Freshwater Substrate

[Rachella]

Hey, I have a 20 gallon aquarium that's going very well and is home to several species of creatures including 3 platy's (plus 5 or so growing baby platys), 2 feeder fish that never got eaten by a since then deceased fish, 4 healthy ghost shrimp, a bully pleco, a growing violet goby and a twice-molted asian tiger lobster(she's a real beauty!).

Currently I have sand as the substrate, I made the switch from gravel when I bought the goby realizing he would appreciate it better than the large gravel rocks. However, the sand keeps getting stuck in the filter, I know how to fix it, but now I'm wondering if there is some other sort of substrate out there that can be recommended? I'd like something thin and small, much like the tiny little sand-like pebbles you'd find in some aquariums. It needs to be small enough that goby can filter through it, but preferably a little heavier than sand. Goby and pleco often body slam each other for feeding rights during feeding time (which is a tremendous thing to watch), and it kicks up a lot of sand often damaging the propeller in the filter and causing it be a lot louder than it should be.

So I guess my question is, can anyone recommend a good, sandy-like substrate, but not as light and/or free-floating?

[Tooch]

What type of sand/filter are you using. There are several types out there that will not float around. Aquarium sand is made to fall right back down, as well as some of the heavier pool sands. Did you wash the sand before placing it in your aquarium? If you thoroughly wash the sand, what's left should be heavy enough to just fall back down. You can also get a sponge to wrap around your filter intake to keep the sand out.

If your set on going to gravel, I know my lfs stocks several different types/sizes of gravel. You may just need to look around and use the smallest stuff you can find.

Welcome to the site! thumbs2:

[jbeining75]

that tank is jammed in there, you are gonna need a bigger tank very soon.... you can use a very fine gravel or rock substrate instead of sand.........

[jbeining75]

oh yeah welcome to ac hope you have a great time and good luck with the tank....

[shalafi04]

did you presoak your sand before placing it in the tank. if not it can cause sand to float or gum up and that would cause it to get caught up in the filter???

[Halelorf]

Someone wrote a thread about setting up sand for substrate but I can't seem to find that thread. Basically get pool filter sand and a 5 gallon bucket. Put about 1-2 gallons worth of sand into the bucket and wash it with a hose untill the water runs clean, that will have removed the sand particles that will cloud your tank and clog your filter. It takes something like 10-20 washes before the sand will settle. Then you can add it to the tank and it will settle on the bottom and look very good.

[Tooch]

This may be what you were referring to...

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I have aquarium sand in my 40g but I still used this method to clean it out as much as I could. After filling it and waiting a couple days, I don't have any problems with clouding or a clogged filter. :thumb:

[Rachella]

Thanks everyone for the input!! I do realize I'm going to need a bigger tank and I've really been pressing for one to be honest, but my significant other (ie fiance) keeps holding back on it for financial reasons.

I appreciate all the advice, but the sand has actually been in the aquarium for several months now. It's stirring up because of my two bumping buddies the goby and pleco. When they're not kicking sand around I have no problem with it.. This is why I'm changing -from- sand to another fine substrate if I can find an acceptable one. I've checked the LFS's but haven't found anything suitable to my liking.. :(

Does anyone have any recommended brands?

[Tooch]

Estes makes a ton of different aquarium substrates. You should be able to find some at your lfs


Washing the sand removes all the smaller particulate that clogs up your filter when it gets stirred up. After it's washed, it'll still be nice and soft, but anything that gets stirred up should fall right back down. If you really like the sand, it may be worth taking the time removing it from the tank and washing it.

[ESaputo]

I believe estes even makes a sand that doesnt need to be washed.