Fine black gravel (sand)

[ginty]

I have changed my old gravel for fine black gravel. It actually says sand on the bag but it doesnt look like sand to me.
My question is: whats the best way to do gravel cleans and lose minimum gravel?
Im going to add more live plants when i get more money together

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[Penguin]

looks like sand to me but the tank looks good so far!

 

[fishliker]

Lovely tank! If it is sand, and you use a python, swirl it around near the top of the sand to pick up the lose stuff while trying to not pick up the sand itself. Hope that makes sense...


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[kristilynn]

Nice tank! From what I've leaned about sand is that the "yuck" stuff stays on the top of the sand.So clean just above the sand and it should all suck up the tube. I've been thinking of switching my gravel to something different. Glad to see yours.

 

[ginty]

Thanks guys.
i thought there may have been a trick to it as i lose a bit of gravel/sand. Ill just have to keep a bag in my cupboard for when i get low.
My corys dig around and some debris goes deeper so i cant help but lose some.

Maybe it is sand then. Just a thicker grade. Each piece is around 1mm

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[Gillie]

Your anubias is planted too deep, if the rhizomes aren't above the substrate where they can get light the plant will die.

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[ImACoolguy]

Your anubias is planted too deep, if the rhizomes aren't above the substrate where they can get light the plant will die.

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+1 to this. You can keep the roots planted. But the rhizome that everything sprouts from needs to be above the substrate.


Caleb

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[ginty]

+1 to this. You can keep the roots planted. But the rhizome that everything sprouts from needs to be above the substrate.


Caleb

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Ok thanks. Ill pull it out a bit. Ive had it a few months. Im new to plants.

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[NigelK8485]

For my sand substrate I couldn't get a siphon to have enough power to lift debris up and out of the tank, even when using the Python with water at full blast. My tank is 28" tall though so it had quite a bit of ways to travel.

I bought Tom's Aquarium vacuum off the recommendation of someone else and I've been really happy with it. It's battery powered and has enough power to suck up debris but not too much power that it takes in all the sand. I'm able to push the teeth of the cleaner into my sand and it'll rotate the sand while lifting out any waste. It's also cheap compared to the Eheim version.

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Maintenance-Cleaner-Battery-Operated/dp/B003OYOPNW/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t


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[ginty]

For my sand substrate I couldn't get a siphon to have enough power to lift debris up and out of the tank, even when using the Python with water at full blast. My tank is 28" tall though so it had quite a bit of ways to travel.

I bought Tom's Aquarium vacuum off the recommendation of someone else and I've been really happy with it. It's battery powered and has enough power to suck up debris but not too much power that it takes in all the sand. I'm able to push the teeth of the cleaner into my sand and it'll rotate the sand while lifting out any waste. It's also cheap compared to the Eheim version.

http://www.amazon.com/Aquarium-Maintenance-Cleaner-Battery-Operated/dp/B003OYOPNW/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t


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I also have one of these. I havent tried it yet. I have the marina one but it is the same design.

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[NigelK8485]

I also have one of these. I havent tried it yet. I have the marina one but it is the same design.

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Try it out and write back with how it does. There are a few things about the Toms one I don't like so if the Marina turns out to be a great purchase I may look into getting that as well.


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[DazF]

I used my Marina one for the first time yesterday...
It definitely picks up debris better than the standard gravel cleaners, picked up a fair bit of sand by accident too but I'm sure I will get used to it


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[Werebat]

Pythons are great for filling up tanks but do not generate as much suction as a plain syphon and bucket. I have sand in my tanks and the Lees syphon I have works great at sucking up the detritus. Use a plain syphon to clean up and the Python to drain or add water.

 

[Coursair]

If you suck up too much sand, just rinse it and put it back in the tank.


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[Mattyfelts]

use a gravel vac, put your finger over the end though to limit flow so its not as strong..