Sand Bottom Tank?

[bgregson8904]

i will be moving in about six months and want to change my tank to a sand bottom when i do. i have heard from a lot of ppl that it can mess up ur filters.

wat if i set my filters higher in the tank?

how would i clean it?
i was lookin into get a blue crayfish. will that help keep the bottom clean?

 

[doresy]

Hi. as suggested by most, Argos playsand is both good and cheap. It has very little (if any) grit and is pretty clean BUT DO WASH THE DUST OUT BEFORE USE (you have been warned. Short cut will result in many weeks of cloudy water!)

Yes, just make sure that your filter intake is well clear of the bottom. When you water change use a standard gravel syphon vac but just sort of gently wave it about just above the sand surface to disturb the sediment and up it goes. Also now and again switch off the filter and using a stick (I use a chop-stick) gently stir the sand to release any gas build up. When finished, wait a few moments then switch the filter back on.

 

[8inary]

another one to consider is coral sand. I had previously sand in my tank, and it was ok, however saw coral sand in a shop and changed over. There are various types such as small grain, as I have or course.

just another choice for you to consider

 

[sykogngsta]

I used playsand for my tank. i had to wash it REALLY well to make it clean enough for my tank though. But when i added it in, the water barley cloudy for 30 min to an hour

 

[KraKen]

Unless you have african cichlids you shouldn't use coral sand as it will raise the pH.

 

[Cory_Dad]

another one to consider is coral sand. I had previously sand in my tank, and it was ok, however saw coral sand in a shop and changed over. There are various types such as small grain, as I have or course.

just another choice for you to consider

Well, that's easy for you to say, just look at that huge supply you have of in the background of your picture!

Doresy is right about keeping the intake high and about how to clean the sand. An added twist to the cleaning is to use a Python brand siphon hose but instead of attaching it directly to the faucet, attach an intermediary hose to the faucet, attach the Python adapter to the hose and place the adapter into a large pail. Then if you accidentally suck up some sand, the sand will fall to the bottom of the pail and the water will overflow the pail into the sink. You can then scoop out the sand and place it back into the tank.

You can also try to protect the cannister filter by placing a coarse filter onto the end of the intake pipe although that will cut down on your water flow.

Good luck.

 

[PhoenixsDeadAgain]

I recently changed to sand bottom and used play sand. Very cheap $2 something for a bag that covered a 30 long, and two 20 gallons.

Like it was said before you have to wash it out very well.

Just get a large bucket, fill it, set it under your tub faucet, let it run over the sand until it runs clear then start stirring it while the water is still running. I do a method of fill-stir-dump out water-repeat.

You will have a ton of sand all over your tub. Best method I have found to clean it up is to let it dry and sweep it up with a broom.

You'll notice a big difference in planting both real and fake plants. It is so much easier to keep them in place. My comet is an uprooter and I am loving it already.

Good luck!

 

[Bigpig]

I use Argos playsand also. Very easy to clean . Also I get it for free sister works in dispatch office where they make it lol

 

[drtim]

I use argos play sand, no problems at all.
The inlet for the externals are 2-3inches above the sand, with only minimal sand found on cleaning filter (which is every few months) and most of that is from the convicts diging!
Things to note with sand:
1) takes practice to clean of the poo! without sucking up the sand (a bucket with waste catches it well and then overflows is useful - sand remains in the bottom) but then the sand is cheap enought just to top it up as and when needed.
2) you should stir up the sand regularly (with filters off!) to release and toxic air bubbles created from anaerobic breakdown of the fishy waste.
3) since changin my clowns (especially) seem to be very happy!
hope this helps
t.