Good Bacteria in gravel

[Eelzor]

I know that good bacteria lives mainly in the gravel, but what about sand? My sand is special aquarium sand, so is there a disadvantage or advantage or other things to watch out for with sand instead of gravel?

 

[Alien Anna]

Yes, same applies to sand. Just make sure you aerate your sand properly and stir it around when you change your water.

The major disadvantage with sand is that it can compact down and form anaerobic pockets which can breed nasty, sulphur-producing bacteria.

 

[Eelzor]

The major disadvantage with sand is that it can compact down and form anaerobic pockets which can breed nasty, sulphur-producing bacteria.

So, maybe mixing the sand around the bottom lightly once a week/month would be good?

 

[Lateral Line]

How much and how often depends on the sand. I use pool filter sand and find it hardly packs down at all, so a little gardening infrequently. I used to use silver sand where substantial gardening once evry week or 2 was in order.

 

[platypus]

How much and how often depends on the sand.

Also, if you have any fish that like to root around on the bottom, like kuhli loaches, then these will do the job for you to a certain extent.

 

[Eelzor]

What about my spiny eel for that job?

 

[Lateral Line]

Spiny eels work the sand over to considerable depth, however, in doing so, they invariably uproot all of your plants!

 

[CFC]

I put all my plants in my spiney eels tank into little pots so the eels cant uproot them, every once in a while i have to push to pots back down but the plants remain firmly rooted in.

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> my spiney eels tank into little pots

Yeah, that would be a good approach, although I suspect the plant root ball size would be limited by all the to'ing and fro'ing.

Malaysian Trumpet Snails also work over the sand to considerable depth of course.

 

[Eelzor]

never mind, ill just run my finger thru the sand once a week.