new with sand

[balloon molly]

hi guys(and girls)
i have a few questions on having a aquarium with sand

1)how long does sand take to settle on the bottom?
2)how long will sand take to cycle with out fish(or is it the same as gravel?
3)how can you syphon detritus from sand with a python no spill hose?

thank you for your time in reading this

 

[kev_kb]

1) A few seconds if its been washed well.
2 & 3) Don't know.

 

[The-Wolf]

1) see above
2) same as gravel
3) don't know.

 

[enchanted]

1.) a. see above. b. many water changes. c. days to weeks....

2.) as wolf said

3.) sand is actually easier because everything stays on top. To be honest I get very little on the sand because the corys are always kicking it up and it gets filtered. Gravel is actually harder because it gets down inbetween it. I do have to syphon off my rocks all the time though.

 

[balloon molly]

ok so sand is easier han gravel?

now for me the question now is what color light or dark

 

[balloon molly]

ok one more question would the sand clog up the pipes in my house?

 

[The-Wolf]

ok so sand is easier han gravel?

now for me the question now is what color light or dark

thats a personal preferance

ok one more question would the sand clog up the pipes in my house?

why would you be pouring sand down you drains? an no it wouldn't unless you dummped a lot at one go.

 

[balloon molly]

no i was worried that just incase i syphoned some sand
but like a small amount.
.im getting my 20 gall and equipment tonight

 

[DeadlyAlliance]

I would like to chage from gravel to sand in my 46 gallon tank with 1 female black molly but how do i do it? Would i have to set up the tank all over again?

 

[balloon molly]

i think so but keep your filter media

 

[sharktale]

When I changed from gravel to sand, I did it in 2 goes, I removed half the gravel (I used playsand from argos), washed it really well and put half in left it nearly a week and did the other half. I had no problems and I didn't need to remove my fish they loved being nosey I have just added a pic of my tanks on the picture thread if you want to have a look. I find it very easy to clean, I just run my fingers through the sand before a water change and use a syphon hose, just have it a couple of mm above the sand and it removes the poo and no sand gets sucked up. My golden bristlies and my corys love it

Julie

 

[DeadlyAlliance]

Thanx what would be the best sand to buy? I mean like what brand and that sort of stuff?

 

[balloon molly]

that was my question but i am going with the tahitian moon sand

 

[daddyo72]

I personally use play sand but everyone is different. Buy the bags of sand and put the sand one bag at a time into a five gallon bucket. Place a hose into it and watch as the veru fine crap flats away. Stir the sand often and dont stop until the water is clear. A good rule of thumb is" when you think your done rincing sand rinse some more." Trust me when rincing the sand it WILL end up being clear. The end result in your tank will be when you eventually add plants and such, disturbing the substrate will produce a small sand plume thar should Immediately settle.