What kind of sands???

[Puff of Green]

I have a juvenile Green Spotted Puffer and I want to keep sand in the aquarium instead of the old regular LFS rocks that are colored. My question is what kind of sand would be best for my GPS and does it affect cleaning? I use a suction tube that connects to my faucet when I clean the aquarium. Its a 29 gallon and I clean once a week.

[Algenco]

Grade20 pool sand would be great, you have to adjust your vacuum method with sand, hover to end of the tube just over the surface

[rageybug]

Pool sand is also called silica sand. It is very inexpensive and is fairly heavy so you won't have to worry about your filter. It is an off-white colour so it looks nice too! Just be careful with the stuff... the dust is very dangerous. Put the water into your tank, then put the entire bag of sand in... cut the bottom of the bag and lift it out.


This is what it looks like the day after I put it into SW.. takes a couple of days to clear

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp132/rageybug/P1010003-3.jpg

[Puff of Green]

thanks alot! my girlfriend and i thought that sand would look alot better than the regular rock. my search for silica/pool sand has begun!

[Puff of Green]

one more question, about how much should i need for a 29 gallon tank? 5 pounds, 10 lbs.???

[Lady Hobbs]

This is off your topic but I saw the ugliest play sand in the world at Walmarts the other day. Bags of lime green and bags of purple!


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_4.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNman000)

And a notice on the bag "not for fish tanks" but even their regular play sand says that.


30 pounds should be fine.

[Puff of Green]

so i got the sand in the tank and it is foggyyyy. can i run my aqua tech filter event though there are still particles floating?

[labnjab]

If the tanks cycled and has fish in it would start the filter after a half hour or so. If you don't your bacteria will start to die off. If its a new tank with no fish or cycle, then you can let it sits without the filter running until it clears, which usually takes a day or 2.

Either way, if it doesn't clear up in 24 hrs, do a large water change and it should clear up.

[Puff of Green]

Thanks, it looked alot better today after 2 days, but it still wasnt clear enough for me. I did nearly a complete water change. How long should I let the new water cycle? Also, are there any additives that help to start bacteria growth?

[Lady Hobbs]

I turn filters on in about 15 minutes. If necessary, do another large water change. It will clear up quickly..........in several hours.

[Lady Hobbs]

You beat me to it!

LOLOL