Sand Instead Of Gravel

[scottish_ash]

i figured out i was doing it wrong i have managed 2 buckets now only  a little bit left to go and all will be done,
 
i have seen people saying to put some of the stones into tights and sit on top of the sand for a few days to let bacteria transfer do i need to do this?
 
i feel daft bothering you all with these questions 
 
you must have a lot of patience fluttermoth lol 
 
i really do appreciate you taking the time to help me tho 

 

[fluttermoth]

Don't bother with the gravel in tights. The bacteria cling on to surfaces quite strongly, so they won't really 'swim off' and move into the filter. As you can't test for ammonia, I'd do a 25 or 30% water change every day for two or three days after you've finished, just to be on the safe side

I do have a lot of patience, and a lot of spare time, so it's no trouble at all for me to help out

 

[scottish_ash]

ahhh ok and I'm going to buy another test kit tomorrow what is it I'm looking for? 
 
one with the little bottles? 
 
and aww bless ya thank you so much 

 

[fluttermoth]

If you can afford it, get tests for ammonia and nitrIte (not nitrAte!), as they're the two most toxic substances. As your strips do test for nitrite, although not that accurately, get the ammonia test, if you can only afford one.

Yes, the ones with the little bottles. API, Nutrafin and Salifert are all good, reliable tests.

 

[scottish_ash]

well i went ahead and done it will post before and after pics once tank settles, my corys are already digging away in the sand lol,
 
thank you all so much for your advice you have all been so patient and helpful to me 
 
A HUGE thank you to fluttermoth tho you have been an amazing help to me  

 

[thefishnoob]

I wish I could have helped! I personally love sand. Just a warning, be careful with power filters and sand. Make sure you have a prefilter sponge as sand in the impeller can damage/break the filter. 

 

[scottish_ash]

trying to upload a before and after pic for you all but I'm  not sure how to do it, 
 
can anyone help me? 

 

[fluttermoth]

If you click on 'More Reply Options', down at the bottom right you should see a page that gives you an 'Attach Files' option, bottom left.

It's bit mean with file sizes though, so it might be easier for you to upload them to a hosting site, like Photobucket or Flickr, and use the IMG code.

 

[scottish_ash]

http/i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh570/Scottish_ash/Mobile%20Uploads/20140319_204449_zps0xchzoyk.jpg
 
this is the before pic will upload an after in a sec  

 

[scottish_ash]

http/i1252.photobucket.com/albums/hh570/Scottish_ash/Mobile%20Uploads/20140327_183001_zpsly5lo25e.jpg
 
and the after pic.. I'm well happy with the result
 
in here i have
 
one female betta
3 panda corys
and 6 neon tetras  
 
already wanting a bigger tank lol 
 
once again folks thanks for all your help on this 

 

[fluttermoth]

No problem at all; looks good

Now we just need to get you sorted with some real plants

 

[scottish_ash]

i have real plants in it fluttermoth the 2 bits of grass and the plant in the corner in the finished photo are real  

 

[fluttermoth]

Okay...a few more plants then

Seriously though, the more plants you have, the more secure your fish will feel and the more likely they'll be to behave naturally. Fish like to know there are plenty of hiding places nearby. You and I know there are no predators in our tanks, but the fish don't!

 

[scottish_ash]

ohh ok i didn't wanna overload it with plants i didn't know how many were too many, will look into getting a few more