Great, thanks for the heads up there! going to buy my sand today, will report back when I've got it! Cheers guys, really appreciate the advice..Just don't want to get this wrong, well... at least trying to eliminate most things I can think of! 
Sand, Gravel or maybe both??
- Thread starter repsolblade
- Start date
Sand bought and cleaned, via method
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cleaning_sand.php
Have some issues with air bubbles and removed most of floating sand with net and vac, turning off filter prior to adding and clearing sand, will give this a few days before trying again. Really pleased with the look of Black Sand as opposed to Courser Gravel, will post pics as soon as I can, Now thinking of which plants I can use to help Cycle, and also thinking of using some media from exsisting 30 litre goldfish tank to help move things along(good idea)?
:1zhelp:
Also, will I need to add ammonia if I add media from exsisting tank?
Thanks
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/cleaning_sand.php
Have some issues with air bubbles and removed most of floating sand with net and vac, turning off filter prior to adding and clearing sand, will give this a few days before trying again. Really pleased with the look of Black Sand as opposed to Courser Gravel, will post pics as soon as I can, Now thinking of which plants I can use to help Cycle, and also thinking of using some media from exsisting 30 litre goldfish tank to help move things along(good idea)?
:1zhelp:
Also, will I need to add ammonia if I add media from exsisting tank?
Thanks
The sand and gravel combo can work if you're careful. Maybe just put a strip of gravel along the back or something. You'd probably want to stir it up a bit now and then same as the sand.
30 L goldfish tank? Not good, lol. Torpedo shaped grow to about a foot. You can keep some fancies in a 30 Gallon, though. Depends on what type you have.
However, using media from that tank is a good idea. If you want to do a silent cycle you want nutrient suckers such as water sprite, hornwort, Java moss, java fern and anacharis. Use prime or Amquel + as your dechlorinator. However, if you do a silent cycle it is best if your tank is planted. Why not consider a fishless cycle?
Many of our members here use sand.
However, using media from that tank is a good idea. If you want to do a silent cycle you want nutrient suckers such as water sprite, hornwort, Java moss, java fern and anacharis. Use prime or Amquel + as your dechlorinator. However, if you do a silent cycle it is best if your tank is planted. Why not consider a fishless cycle?
Many of our members here use sand.
Bought some white gravel to contrast against the Black sand, and after rinsing and washing extremely carefull. I put into tank, I have had a wonderfull effect but, and it's a big but!!
I really was very very particular at washing through the white gravel, but now my water has gone very cloudy, VERY! almost can't see through! I bought this Gravel form my local LFS and I'm confused? Have I not cleaned thoroughly enough? I thought I had, It was only a small bag approx 1kg, just for decoration really, will a water change help reduce? Or should I drain, remove and start again? only a few days into fishless cycle so no big deal?
I really was very very particular at washing through the white gravel, but now my water has gone very cloudy, VERY! almost can't see through! I bought this Gravel form my local LFS and I'm confused? Have I not cleaned thoroughly enough? I thought I had, It was only a small bag approx 1kg, just for decoration really, will a water change help reduce? Or should I drain, remove and start again? only a few days into fishless cycle so no big deal?
Phew....thanks, thought I'd really done something daft! Honestly cleaned it so well, all water coming from bowl I used was clear! Anywhow's, I'll keep an eye on it for couple of days, Cheers for that Paperdragon
No problem.
Yeah, I've never seen gravel yet that didn't make the water cloudy no matter how well it was washed.
Yeah, I've never seen gravel yet that didn't make the water cloudy no matter how well it was washed.
Quick update, Water now Very clear and just done water test, results are
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 5
PH 7.6
Nitrite 0
Is this sounding ok?
Cheers
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 5
PH 7.6
Nitrite 0
Is this sounding ok?
Cheers
We have play sand in our tank for planting purposes and gravel over the top of that. Looks pretty good and it dont get stirred up loads by the fish. Just have to get some mts into the tank now to keep the substrate moving about
