sand subtrate

Punch, Actually, I had 4 of those snails (adults) in my tank (20 gallon), and they did a lot of stirring, but apparently, not enough to solve the problem.
 
Another solution is to not put a huge amount of sand in the tank. Maybe an inch or less and it will get moved around enough between the bottom dwellers and cleaning so there won't be any problems. I have my ray w/sand and he is constantly blowing into the sand searching for food, so that helps alot. It's funny to look at the sand and see all kinds of little pits in the sand where he's been blowing into it! :)
Also, I use a regular syphon for cleaning just like w/gravel. Maybe a little bit of the really fine sand get sucked up, but nothing really noteable. I've never had a problem w/it getting into the filters either. It settles back down to the bottom fast enough so there are no problems. I've never put sponges over the intakes.

Hey, BTW, are you gonna get me a 75 gallon or not? :rolleyes:

Beth
 
I have seen puffers blow the sand as well. But if you dont have these 2 fish, why have sand..carib sea makes sone REALLY nice gravel. They have at least 10 natural gravel coming from all around the world...

Check this out:

http://www.carib-sea.com/Carib1.htm

press the freshwater gravel...then super naturals.

I have this type gravel really nice stuff!!!!

or go directly to the gravel at :
http://www.carib-sea.com/naturalrock.jpg
 
I would keep the sand about a inch or so.. this coupled with some animal that likes to "play" in the substrate you should be fine. As far as what sand to buy...my favorite has been some pool filter sand... I forget the brand though I think it had mystic in the name - I can check later. Anyways this was by far the easiest sand other than "aquarium sand" to clean.
 
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