Sand as Substrate

[jrd77]

I am beginning a 45 US gallon, flat-back hex tank. This is our first planted tank. We put a good layer of eco-complete on the bottom and then a nice layer of sand on top. My question is, how long does it take for all th sand to settle...the water is still a little cloudy...

 

[Grey Legion]

it can take a few days for the water to fully clear, if you are not in the process of cycling the tank a few water changes will help speed things up..

if you have a Hang On Back filter you may want to keep a eye on it so it does not start sucking up sand particles in the water..if you have a canister you'll be fine..

 

[WILDER]

If you have an internal filter you have to be careful with the sand as the sand buggers up the propellar thing, best to turn filter off and let the sand settle.

 

[rdd1952]

best to turn filter off and let the sand settle.

Of course this applies only if you don't have any fish in the tank.

It will depend on what kind of sand you used and how well you washed it. One other potential problem you will run into some where down the line is that the small granular sand will eventually filter down through the Eco Complete so that the sand is on the bottom and the Eco is on top. How deep are the layers of Eco and sand?

 

[jrd77]

Thanks guys!

My Eco layer on the bottom is about 2 inches and the sand about 1 for 3 total...

The type of sand is pool sand which is what my lfs uses.

It is clearing...slowly but surely.

I have planted 1 Wisteria plant and 6 sprigs of anacharis/elodea...

 

[newland]

Is this normal as my sand settled within hours and not days.

Is it uaually sue to the cleaning process used?

 

[beercan]

Took my sand about 3 days to clear.
I did notice my airstone stuck to the glass near the bottom meant sand was getting sucked up and around the tank, so I had to move it up higher.

 

[jrd77]

This morning it is all settled. It took 2 days.

 

[rdd1952]

Is this normal as my sand settled within hours and not days.

Is it uaually sue to the cleaning process used?

That is correct. I have found that the cheaper the price, the longer it takes to wash it clean and the longer it takes to settle. I used play sand on my first tank. I spent about 45 minutes washing 20 lb and after 5 days, I still couldn't see the back of the tank. I ended up doing a 100% water change to finally get it cleared up. The flip side of that is that I used Tahitian Moon Sand ($19.99 at Petsmart for 20 lb) in my 75 gallon. I washed 40 lb in 10 minutes and never had a cloud at all. When I poured water in and stirred the bottom, it settled immediately. The black sand also looks great with plants.

 

[jrd77]

Pool Sand was $5.00 per 50 gallons. It looks great.