This is to help people so they don't make the same mistakes I made with my first tank with Play Sand Substrate.
1 - It will take about 75 lbs of playsand for a 55 Gallon tank. I recommend buying extra since it runs only about $2.50 for 50 lbs.
2. Make sure that your gravel vacuum can reach a sink or window and you have a hose available. You will want easy access to an "on/off" for the hose so I recommend just a spray nozzle that you can remove.
3. Put about 1/2" to 1" sand over what you want in the bottom of the tank.
4. Fill with water, yes, it is going to be extremely dirty water.
5. Now setup your gravel vacuum so it is siphoning out the window or into a kitchen sink.
6. Once down about a quarter turn your hose back on inside the tank and let it run as the vacuum siphons water. When it gets near the top shut the hose off and let it keep cyclying.
7. Mix the sand up, you can use the spray nozzle, but I don't recommend it.
8. repeat steps 6 & 7 until the water is clear.
Hope this helps people.
1 - It will take about 75 lbs of playsand for a 55 Gallon tank. I recommend buying extra since it runs only about $2.50 for 50 lbs.
2. Make sure that your gravel vacuum can reach a sink or window and you have a hose available. You will want easy access to an "on/off" for the hose so I recommend just a spray nozzle that you can remove.
3. Put about 1/2" to 1" sand over what you want in the bottom of the tank.
4. Fill with water, yes, it is going to be extremely dirty water.
5. Now setup your gravel vacuum so it is siphoning out the window or into a kitchen sink.
6. Once down about a quarter turn your hose back on inside the tank and let it run as the vacuum siphons water. When it gets near the top shut the hose off and let it keep cyclying.
7. Mix the sand up, you can use the spray nozzle, but I don't recommend it.
8. repeat steps 6 & 7 until the water is clear.
Hope this helps people.
