Sand - how much for a 55?

[Cichlid ism]

How many pounds of sand would I need to purchase for a 55 g tank?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

I'd say around 30 pounds

 

[Cichlid ism]

Is there a minimum height?

 

[TheCommunityCichlid]

I like a few inches I'd say that should get you about 3 inches all around maybe more

 

[Convict2161]

I think it's preference to a certain degree. I have 120 pounds of black Tahitian moon sand in my 75 gallon African cichlid tank.

 

[Cichlid ism]

Also, I heard darker color is better than lighter. Is this true?

 

[Convict2161]

Also, I heard darker color is better than lighter. Is this true?

Some prefer black because it helps make colors pop. It's really what you want. That's what it boils down to. If you look at my photo albums you can see my tank with natural gravel and then sand. I like it much better with sand and another plus with sand is I get to watch them dig, it's interesting to watch then rearrange my tank.

 

[phin]

On a 55 gallon tank, figure on 0.5 cubic feet of sand per inch of depth. This will give you plenty of sand to lose while rinsing. Mathematically, it is .36 cubic feet of sand per inch, but you never get 100% of what you buy into your tank. The bag of sand will provide you with the volume as well as the weight. You want to measure by volume to be sure.

 

[Cichlid ism]

Thanks everyone

 

[Convict2161]

Your very welcome

 

[Crawdaddy]

My general rule of thumb is a pound per gallon. I put 60lbs in my 55.

 

[Coyote251]

I like it much better with sand and another plus with sand is I get to watch them dig, it's interesting to watch then rearrange my tank.

If you like to watch fish dig you should get a tilapia buttikoferi, I have one that I swear digs 24hrs a day. The only time he stops is when he decides to attack the filter or lights. He makes trenches all through the tank, a regular construction crew. I always try to keep the substrate kind of angled down towards the front glass, but this bugger takes all of his construction debris and spits it at the glass and makes big piles. I watch all the time and have thought it would be neat to see what a bunch of them would do in a tank, if they wouldn't kill each other!

 

[Crawdaddy]

My general rule of thumb is a pound per gallon. I put 60lbs in my 55.

And I put 40lbs in my 37. I think it gives a pretty good layer, between 1 & 1.5 inches.

 

[Cichlid ism]

I have a canister filter, hob bio filter and under gravel filter. If I change over to sand I would have to remove the ug filter. Will I need to add another filter to a 55 g?

 

[phin]

ditch the UG filter. You most likely won't need to add any filtration. What are the GPH of the filters you currently have? If your total GPH is 220 or more than you are fine with the canister and HOB.

 

[Cichlid ism]

Is pool filter sand safe to use in a aquarium? The ones sold in a home improvement store.

 

[abrinn23]

Yes just make sure you rinse it really well

 

[Cichlid ism]

Ok thanks

 

[Brizo]

I also have a 55 gallon mine is a long tho I think. I used 2 20 pound bags and I have the perfect amount I'd say

 

[Cichlid ism]

Is there anyone that has natural golden sunset sand in their aquarium? I am interested to use this, any opinions would b appreciated or if anyone has pics of their aquarium with this sand. Thanks