Sand as substrate

[lucky777ca]

I've seen pictures of the Tahitian Moon Sand and I would like to use that for the kribensis grow out tank. I've also learned that air pockets may form when detritus gets trapped underneath the sand and anaerobic bacteria to produce H2S and is release into the water when the substrate is disturbed. The grow out tank will be a 20G high and I was wondering if I should stock it 3 kuhli loaches and other fishes (kribensis frys, and otos)... The issue isn't about stocking. The main problem arises with the formation of air pockets. Would the addition of kuhli loaches reduce the occurence of having air pockets? Would disturbing the substrate occasionally also reduce the occurence of this problem?

[Mgamer20o0]

people usally run something though the sand to keep the air pockets from forming.

[lucky777ca]

so like a gravel vacuum tube or a stick ?

[Mgamer20o0]

yea. people use all kinds of things. just anything that can move around the gravel.

[lucky777ca]

And I heard on another topic that kuhli loaches need a bigger tank than a 20G high. so I guess they are out of the question.

[DeRo316]

I have tahitian moon sand in my 29. I do weekly water changes but once a month I'll stir the sand up, never had a gas bubble(that I know of) in 2 years.