Thinking of converting to sand bottom... - Aquarium Advice

10-06-2005, 08:15 PM

I was just considering the idea of converting to sand as substrate rather than gravel. I was just looking for some input as to what kind, etc. I have never had a sand bottom before, so any help is much appreciated. Thanks

**Zagz** · 10-06-2005, 08:32 PM

I use pool filter sand, it looks like beach sand and is cheaper than aquarium sand.

Logan · 10-06-2005, 08:35 PM

I use to have a sand substrate but switched to gravel. I had a prefilter sponge on the intake of my filter. I didn't like the way it looked so that's the only reason I switched.

I had tahitian moon sand http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...tegory_id=2409 I liked the look of it. You're suppose to stir the sand every now and then to keep anaerobic gases from forming.

**Fishyfanatic** · 10-06-2005, 09:30 PM

I also use pool filter sand. It's heavy so you don't have to really worry about it getting sucked up into the filter. And its very cheap

10-06-2005, 10:54 PM

also if you got some [acronym:e9b471a64f="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:e9b471a64f] you don't have to worry as much about stirring it up because they do it for you

mr funktastic · 10-06-2005, 11:12 PM

i just switched 2 of my tanks to sand and i love it. i also use pool filter sand and have had no problems with my filters. it is usually a real nice white colour but u can also get brown stuff. it cost me $7.50 for 50 pounds of it so cheaper is an understatement compared to aquarium sand. what size of tank are u converting? also what kind of fish? if you have fish that produce alot of waste u wont want to get the white stuff and would be better off with a darker coloured aquarium sand. hth

Aquarium Freak · 10-06-2005, 11:44 PM

I agree with the pool sand also that is what I use in my 10g.
Good Luck

Andos99 · 10-07-2005, 03:58 AM

I use pool filter sand myself....it has it's pros and cons. Cons - You get a diatom algae build up if you don't do frequent water changes and mix the sand well. Compared to regular gravel, vaccuming is a pain in the butt. Other then that....I like it.

chrism · 10-07-2005, 05:44 AM

Not 100% sure what type of sand i've got as i had it specially ordered in for me and didnt have any labels or anything on the bag, but it's a dark grey and was really cheap, had to get a 10kg bag of the stuff dnt think it cost me much more than a tenner...

I prefer it, any waste sits on the top, i dnt find vacuming that much of a problem, waving it in little circles works well for me, also i've got [acronym:eb50e32626="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:eb50e32626] so no stirring required

oh and plants love it!

madchild24 · 10-07-2005, 09:01 AM

Quote:

I agree with the pool sand also

All my tanks are sand

10-06-2005, 08:15 PM	#1
Guest Posts: n/a	Thinking of converting to sand bottom... I was just considering the idea of converting to sand as substrate rather than gravel. I was just looking for some input as to what kind, etc. I have never had a sand bottom before, so any help is much appreciated. Thanks

10-06-2005, 08:35 PM	#3
Logan Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kansas USA Posts: 20 Images: 2	I use to have a sand substrate but switched to gravel. I had a prefilter sponge on the intake of my filter. I didn't like the way it looked so that's the only reason I switched. I had tahitian moon sand http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/...tegory_id=2409 I liked the look of it. You're suppose to stir the sand every now and then to keep anaerobic gases from forming. __________________ 30 [acronym="Gallon"]gal[/acronym] fw 36x12x16: 2 Harlequin rasboras 4 Tiger barbs 1 Boesmani rainbow

10-06-2005, 09:30 PM	#4
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	I also use pool filter sand. It's heavy so you don't have to really worry about it getting sucked up into the filter. And its very cheap __________________ 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

10-07-2005, 03:58 AM	#8
Andos99 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 783 Images: 3	I use pool filter sand myself....it has it's pros and cons. Cons - You get a diatom algae build up if you don't do frequent water changes and mix the sand well. Compared to regular gravel, vaccuming is a pain in the butt. Other then that....I like it. __________________ If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when are you going to have time to do it over.

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10-06-2005, 10:54 PM	#5
Guest Posts: n/a	also if you got some [acronym:e9b471a64f="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:e9b471a64f] you don't have to worry as much about stirring it up because they do it for you

10-06-2005, 11:12 PM	#6
mr funktastic Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: alliston, ON Posts: 2,220 Images: 17	i just switched 2 of my tanks to sand and i love it. i also use pool filter sand and have had no problems with my filters. it is usually a real nice white colour but u can also get brown stuff. it cost me $7.50 for 50 pounds of it so cheaper is an understatement compared to aquarium sand. what size of tank are u converting? also what kind of fish? if you have fish that produce alot of waste u wont want to get the white stuff and would be better off with a darker coloured aquarium sand. hth

10-06-2005, 11:44 PM	#7
Aquarium Freak Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 238	I agree with the pool sand also that is what I use in my 10g. Good Luck

10-07-2005, 05:44 AM	#9
chrism Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK South West Posts: 269 Images: 1	Not 100% sure what type of sand i've got as i had it specially ordered in for me and didnt have any labels or anything on the bag, but it's a dark grey and was really cheap, had to get a 10kg bag of the stuff dnt think it cost me much more than a tenner... I prefer it, any waste sits on the top, i dnt find vacuming that much of a problem, waving it in little circles works well for me, also i've got [acronym:eb50e32626="Malaysian Trumpet Snails or Multiple Tank Syndrome, depending on context"]MTS[/acronym:eb50e32626] so no stirring required oh and plants love it!

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