Sand or Gravel? Input will be helpful!!

I made the mistake of not washing my sand well enough when I set up my 80 gallon. I spent a day simultaneously filling it and siphoning out the sand dust. After I got the dust out, the sand turned out great. I have had to keep on top of my HOB filters though. I still get some sand in them.
 
I just did a water change figuring it was the only option. Can back and read your replys. Glad I'm on the right track.
Thaks

rmcder
I have a ditome filter. Can the sand damage this in any way. I heard earlyer it wasnt good to get the sand in the filter systems. Is that only because they need to be cleaned out faster?

fishy_sue
I really wish I would have read your post before I picked up this sand. I will one the next 3 tanks I'm going to set up.
Thanks
Cylon
 
20-grade pool filter sand from Leslie's pool supply is the best I've seen. It's $10.99 for 50lbs. but well worth the extra $. I only rinse it a couple of times and it's clean and no dust cloud. It's also large grain sand, very attractive and settles back down quickly after being stirred up by your fish. I bought Home Depot sand the first time and it was so bad I took it all out and started over.
 
THanks I have a Leslie's pool supply down the street to.
I have gone this far so Im not pulling the sand yet.

Im running my Diotme filter now and wondering whats going to happen.
 
Cylon said:
I have a ditome filter. Can the sand damage this in any way. I heard earlyer it wasnt good to get the sand in the filter systems. Is that only because they need to be cleaned out faster? Cylon
The diatom filter will remove anything visible in the water (and a lot that isn't). The pumping mechanism is beyond the filter itself, so the sand isn't physically passing through the pump - Should be no danger to the filter. The only issue with sand is if it passes through the pumping mechanism itself. It can freeze impellors in hobs, for example. Let us know how things work out!
 
Ok thanks. Its good to know it's not passing threw and moving parts, because my tank is already clear. I just finished running it.

Thanks you all for you help. :)
 
AquariaCentral.com