Sand upkeep

[hpt84]

My current aquarium is filled with gravel. I was thinking about adding sand to my new FW 55g. Not completely sand, but a small small pit in the middle or on the side for my cory. Is that a bad idea? Should I just go all sand? Also, what are the maintance for sand? Here is a link to the sand I was thinking of getting.
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[YaYgoldFish]

I have play sand in my 25g and its pretty easy to keep. Do you have plants? If you have a bunch of them then the waste wont show much , but if you only have a few, then you`ll have to use a vaccum and hover on top of the waste, stay at about .5-1 inch above, and if it doesn`t go flying in your vaccum, it isnt waste.

[Algenco]

that sand sounds good, have you checked on shipping cost? Probably as much as the purchase price.
Playsand works good and can be found for 4-$5 per bag.
You may have problems keeping the sand and gravel separated the way you want, I would go all sand. Cleaning is easy because fish waste, etc will stay on top and most will be picked up by the filter, what remains can be siphoned off by holding the hose or python about an inch above the surface.
I have both play and pool sand in different tanks and the cories don't have any problems, pool sand has a larger grain than play sand

[Lady Hobbs]

Algenco is right on but then he always is. I got my PlaySand at Home Depot, 50 pounds for my 55 gallon for the price he mentioned. Can't get any cheaper than that.

Each bucket needs 3 or 4 rinsings before adding to your tank. Turn your filters off until the sand settles then turn it back on. Clears up overnight. I wouldn't be a bit afraid to plant it as long as you used root food, too, but in this tank I have silver dollars and since they eat plants, can't have them.

[Algenco]

Algenco is right on but then he always is. I got my PlaySand at Home Depot, 50 pounds for my 55 gallon for the price he mentioned. Can't get any cheaper than that.

Each bucket needs 3 or 4 rinsings before adding to your tank. Turn your filters off until the sand settles then turn it back on. Clears up overnight. I wouldn't be a bit afraid to plant it as long as you used root food, too, but in this tank I have silver dollars and since they eat plants, can't have them.

Nice tankthumbs2:

[MeganL3985]

I have pool sand from home depot and I can even put my vac into the sand. It sucks into the siphon but just falls right down.

[fishfanatic33]

Same here,I have #2 sand in my planted 29 and its muuuch better than gravel. With sand the debris mostly stays on the top until the bacteria in the gravel breaks it down,so its much easier to vacuum than gravel. In my experience with gravel the waste and debris falls down between pieces. And PLEASE dont try to mix the two. I did that and it just got mixed around. I vacuum my gravel about every two weeks. Go with sand. Its better all the way around.

[hpt84]

So I check Wal-mart and they don't have sand. I'll check Lowes and HomeDepot later. This is kinda off-topic, but what is a good maxi-jet powerhead for a 55g?

[Lady Hobbs]

Can't help ya with the powerhead as I don't know which is best but make sure you aren't using an Under gravel filter with that sand.

[hpt84]

Can't help ya with the powerhead as I don't know which is best but make sure you aren't using an Under gravel filter with that sand.

i always use hang on filter. I was never fond of undergravel filter, mainly because of lack of carbon.

[Lady Hobbs]

Currently I have no gravel in my tanks at all. They are either sand or planting medium in tanks that are planted. It's very easy to maintain and I think stays cleaner.

Only problem with sand is not to have it too deep or you'll get gas pockets that can cause area's to take on a greenish look. You just need to run your fingers thru the sand every couple of months to break up any gas pockets but if it isn't too deep, even that is no problem. Sand compacts which is why it isn't the best planting substrate but again, loosing it up now and then helps with that, as well.

I think fish like it better, especially bottom dwellers. There are others sands that are very nice, as well. White and black sand from Estates is pretty. The play sand is just a cheap way to go.

[hpt84]

Ok, I brought play sand. How do I rinse it?

[Tooch]

This link should probably help you get it ready!

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[hpt84]

This link should probably help you get it ready!

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Thank, that was very useful. I'll try it this afternoon if it is warm enough outside.

[Tooch]

Warm enough?? Holy cow, where are you from?? It's like 10degrees outside here! :snowman: