How much sand will I need

[Discomafia]

The tank is standard 20 1/4 x 10 1/2 x 12 9/16... How much sand will I need for 2" of susbrate? Home Depot sells play sand but it's only in 20 kgs... And in no other sizes... I'm probably not going to need so much, that's the thing. I can probably get some pool filter sand but haven't seen any at stores yet. So any ideas?

Cheers,

 

[Teelie]

Pool Filter sand you'll also find in bags of 20 pounds/9kg? or more. I would say for 2 inches, about 10 pounds/4,5kg? of sand though you should only need 1 inch unless it's going to be planted. 2 inches raises the probability of gas pockets which you don't want.

The smaller bags of aquarium sand you'll find at fish stores are probably a better chocie, though you'll end up paying more.

Sorry, not up on my measurement conversions.

 

[Discomafia]

Yea it's going to be planted with a java fern... And since they're easy to transplant, I'm probably going to get a few cuttings and place them in a couple of spots... Also I'm getting 2 ADFs and I was told that 2" is best...

Cheers.

 

[Discomafia]

2 inches raises the probability of gas pockets which you don't want.

Can't I stir up the sand every now and then to release the gases? I read that somewhere on this forum. Won't that cloud the water? And I'm going to get a few MTS and that helps too, doesn't it. Or can anyone recommend any other snails that burrow into the sand and help to decrease the possibility of gas pockets, because MTS are kind of hard to find over here...

Cheers,

 

[Teelie]

If it's planted and there are MTS, you won't need to stir it as those will do the job for you. 2 inches is good for a planted tank since rooted plants need the space to grow. I don't know of any other burrowing snails unfortunately.

 

[Discomafia]

If it's planted and there are MTS, you won't need to stir it as those will do the job for you. 2 inches is good for a planted tank since rooted plants need the space to grow. I don't know of any other burrowing snails unfortunately.

Thanks for all your help! Might have to ask the lfs to ship some MTS over when they make their next order cos' none of the lfs here carry them.

Cheers,