Live Sand?

[Sara0229]

I'm still planning out my set up for my 55gal brackish tank and have decided to start it with plants and then move to fish (possibly puffers and gobies). I was wondering what type of substrate I should get? Gobies, from what I've read do well with fine sand and as long as I'm feeding my plants I shouldn't have any trouble with that aspect. I am thinking live sand. Anyone use this? The cost seems worth it but as I've never had sand in an aquarium I'm not sure about cleaning and filtering and such. Any advice?

 

[nmonks]

There's no huge benefit to using live sand unless the salinity is quite high, SG 1.010 or more.

Instead, I'd recommend a simple mixture of plain fine gravel, silica sand, and coral sand. A ratio of about 1:3:1 should work nicely. Throwing in some pulverised mussel or oyster shell fragments will add a nice authentic touch. I don't tend to use all coral sand because then the brackish water aquarium looks like a dull marine tank. Plus, too much coral sand will harden the water too much for many aquarium plants. Indeed, if you're going for SG 1.001-1.003 so you can keep plants in the tank, skip the coral sand entirely.

Do remember that if you don't have plants, then the sand or gravel need not be -- and probably shouldn't be -- too deep; an inch/2.5 cm is ample.

Cheers, Neale

 

[Sara0229]

Thanks Neale. Live sand is soo expensive as compared to other sands. I was reading that some just use play sand (which is what I use for my land hermit crabs with no ill effects). I'll look into the mix you suggested. Will this be good for gobies? Because this week I'm thinking puffers and gobies. I also read that sand needs special attention, periodic stiring so dead pockets don't appear but I was a little concerned about my filtration and concerned that my filter could get clogged. I'm not sure the brand of filter as it came with the set up but it is just your typical over the back filter. The mix you mentioned sounds pretty good, my well water tests really soft so some coral would help with that. I am planning on doing plants and it was suggested that pure sand would not be a problem as long as I fertilized regularly.

Any suggestion are much apprecieated! I'm trying to take this one step at a time, being informed and knowlegeable about the set up and care and probably putting WAY too much thought into it!

 

[nmonks]

I also read that sand needs special attention, periodic stiring so dead pockets don't appear

Do NOT do this! Sand should be left alone. It's stirring that causes problems, at least if the sand is more than an inch deep. If it's shallow, the gobies will happily keep it sifted and clean. Deeper sand separates into layers colonised by different bacteria, and it's crucial these are not disturbed. Over time they remove nitrate and convert it into nitrogen gas, but stirring disrupts this and can release pockets of gas all at once, leading to problems. So just like a marine DSB, you leave a sandy substrate alone.

Sand is perfectly compatible with any filter; just make sure the filter inlet is a couple above the sand, and that the fish aren't big enough to swoosh sand into the inlet when they dig.

You certainly can use plain sand in planted tanks, but I find adding a little gravel makes it look a bit more natural.

Cheers, Neale

 

[iliveinazoo]

You could always have a layer of aquasoil of some kind capped with sand and/or gravel to give you extra peace of mind for your plants.