View Full Version : What kind of substrate?
crash
05-06-2003, 10:29 PM
I recently got a 55 gallon aquarium and now it's time to make the tough decisions, one of them is being what substrate should I use. I have two ten gallon setups right now with gravel, but now I'm thinking on using sand when I setup my 55.
Questions I have for people who have sand substrates....
How does using a gravel vac with sand differ from gravel? Do you pick up a lot of sand particles, have to end up adding more sand? Is it a big mess.. etc.
Where are places to get sand? (I know I can get some at Home Depot, any others?) Especially Onyx(spelling) Sand, not sure where to find that.
The residents of the 55 will be two small iridescent sharks, who will reside in there until I can yet again find a bigger home for them, and I would like to put some clown loaches in there, and have the tank planted pretty good. So any suggestions, idea's would be appreciated. Thanks.
125gJoe
05-06-2003, 10:52 PM
http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
crash, if you want to go with live plants, then my opinion is to spend a little extra money on SeaChem's Onyx Sand, or Flourite. There's a current thread in the Aquatic Plants Forum about Onyx Sand that's worth a look...
carpguy
05-06-2003, 11:14 PM
When I hoover up some sand during a w.c. I hoover it back in during the refill. I only clean the surface without a whole lot of deep agitation so its fairly minimal.
Second Joe's recommendation for planted. I'm using sand w/laterite but am looking at Flourite or Onyx for the next setup.
Me too, I'm using sand with latrite but want to change to onyx.
I would say skip the sand and go with the onyx. I liked the sand and didn't have any problems with it, but for plants and that great black color that brings out the colors of your fish. Go straight to the onyx. I now have to try to get all that stuff out my tank so I can switch:rolleyes:
thom336
05-07-2003, 9:31 AM
I use silver sand, and dont vacuum it - instead, I just stir it up a bit, and the muck you would suck up with a gravel vac I siphon off. The sand settles down quickly as it is quite heavy in comparison. Sand loss is minimal. Play pit sand is apparently just as good, and much easier to get hold of - although I do not have any personal experiance of it.
Hope this helps,
Thom.
superjohnny
05-07-2003, 1:29 PM
When you stir up your substrate you put all the poop, food & other nasties back into the water column. This can be unhealthy for your fish.
My best advice is to us a siphon that doesn't have so much pressure that it pulls up the sand. If you get too much suction don't sink it into the substrate, just go lightly over the top. Or, don't be afraid to siphon some of the sand into a bucket, just clean it and put it back into the tank when you're done.
ChilDawg
05-07-2003, 1:31 PM
Originally posted by superjohnny
Or, don't be afraid to siphon some of the sand into a bucket, just clean it and put it back into the tank when you're done.
Don't go crazy, though, or you'll lose a large quantity of your beneficial bacteria, which probably isn't a good thing.
thom336
05-07-2003, 1:36 PM
Welcome back Matt!
ChilDawg
05-07-2003, 1:39 PM
Thanks, Thom!
thom336
05-07-2003, 1:47 PM
I soon know when your back, as your name is practically all over the place!
ahhh.. well thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I'll be getting some Onyx Sand.. however can't find any around here, I might order some off of Big-Als site.
125gJoe
05-07-2003, 7:19 PM
Originally posted by crash
ahhh.. well thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I'll be getting some Onyx Sand.. however can't find any around here, I might order some off of Big-Als site. http://gordon.sourcecod.com/images/flagicons/american_flag.gif
I bought mine from Big Al's, and it was cheaper - even with shipping - then getting from a LFS here.