Freshwater sand

[Mosmoove]

Can you put too much sand in and fish tank? I have a 55 gallon and no fish yet. I like to have my sand kinda thick, but if it will cause a concern, I will take some out. Thanks

 

[Avel1896]

Hello and welcome aboard
It is usually adviced to put 5 to 8 cm thick. If you want to create hilly area(s) you could use pozzolan (check its pH that can runs since 4 to 9 !) especially if you think to buy it in a gardencenter.

 

[Mosmoove]

Hello and welcome aboard
It is usually adviced to put 5 to 8 cm thick. If you want to create hilly area(s) you could use pozzolan (check its pH that can runs since 4 to 9 !) especially if you think to buy it in a gardencenter.

Thank you

 

[Byron]

Generally you want enough sand to provide a good bed for the many species of bacteria to live; this involves aerobic and anaerobic species of bacteria in addition to the nitrifying bacteria that most are more familiar with. If there are plants rooted in the substrate, they obviously need sufficient sand depth to keep them rooted. The following from one of my online articles may be of interest.

Substrate Bacteria​

​

The greatest population of bacteria in a healthy balanced aquarium occurs in the substrate, not the filter. The floc or humic compost that collects in the substrate is the host for the biofilms; this is why the substrate in planted tanks should never be disturbed significantly, and many aquarists apply this to non-planted tanks as well.​

​

In very general terms, aerobic nitrification takes place in the top 1-2 inches of the substrate; anaerobic de-nitrification takes place approximately 2-4 inches down, and anaerobic bacteria producing hydrogen sulfide occurs in substrates deeper than 3-4 inches. In all three cases, it will be deeper in coarse substrates (like pea gravel) and more shallow in finer substrates such as sand. These generalities will also vary with the presence of live plant roots and substrate “diggers” such as snails and worms, since these factors result in more oxygen being made available in the substrate, reducing anaerobic bacteria activity. An oxygen level in the substrate of as little as 1 ppm promotes nitrogen reduction rather than sulfur reduction (hydrogen sulfide).​

​

Maintaining a substrate of fine gravel or sand no deeper than 4 inches, having live plants rooted in the substrate, and keeping Malaysian Livebearing snails are the best and safest methods of providing a healthy biological system for aerobic and denitrifying anaerobic bacteria.​

 

[Avel1896]

You're welcome.

 

[Mosmoove]

Generally you want enough sand to provide a good bed for the many species of bacteria to live; this involves aerobic and anaerobic species of bacteria in addition to the nitrifying bacteria that most are more familiar with. If there are plants rooted in the substrate, they obviously need sufficient sand depth to keep them rooted. The following from one of my online articles may be of interest.

Substrate Bacteria​

​

The greatest population of bacteria in a healthy balanced aquarium occurs in the substrate, not the filter. The floc or humic compost that collects in the substrate is the host for the biofilms; this is why the substrate in planted tanks should never be disturbed significantly, and many aquarists apply this to non-planted tanks as well.​

​

In very general terms, aerobic nitrification takes place in the top 1-2 inches of the substrate; anaerobic de-nitrification takes place approximately 2-4 inches down, and anaerobic bacteria producing hydrogen sulfide occurs in substrates deeper than 3-4 inches. In all three cases, it will be deeper in coarse substrates (like pea gravel) and more shallow in finer substrates such as sand. These generalities will also vary with the presence of live plant roots and substrate “diggers” such as snails and worms, since these factors result in more oxygen being made available in the substrate, reducing anaerobic bacteria activity. An oxygen level in the substrate of as little as 1 ppm promotes nitrogen reduction rather than sulfur reduction (hydrogen sulfide).​

​

Maintaining a substrate of fine gravel or sand no deeper than 4 inches, having live plants rooted in the substrate, and keeping Malaysian Livebearing snails are the best and safest methods of providing a healthy biological system for aerobic and denitrifying anaerobic bacteria.​

So 3-4 inches is fine

 

[Byron]

So 3-4 inches is fine

Yes, with the conditions I mentioned, you should have no issues. But do not disturb the anaerobic areas, or it can kill the tank of fish.

 

[Mosmoove]

Thank you so much..

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I recommend 1-3 inches for a planted tank.