 9 very active corys, not to mention 3 rams, and keep it clean. This was just an area that had become compacted for some reason. So no, it isn't a myth, as much as I would like it to be - ugh, that smell will haunt me!