How much sand is needed?

[jameshilljr]

How much sand do I need for a 55g mbuna tank? Do I use the same rule-1lb. of substrate for every gallon, as I have for gravel?

 

[avionics30]

I'd say about 100 lbs for a good sand bed that's about 3-4".

 

[toddnbecka]

That 1 lb/gallon of gravel is only relevant if you're using an UG filter. Sand is another matter entirely; if the bed is deep you're more likely to get gas pockets unless you stir the sand when you do partials. That can be a problem if you stack rocks. For that matter, fish digging in the sand under the rocks can cause broken glass...

 

[Kashta]

This will calculate it for you. Plan to go with 1 inch or 1.5 inches of sand - enter in your tank dimensions - then choose silica sand as the substrate type. That's the same option for all sand grades.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/calculators/substrateCalculator/

 

[blue2fyre]

I used 1 50 lb bag for my 55 gallon. Took the whole thing but it looks nice. It's enough to cover the eggcrate, let the fish dig and move it around. I rarely have to deal with gass pockets.

 

[mostlycichlids]

50lbs will be plenty!

 

[BoCoMo]

That 1 lb/gallon of gravel is only relevant if you're using an UG filter. Sand is another matter entirely; if the bed is deep you're more likely to get gas pockets unless you stir the sand when you do partials. That can be a problem if you stack rocks. For that matter, fish digging in the sand under the rocks can cause broken glass...

Cut foam to shape of tank bottom - use 1/2 the sand, more equal weight distribution with rocks, and it prevents glass breakage from sand being dug out from under your rocks

 

[Pittbull]

Egg crate and about 60LBS of sand or 50LBS your call just watch how much you add the less the better because of dead spots and gas pockets and easier to slosh around when doing water changes..

If you go deep sand bed than definitely when doing water changes stir the sand thoroughly..

In my 120gal Tang tank i have egg crate covering the whole bottom and about 2" of sand no issues as of yet.. good luck my friend..

 

[AfroCichlid]

I would use 50 lbs or less. Just enough to get above the lip of your tank. You have no need for a deeper bed and as others have mentioned, it could cause you problems in the long run.

 

[jameshilljr]

That 1 lb/gallon of gravel is only relevant if you're using an UG filter. Sand is another matter entirely; if the bed is deep you're more likely to get gas pockets unless you stir the sand when you do partials. That can be a problem if you stack rocks. For that matter, fish digging in the sand under the rocks can cause broken glass...

Thank you for the info- I am going to buy eggcrate to go under the sandbed so hopefully I won't have any issues with rocks stressing the glass...