Is It Ok To Use Snad ?

[ceech]

Will it be ok to use sand in a planted freshwater tank?
i would like to have 1.5 to 2 inches of sand.
If so how much should you stir it to top any gases
from building up.I want sand as there will be corys in the tank .

 

[baron von bubba]

Will it be ok to use sand in a planted freshwater tank?
i would like to have 1.5 to 2 inches of sand.
If so how much should you stir it to top any gases
from building up.I want sand as there will be corys in the tank .

sand on its own is fine, i would personally have a more nutritious substrate underneath tho, just top with sand.
if the tank has a decent amount of plants you would need to worry about gas build up in the substrate the roots of the plants will keep this in good condition, besides you wont be able to get to a lot of the substrate anyhow.

 

[ceech]

i plan to use some ready made substrate for the plants to feed offf under the sand so i do.
would once a week be enough to give the sand a good stir ?
the tank is 260 litre tank and will be doing 25% water change every 2 to 3 weeks.

 

[BigIan]

if your putting a neutrient substraye inderneath the sand you won`t want to be stiring it as most substrates like that will cloud your water

 

[KittyKat]

I have used sand on its own in my planted tanks before. I used 2-3 inches at the front and 4-5 at the back for the plants, stirring it once or twice per week. I also had MTS in there to help with the turning.

 

[liana_y2kuk]

This has just reminded me that i have to stir my sand. lol

kat

 

[aaronnorth]

This has just reminded me that i have to stir my sand. lol

kat

you dont have to stir sand, anaerobic pockets are harmless to fish, as it is instantaneously oxidized upon contact with the water.

 

[KittyKat]

This has just reminded me that i have to stir my sand. lol

you dont have to stir sand, anaerobic pockets are harmless to fish, as it is instantaneously oxidized upon contact with the water.

Yes you do: it is the pockets of nitrogen gas which are bad that build up in the substrate.

 

[baron von bubba]

This has just reminded me that i have to stir my sand. lol

you dont have to stir sand, anaerobic pockets are harmless to fish, as it is instantaneously oxidized upon contact with the water.

Yes you do: it is the pockets of nitrogen gas which are bad that build up in the substrate.

if the tank is planted sufficiently then this really wont be a problem, the plant roots will keep the substrate in good condition.

 

[Truck]

This has just reminded me that i have to stir my sand. lol

you dont have to stir sand, anaerobic pockets are harmless to fish, as it is instantaneously oxidized upon contact with the water.

Yes you do: it is the pockets of nitrogen gas which are bad that build up in the substrate.

that is incorrect, just think about it, the air is made up of 79% nitrogen, so about 79% of the various gasses in the water will be nitrogen, nitrogen is harmless to fish. nitrogen is actually the product of the anaerobic bacteria converting nitrates to nitrogen. so you have nothing to worry about whether it be hydrogen sulphide which will oxidize into hydrogen dioxide.

 

[aaronnorth]

This has just reminded me that i have to stir my sand. lol

you dont have to stir sand, anaerobic pockets are harmless to fish, as it is instantaneously oxidized upon contact with the water.

Yes you do: it is the pockets of nitrogen gas which are bad that build up in the substrate.

Nitrogen gas is a good thing. It builds up the main part of the nitrgon cycle Without it, we wouldnt even be able to keep fish.

Hydrogen Sulphide is the dangerous gas, but this is oxidised instantly upon contact with the water. How do we know it will be oxidised? Because if it wasnt, then that would mean there wasnt enough O2 to support aquatic life in the first place.

It is converted into water & suplhurs. It is the sulphurs that give off the egg smell.

H2S + 2O2 => HSO4- + H+

Take it into the science forum if you want more facts on the subject, but i guarantee you will be told the same thing. Or do a search on google.

Thanks, Aaron