change over to black sand substrate

[ciaobella7122]

So, I got bored with the red rock gravel and changed over to a back sand substrate. I like it because I think it makes everything stand out more. However, in the beginning it was a pain with the cleaning and floating and whatnot. I also took out the air bubbler thing and that promted my honey gouramis to build a huge bubble nest which I thought was pretty neat ... What do you think?

before:

after:

 

[lorindaleigh]

Beautiful! That's what I am planning on doing. I'm going with Tahitti sand. How hard was it to switch? Did you do it all at once or a little at a time? Im worried about disturbing the bacteria colonies.

So, I got bored with the red rock gravel and changed over to a back sand substrate. I like it because I think it makes everything stand out more. However, in the beginning it was a pain with the cleaning and floating and whatnot. I also took out the air bubbler thing and that promted my honey gouramis to build a huge bubble nest which I thought was pretty neat ... What do you think?

before:

after:

 

[ciaobella7122]

I put the sand in a large tupperware container and rinsed it out over two days. Then I replaced all of the substrate at once. In the filter I put in one new cartridge and left in one of the used ones and I didn't have any problems.

 

[Nolapete]

Looks very nice. You could have used Eco-Complete planted. It's black too.

 

[ciaobella7122]

I know but its really expensive and the grain is larger than what I wanted. I actually bought a bag and then brought it back lol. Believe it or not my plants grow like crazy under only 1.5 wpg with no extra work. I don't really want them to grow any faster. Good suggestion though, I appreciate it.

 

[Nolapete]

I agree, the random grain size is either really good or really bad. In your application, it wouldn't have worked. The uniformity of the sand is what gives it the clean lines.

 

[Kevin S.]

Im a sucker for black sand, but I must say the red rock looked great in that tank as well and I am not usually a fan of it. Bottom line is you have a great tank! Nothing wrong with a change.:headbang2:

 

[ciaobella7122]

Thanks lol, I actually have the red rock sitting in a bucket... I'll keep it for another tank probably. I was going to get rid of it but I really do like it, just not for this tank My snails like the sand better too, they bury themselves all the time now it's so cute! And my RCS really pop out against the black which is nice

 

[Fordtrannyman]

Great improvement.

 

[Bk718]

nice change, looks much better