Gravel

[pnyklr3]

My fish seems much livelier since the switch. They are def searching the substrate more...the loaches love it!! I thought I liked my gravel, and sand would be too much work....WRONG! The sand looks so good, it only cost me $2.50 for my 55 gallon (could've even filled a 60 gallon with the bag), and its easy to clean. Just get your normal gravel vac, and instead of plunging it into the substrate, you will hold it just above the sand. Sucks everything, but the sand, right up. It takes a little practice, but you'll quickly get the hang of it. Your filter can remain the same, so long as it doesn't reach the top of the sand. Good luck!

 

[Barracuda518]

Thanks, It all begins tommorrow. Ill keep you updated B)

 

[playfulalliecat]

Not sure what kind of filtration you are using but you might want to think of some protection from the sand if its a hob type. Any type of power filter can suck up sand and it messes up the impellers inside. I had that problem when I had sand. I saw where JuanValdez had recommended putting a piece of sponge filter media in the end of the intake tube to filter the sand out before it goes in. I am sure that Juan has had experience with it so I would listen to him. We just ended up finding a very very small gravel and switching everything over again.

 

[Barracuda518]

Its a whisper power filter, if that helps any...

 

[Briarmoor]

Let us know how your switch goes, if you do all sand, or sand and gravel, and if you do one on each side, or mix the sand and gravel. I am considering sand for the big dream tank I am planning for Rainbows and want to see how everyone else likes it. I see lots of people doing it, but hear things about trapped gas bubbles and cleaning problems. Anyway, good luck and tell us about it when you are done.

P.
p.s. I have a small heater and cheap filter for a 2 gallon bucket that I use if I get a sick fish. Not good for jumpers. I just got a 1 gallon square plastic reptile container with a plastic lid with holes in it for temporary holding. No room for a heater, but okay for a less sensitive fish for a few minutes.

 

[cottonj21]

think I am going to do a gravel sand combo as well, I have quite a few plants so my idea is to put gravel at the back third of my tank and use that for my plants so i have a nice backdrop then sand in the front 2 thirds and use some small thin slate as a divider. I think with the amount of plants i have you wouldnn't really see the gravel. Also I have horse heads so i think they would sort out the toxic gas problem in the sand as they are forever burying them selves in the gravel.

Think i will give it a go in the next few weeks

 

[fatguppy]

We have a mixture of sand and gravel - we took the lazy option and simply put the sand on top of the gravel - it was less disturbance for the fish. however, as has been pointed out - the gravel gradually works its way to the top and you end up with the sand at the bottom and some gravel at the top. So we have added even more sand!

Obviously this is taking swimming room out of the tank. We have decided to do a major re-fit and take some gravel out so that the sand is the main substrate, however, we intend to leave some gravel at the back. I'll let you know how we get on - althoguh I have to say its not an imminent refit because it's such a major task. (We've got a 40 UK gallon 180 litre tank)

On cleaning the sand - we still use the siphon/vacuum thingy. This does suck up some sand from the bottom of the tank but it all sits in the bottom of the bucket and we then just add the sand from the bucket back into the tank. we've had no probelms so far. The corys absolutely love it! And they look even cuter snuffling through the sand. I also understand that even with rounded gravel their barbs can get eroded and make it difficult for them to feed. Good luck!

We have made the change and do not regret it one bit - apart from the extortionate amount we spent on gravel to begin with!

 

[Fish_Dude619]

I am thinking of switching to sand aswell, but once I heard about the gases that the sand produces can kill the fish, I am now having second thoughts...

How hard is it to stir up the sand, and how much needs to moved around?

 

[pnyklr3]

It is super easy to do. Just run your fingers through the sand and make sure to move the sand under any decorations as well (or just don't have sand underneath it). I have heard of someone using a comb, or somethign similar, to "rake" out the sand.

 

[Fish_Dude619]

It is super easy to do. Just run your fingers through the sand and make sure to move the sand under any decorations as well (or just don't have sand underneath it). I have heard of someone using a comb, or somethign similar, to "rake" out the sand.

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Ooh ic.. thats not to bad then.
How often do you gotta do this?