Confused about this... a little help?

W

Wild_Monkey

AC Members
Sep 13, 2004
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Ontario OR
Okay, I might get yelled at about this and what not, but I'm very VERY new to all of this. I've read about puting sand in aqauriums. Is this special store bought sand, or since I have a sand pit out in my field can I just go get sand? :confused:

Once again I know this is a very stupid question, but I'm just very curious.
 
I'm considering using a sand substrate in my 75g whenever i begin to set it up, but i've heard from several people it clogs filters and gets very messy - is that true? If so how does anyone manage to keep sand?
 
Don't use sand that has silica in it. I bought mine from my LFS. Some people use play box sand which is cheaper. Just make sure it doesn't have silica in it.
I may be wrong but I believe with silica sand you will have a lot of algae growing on it.
 
Monkey... When you say sand pit what do you mean exactly? Is it a natural source or has it been dumped there. I'd be cautious of using sand from a field as it could be possible some sort of ferts or pesticides could have been in contact with it.

The sand I used to use in all of my tanks was nothing more than play sand you can pick up at any lowes or home depot. I personally have never had a problem with it and have used it with both freshwater and saltwater for over 10 years.

I currently use a sand/gravel mix I get from the bottom of high flow areas in local mountain streams. I'm very fond of the look it gives, very natural, and so far haven't had any problems with it whatsoever. It did at first concern me that it could have come into contact with something I don't want in my tank, other than the caddis fly larva I get with it. I'm hoping that the presence of trout in the stream and water pennies speaks for the quality of the water and what's in it. Like I said though... I haven't had a single problem yet.
 
Don't use sand that has silica in it.
Click to expand...

I use silica sand and don't have any problems with it. I had a little discolorations for a bit, but the problem fixed itself and its very white now. Its just that silica is white and you notice any algae easier (compared to brown sand). You can go to a pool supply store for silica, or a sandblasting company for other types of sand. Home depot or Rona have playsand that works well too (and cheaper). Just make sure to that whatever you consider is suitable (doesn't change water chemistry for the bad).

As for clogging filters and messyness.. If your filter intake is not too low it won't pick up the sand (and the sand is pretty heavy, prefilter helps too). I find that cleaning my sand tank is easier than my gravel tank.
 
So now I have a question! :)

This is the first that I have heard of sand in an aquarium. I assume this is for decorative purposes more than anything. My question is, if you use sand, do you use any type of UGF and when you do water swaps do you simply ignore the use of a siphon tube to clean the bottom of the tank? If so, how DO you clean the bottom of the tank. Maybe I'm missing something here but I am quite curious.

Thanks!
 
Sand and a UGF isn't ideal. Although i've never used a UGF i'm sure the sand would clog it. I use a cannister for my sand tank. i do use a siphon tube. Its a little different than cleaning gravel though. Theres no need to jab or penetrate the sand (unless occasionally to stirr up any air pockets). I just skim the surface to pick up any poo/waste. I also swirl the tube around to "kick up" debris so its easier to vaccum up.
 
sand and ugf are impossible, there is a special tray you can get, but it's not worth it as a canister is the same price and better!
 
My sand pit is natural to answer the previous question.

I don't know what you guys are talking about when you say siphon(sp?) tubes and such :o ... When I usualy clean my gravel I just rinse it all out by running hot water on it, and stirring all the gravel around for about 10-15 min. Is that okay? If so will that work for sand too? Also, will having sand effect bottom feeding fish like Cory cats?

Thanks.
 
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