Changing to sand!!

[serena00]

Okay so I want to change either my 36 g or my 20 g to sand. Eventually both but I have never done it so I'm starting with 1... Both are newly planted tanks. I'm not sure how to do this huge switch.

Here's some of my main questions...

What do I need to plant my plants in sand?
What sand is best?
How much sand?
Fish in or fish out?
How do I keep it from going into my HOB filters?


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
5.5g betta/ghost shrimp
3g betta
2g fry

 

[ImACoolguy]

Most plants work fine in sand as long as u don't have fish that will dig them up. 1-2 inches deep would be enough. Brand is a matter of opinion. Just put them in a big bucket with your heater. You can adjust the intake rod on most HOB just keep it like an inch off the sand.


Caleb

Sent via TARDIS

 

[serena00]

Well I have loaches and Cory... Do I need to use any root tabs or fertilizer?


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
5.5g betta/ghost shrimp
3g betta
2g fry

 

[ImACoolguy]

You only need them if the plants need them


Caleb

Sent via TARDIS

 

[serena00]

Okay... I have wisteria and swords


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
5.5g betta/ghost shrimp
3g betta
2g fry

 

[ImACoolguy]

Swords need root tabs.


Caleb

Sent via TARDIS

 

[candymancan]

Sand ive heard can also be too fine and kill the roots of plants.. but im not sure if that's true


I switched to sand myself in my 30g tank like a week ago.. Moved all the fish in that tank to another tank and I got African cichlids instead.. I used Argonite from Carib sea got in petsmart.. Look very nice and it isn't too big and not too small in grain size.


Wash the crap out of it though.. and when you put it in the tank your going to have to fill it up.. then drain it, and fill it up carefully so it doesn't blow the sand around.. then probly drain it again the next day.. Took like 3 times before the water got completetly clear for me

 

[doctordamen]

What do I need to plant my plants in sand?
Root tabs
What sand is best?
Pool filter sand

How much sand?
3"
Fish in or fish out?
100% Fish out

How do I keep it from going into my HOB filters?
Get a coarse sand like pool filter sand( I used Nephaline syenite)

I just switched a couple days ago... Definitely worth it!!


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[NigelK8485]

What do I need to plant my plants in sand?
Root tabs
What sand is best?
Pool filter sand

How much sand?
3"
Fish in or fish out?
100% Fish out

How do I keep it from going into my HOB filters?
Get a coarse sand like pool filter sand( I used Nephaline syenite)

I just switched a couple days ago... Definitely worth it!!


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

3" is very deep. Aim for 2" or less, also, look into purchasing malaysian trumpet snails. They'll help stir your sand and also help tunnel under roots of plants and loosen the sand so fertilizers from root tabs can be taken in more easily. You only need a handful and they'll begin to breed for you. They stay under the substrate all day tunneling through and come out at night to eat algae and leftover food.


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[gilpi]

Pool filter sand 50 lbs for about $12.
Give it a good rinse and put it in the tank, you'll love it!


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[serena00]

Okay thanks everybody


36g semi-aggressive
20g community
5.5g betta/ghost shrimp
3g betta
2g fry