Changing my substrate and need advice - Aquarium Advice

OceanMaiden · 05-25-2006, 06:11 PM

I'm wanting to put sand in thebottom of a planted brackish tank. What kind of sand would be best? I should mix it with about 1/4 to half of my current substrate to keep the beneficial bacteria going right?? How do I go about adding it? Do I have to take all fish outta tank first? Do I have to do a 100% breakdown to add this? Any help would be great.

GlitcH · 05-25-2006, 07:32 PM

I think I got lucky when I added sand to my 29G.

I used pool filter sand and just poored it in. The water got cloudy but cleared up overnight and all the fish have been fine.

I added it over the existing gravel and didn't mix it at all cuz I was trying to bury some very pesky algae.

**Zagz** · 05-25-2006, 08:45 PM

Here is a great article on how to change out substrate.

I use pool filter sand. I have all FW tanks.

OceanMaiden · 05-25-2006, 10:00 PM

Cool thanks zagz, I really like the DIY funnel idea!! Also since my dragon fish is a brackish to marine fish can I safely usecoral sand or marine sand, or do I just need regular sand? Or do I use regular sand mixed with planted tank sand for the plants to grow good?
LoneWolfBlue has a lot of planted tanks, what is he using??

rich311k · 05-25-2006, 10:06 PM

Wolf uses Eco complete in his planted tanks. Plant will do fine in sand as long as it is not to fine grained. That can crush the roots.

OceanMaiden · 05-26-2006, 04:22 AM

Would it be ok for me to mix eco complete with some pretty colored aquarium sand?

05-25-2006, 06:11 PM	#1
OceanMaiden Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: That place between sleeping and awake, where dreams become reality and songs of the heart are born Posts: 240	Changing my substrate and need advice I'm wanting to put sand in thebottom of a planted brackish tank. What kind of sand would be best? I should mix it with about 1/4 to half of my current substrate to keep the beneficial bacteria going right?? How do I go about adding it? Do I have to take all fish outta tank first? Do I have to do a 100% breakdown to add this? Any help would be great.

05-25-2006, 07:32 PM	#2
GlitcH Aquarium Advice FINatic Community Mentor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: RI Posts: 618 Images: 4	I think I got lucky when I added sand to my 29G. I used pool filter sand and just poored it in. The water got cloudy but cleared up overnight and all the fish have been fine. I added it over the existing gravel and didn't mix it at all cuz I was trying to bury some very pesky algae. __________________ 92G Corner Planted Community - 46G Bowfront -90G behind my bar - 20G Planted Shrimp Tank

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05-25-2006, 10:00 PM	#4
OceanMaiden Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: That place between sleeping and awake, where dreams become reality and songs of the heart are born Posts: 240	Cool thanks zagz, I really like the DIY funnel idea!! Also since my dragon fish is a brackish to marine fish can I safely usecoral sand or marine sand, or do I just need regular sand? Or do I use regular sand mixed with planted tank sand for the plants to grow good? LoneWolfBlue has a lot of planted tanks, what is he using??

05-25-2006, 10:06 PM	#5
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	Wolf uses Eco complete in his planted tanks. Plant will do fine in sand as long as it is not to fine grained. That can crush the roots.

05-26-2006, 04:22 AM	#6
OceanMaiden Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: That place between sleeping and awake, where dreams become reality and songs of the heart are born Posts: 240	Would it be ok for me to mix eco complete with some pretty colored aquarium sand?