Switching From Gravel To Sand?

[gazb5590]

I'm currently debating switching my 145 litre tank from gravel to a white sand substrate but I don't really know much about how much difference this will make in terms of maintenance, filters, live plants, PH (etc.) as well as what other differences it will make. I'm also looking at switching my 2 internal filters to a Fluval 206 external in the next few weeks but not sure what difference this will make regarding a sand substrate?

Also was wondering how much sand I would need and what sand to use/where it's available from (WHITE SAND)? My tank measurements are 35 inches long (3ft) and 15 inches wide (also 17 inches deep).

Any advice on sand substrate would be welcomed as I'm looking for as much information on the matter as I can get before making the big switch over.

 

[KrazyKuhli]

It won't change maint much, probs make it easier as the grime sits on top just swirl the syphon pipe over the top of it.

Not so sure on the white sand as anything 'white' will go green soon enough, a nice natural light brown sand will look good.

Planting should be ok with sand, do you have boisterous fish to uproot plants?

 

[gazb5590]

It won't change maint much, probs make it easier as the grime sits on top just swirl the syphon pipe over the top of it.

Not so sure on the white sand as anything 'white' will go green soon enough, a nice natural light brown sand will look good.

Planting should be ok with sand, do you have boisterous fish to uproot plants?

Thanks for the advice about the white sand. Was dead set on it but if it's a case of turning green then maybe I'll have to think about another colour . Also yes I've got 6 yoyo loaches but I'm looking at taking them out in the future as I've got ADF's and also planning on getting a couple more plecs and it's difficult putting any food in for them without the loaches eating it all before the others get anywhere near it.

 

[gazb5590]

Does anybody know how much sand (in KG) is needed to fill a 3ft by 1.3 foot tank?

 

[Tonyb111111]

I have white sand in my aquarium which got one small patch of light green when I had an algae issue but this disappeared when I sorted out the root cause of the algae. I cannot remember how much I used to fill it with though, but the plants seem to thrive on it though

 

[gazb5590]

I have white sand in my aquarium which got one small patch of light green when I had an algae issue but this disappeared when I sorted out the root cause of the algae. I cannot remember how much I used to fill it with though, but the plants seem to thrive on it though

Your tank looks great. What was the cause of the algae? I've been getting quite abit of algae on the front of the tank recently and a brown resin on some of the ornaments as well as green algae but not sure what the cause is?

 

[Tonyb111111]

I have white sand in my aquarium which got one small patch of light green when I had an algae issue but this disappeared when I sorted out the root cause of the algae. I cannot remember how much I used to fill it with though, but the plants seem to thrive on it though

Your tank looks great. What was the cause of the algae? I've been getting quite abit of algae on the front of the tank recently and a brown resin on some of the ornaments as well as green algae but not sure what the cause is?

Well my opinion will bring a lot of opposing views but I can only tell you what worked for me. I have read that ideally the phosphate levels in your tank should be about 0.2ppm but my tap water contained a very high level of 4ppm, so I dosed a phosphate remover. In two days all the algae was dying. I made no other changes than this but am still experimenting with feeding quantities, as over feeding can cause algae. I have recently started added liquid carbon to increase plant growth and therefore using more of the nutrients that algae need.

 

[gazb5590]

I have white sand in my aquarium which got one small patch of light green when I had an algae issue but this disappeared when I sorted out the root cause of the algae. I cannot remember how much I used to fill it with though, but the plants seem to thrive on it though

Your tank looks great. What was the cause of the algae? I've been getting quite abit of algae on the front of the tank recently and a brown resin on some of the ornaments as well as green algae but not sure what the cause is?

Well my opinion will bring a lot of opposing views but I can only tell you what worked for me. I have read that ideally the phosphate levels in your tank should be about 0.2ppm but my tap water contained a very high level of 4ppm, so I dosed a phosphate remover. In two days all the algae was dying. I made no other changes than this but am still experimenting with feeding quantities, as over feeding can cause algae. I have recently started added liquid carbon to increase plant growth and therefore using more of the nutrients that algae need.

Thanks for the advice mate also how deep should I have my sand (inches)?

 

[Tonyb111111]

I have white sand in my aquarium which got one small patch of light green when I had an algae issue but this disappeared when I sorted out the root cause of the algae. I cannot remember how much I used to fill it with though, but the plants seem to thrive on it though

Your tank looks great. What was the cause of the algae? I've been getting quite abit of algae on the front of the tank recently and a brown resin on some of the ornaments as well as green algae but not sure what the cause is?

Well my opinion will bring a lot of opposing views but I can only tell you what worked for me. I have read that ideally the phosphate levels in your tank should be about 0.2ppm but my tap water contained a very high level of 4ppm, so I dosed a phosphate remover. In two days all the algae was dying. I made no other changes than this but am still experimenting with feeding quantities, as over feeding can cause algae. I have recently started added liquid carbon to increase plant growth and therefore using more of the nutrients that algae need.

Thanks for the advice mate also how deep should I have my sand (inches)?

Again, only my opinion, but that depends on whether you are going to plant and how you want it to look. I went from about 2 inches at the front rising to 4-5 inches at the back. A lot of people say that algae shows up on sand, and I agree with that. But as it is the first and most noticeable place it gives you plenty of time to sort it out before your tank is full it. I am thinking about getting another tank at the mo, but I will definitely getting caribsea white sand again, or maybe black if I go for a biotope.