Ricky 1
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I have a sand substrate, when I moved a piece of bog wood the sand was dark grey under it, is that bad or not
Its not the best thing in the world, but its not going to hurt anything.I have a sand substrate, when I moved a piece of bog wood the sand was dark grey under it, is that bad or not
I have a sand substrate, when I moved a piece of bog wood the sand was dark grey under it, is that bad or not
Should I stir it up before a WC on Friday? or what.........
I looked at the picture already. If you have the time I have pictures!
Hold on there's more on your second reply.
(Ricky, try to keep up ) I assume you are relatively new, years ago I knew nothing, it will all make sense in no time at all! I'm learning this too! Everyday near enough you can learn something new about fish.
Yes I see why you're in favour, double the system but, the second sump part is almost a tank! (Trickle filters, that's a compartment to me, that's a minefield in SW! Some lovers some haters) There are benefits maybe, accessibility things like that, I never thought about using one in freshwater, I went out and got a regular filters.
What else, that's a lot of filter! What do you keep in your display tank?
I have tanks that have less water than your sump! (I think a lot of people do)
I was considering if the effort of DSB style but isolated from the tank, like a sump but gravity returns (it's the only way it'll fit) could be of use to me.
I like all of your DIY stuff, that's the way to go for a lot of things, I didn't really have much knowledge by the time I had almost everything I own now. Shame.
I properly agree whole heartedly with point one!
What's the formula?
Thanks for the description!
I am pretty much up on keeping fish etc. but not on this particular subject JM, I find this hard to understand with a lot of towing and frowing from all, but most interesting to read, and that's how we learn, it's a great thread, I am just climbing out of the abyss......lol
Seove, loads of great info from you throughout, yes questions!
I question everything. It's a flaw. Sorry.
I'm a bit like you then, got things and did things then learnt things!
Now I'm here asking questions!
Get some boxwood pieces and make a natural cave, plecs will love it, or/and some rock for a similar cave structure.
Not sure about the shark but I've kept lots of different plecostomus and they seemed to like hiding under wood or rock. (Enough to cover eyes, with tail poking out is enough!)
They hide funny sometimes!
Bog wood not boxwood, normally dark brown and heavy even when dry.
SNIP
How do you work out how much sand will erm, I'll say condition, 100 litres/gallons. Is there a formula? I realise a DSB is part of the tank but if you had a sump based DSB how do you equate a useful minimum size?
The fluorite is far more efficient of a growing medium for plants than a dsb.That is a fascinating article. Makes me want to take back the bags of Flourite I bought and replace with pool sand, when I finally get to put my main tanks back in action. Thanks for the link.
That is a fascinating article. Makes me want to take back the bags of Flourite I bought and replace with pool sand, when I finally get to put my main tanks back in action. Thanks for the link.
It is an interesting thing to note in sand vs gravel that in gravel assuming the gravel is very very well maintained there will be a lower nitrate reading in the gravel vs the sand. It traps a lot of crud that would end up fouling the water. However, the number of people that keep their gravel this clean is a minority.I want to share this with you regarding a sand substrate. I'm not trying to suggest that one is better than the other but... I used to keep Oscars (my favorite) and I would prefer gravel with Oscars. I now have a planted community tank and I discovered several things after switching to sand a about 6 months ago.
1. There's a science behind deep sand beds or sand substrates
2. You don't siphon a sand substrate like you do with gravel.
3. The debris stays on top of the substrate and makes it easier for the bottom feeders to clean up and much easier to clean during water changes
4. If you slope the substrate most of the debris will accumulate towards the front and it is very easy to see. You just need to siphon in the front and you don't have to siphon the substrate
5. The water in the bucket during water changes looks pretty much the same as clean water
6. I was very surprised at how much I like the look of sand substrate
7. Corys like sand better because they may lose their barbels with gravel
8. Plants do better with sand (I think)
9. I can't think of the 9th point. It's late.
It is an interesting thing to note in sand vs gravel that in gravel assuming the gravel is very very well maintained there will be a lower nitrate reading in the gravel vs the sand. It traps a lot of crud that would end up fouling the water. However, the number of people that keep their gravel this clean is a minority.
True, but poo will also be trapped by the gravel which is where the majority of excreted nitrogen is going to be.You make some good points. However, with sand, not as much food and waste falls below the surface/substrate and is more accessible to bottom feeders and biological filters.