Sand?

[Finster]

Been away from the hobby for a while, and it seems like sand in fresh water aquariums has come into fashion. I'd like to use it, but it seems like it might be more difficult to keep clean. Any tips or special equipment?

Thanks
Joe

 

[bushwhacker]

sand is great i use quickcrete playsand in all my tanks 3.70 a bag for 50 #. simple to clean. the poo and other stuff stays on top, just hover your gravel vac over the trash and suck it right up you will lose a little sand but not so's youd notice really. works good for plants also my 55 and 75 are pretty well planted and look great.

 

[FastFly67]

best advise i can give on sand. rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse rinse and then rinse some more. Oh, and get MTS to get pockets from forming.

 

[kj5kb]

I prefer Pool Filter sand over Playsand. I've had both; pool filter sand is easier to rinse clean and it doesn't compact like playsand.

And yes, lots of Malaysian trumpet snails (MTS) for sand stirring.

 

[Arturo]

I have pool filter sand in all my tanks, it looks great and easy to clean.

 

[bazil323]

Yep, the main difference is that you have to be careful to not push the gravel vac into the sand or it will get sucked up. You have to hover it just close enough to pick up the debris from the top. Then you have to make sure that it gets stirred to prevent anaerobic gas pockets from forming, which are highly poisonous. MTS are great for this, but you can also just stir it up with your fingers, chopsticks (some people rubberband to their gravel vac to kill 2 birds with 1 stone), or the end of a gravel vac that isn't suctioning. Some gravel vacs also have a tool like a comb to do this.

 

[bushwhacker]

to be honest guys anaerobic gas pockets are very rare unless you have a really deep sand bed. my tanks are so full of plants i cant stir the sand except in a few places and really never do

 

[JimL]

I just got #100 All-purpose sand. Will that work?

 

[Pharaoh]

I use Pool Filter Sand as well. I love it.

 

[bushwhacker]

I just got #100 All-purpose sand. Will that work?

will work fine just be sure to rinse it very well.. when you think you have it clean rinse it somemore