Moving Tank - Switching to Sand - Qwick Question I Promise! - Aquarium Advice

joedarat · 07-12-2005, 09:16 PM

So I need to move the 37 [acronym:7c0e3b45c9="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:7c0e3b45c9] (30"L 12"D) and I figure it's time to switch to sand substrate..this sand: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...tegory_id=2409

here's the question.. I've never used sand before, soo is 20lbs enuf to cover the 37Gal , say 3-4 inches ?? Im thinkin no.. so how much should I get?

oh no..i have another question.. just thought about it, would it be a good idea to leave a small layer (maybe 1 inch) of gravel to keep bacteria? will that work?

THANKS!

mattrox · 07-12-2005, 09:47 PM

If you have a mature filter you shouldn't have to worry about keeping gravel. Only keep it for asthetics if you wish.

I can't give a definative answer to your other Q's.

Rxblade123 · 07-12-2005, 11:07 PM

I don't have the answers to your questions, but if you chose to get sand use this article to help change out your substrate. http://aquariumadvice.com/showquesti...q=2&fldAuto=27
[acronym:55a3d314aa="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:55a3d314aa]

07-12-2005, 11:08 PM

I am almost sure that 20lbs or gravel is not going to come close to covering a 37g tank 3-4". I would think you would need double that. personally I like gravel better just because of the ease of gravel vacs, but if you really like the look of sand 40lbs should do it

tetrin · 07-12-2005, 11:15 PM

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/calcs2.php?type=sanddepth

[acronym:1e6723c50c="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:1e6723c50c]

joedarat · 07-12-2005, 11:28 PM

thanks everyone~!

according to the calculator i need between 62-82 lbs..woo

**Fishyfanatic** · 07-13-2005, 01:11 AM

You will need quite a bit of sand because it compacts. I love sand over gravel BECAUSE of the gravel vacs.

You don't have to do them.

You just lightly sift over the surface of the sand. I would start out with 50 lbs and go from there. You can always add more later. Plus, you may get the 50 lbs in and decide thats the depth that you want it. You can't return opened sand bags.

greenmaji · 07-13-2005, 01:29 AM

Pool filter sand or sand blasting sand/grit can save you some $$$.. that and they make black sand blasting sand/grit..

krap101 · 07-13-2005, 01:30 AM

shippings gonna kill ya

**Fishyfanatic** · 07-13-2005, 01:35 AM

That's what I was thinking too krap. Shipping itself for 60 lbs would be $25. I'd try to find it locally or try pool filter or play sand.

07-12-2005, 09:16 PM	#1
joedarat Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 172 Images: 3	Moving Tank - Switching to Sand - Qwick Question I Promise! So I need to move the 37 [acronym:7c0e3b45c9="Gallon"]gal[/acronym:7c0e3b45c9] (30"L 12"D) and I figure it's time to switch to sand substrate..this sand: http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...tegory_id=2409 here's the question.. I've never used sand before, soo is 20lbs enuf to cover the 37Gal , say 3-4 inches ?? Im thinkin no.. so how much should I get? oh no..i have another question.. just thought about it, would it be a good idea to leave a small layer (maybe 1 inch) of gravel to keep bacteria? will that work? THANKS! __________________ I miss my fish.. ================================= no tank eheim 2026 waiting in the wings

07-12-2005, 11:15 PM	#5
tetrin Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: State College, PA Posts: 655 Images: 11	http://www.aquariumadvice.com/calcs2.php?type=sanddepth [acronym:1e6723c50c="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:1e6723c50c] __________________ pisces - be in peace 75g : Malawi 40g breeder: Planted community 29g : SA(change of plans...again) 20g : community ("given" to a friend)

07-12-2005, 11:28 PM	#6
joedarat Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 172 Images: 3	thanks everyone~! according to the calculator i need between 62-82 lbs..woo __________________ I miss my fish.. ================================= no tank eheim 2026 waiting in the wings

07-13-2005, 01:11 AM	#7
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	You will need quite a bit of sand because it compacts. I love sand over gravel BECAUSE of the gravel vacs. You don't have to do them. You just lightly sift over the surface of the sand. I would start out with 50 lbs and go from there. You can always add more later. Plus, you may get the 50 lbs in and decide thats the depth that you want it. You can't return opened sand bags. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

07-13-2005, 01:30 AM	#9
krap101 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Roscoe, IL Posts: 3,824 Images: 12	shippings gonna kill ya __________________ Wizards first rule-People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true. Wizards second rule-The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. Wizards third rule-Passion rules reason. Wizards fourth rule-There is magic in forgiveness the magic to heal! In the forgiveness you grant, and more so in the forgiveness you receive. Wizards fifth rule-Mind what people do, not only what they say, for deeds will betray a lie. Wizards sixth rule-The only sovereign you can allow to rule you is reason. Wizards seventh rule-Life is the future, not the past Wizards eighth rule-Deserve victory. Wizards ninth rule-Contradictions don't exist, in whole or in part.

07-12-2005, 09:47 PM	#2
mattrox Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 1,328 Images: 36	If you have a mature filter you shouldn't have to worry about keeping gravel. Only keep it for asthetics if you wish. I can't give a definative answer to your other Q's.

07-12-2005, 11:07 PM	#3
Rxblade123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas USA Posts: 336	I don't have the answers to your questions, but if you chose to get sand use this article to help change out your substrate. http://aquariumadvice.com/showquesti...q=2&fldAuto=27 [acronym:55a3d314aa="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:55a3d314aa]

07-12-2005, 11:08 PM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	I am almost sure that 20lbs or gravel is not going to come close to covering a 37g tank 3-4". I would think you would need double that. personally I like gravel better just because of the ease of gravel vacs, but if you really like the look of sand 40lbs should do it

07-13-2005, 01:29 AM	#8
greenmaji Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: May 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 5,937	Pool filter sand or sand blasting sand/grit can save you some $$$.. that and they make black sand blasting sand/grit..

07-13-2005, 01:35 AM	#10
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	That's what I was thinking too krap. Shipping itself for 60 lbs would be $25. I'd try to find it locally or try pool filter or play sand. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

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