I love the way gravel looks, I know Cory's love sand, so I was in a pickle...sand? or gravel? Why not both?
A few other members have successfully done half sand and half gravel which looks great, but I wanted something a little different - a flow between the 2, and a clean barrier to not allow them to slowly mix overtime. This is how I did that and the end result. Let me know what you think!
Post your pics of your half gravel/half sand tank!
My Tank Specs: 36G Bowfront Freshwater Tropical Community Tank (fish still being added ATM)
Materials Needed
How-To
A few other members have successfully done half sand and half gravel which looks great, but I wanted something a little different - a flow between the 2, and a clean barrier to not allow them to slowly mix overtime. This is how I did that and the end result. Let me know what you think!
Post your pics of your half gravel/half sand tank!
My Tank Specs: 36G Bowfront Freshwater Tropical Community Tank (fish still being added ATM)
Materials Needed
- CLEAN milk jug
- Scissors
- Small cup/small tupperware
- Cleaned Sand (I used White Pool Filter Sand 20 Grain)
- Gravel (you pick, I like the look of medium-sized colored gravel)
How-To
- Figure out your design - I used pixlr.com (Paint will work just fine) (thank you user GreenLily with design help)
- Cut long milk jug strips as needed. If you're divding your tank from front to back (as opposed to left to right), your back strips will need to be tapered/angeled. I used 4 strips total, the back strip was 2" tall on one and, 1 1/2" tall on the other. The 2nd strip from the back was 1 1/2" on one end, 1" on the other end, and the 2 strips closest to the front are both 1" tall
- Remove any decorations that will be in your way. It's easiest to remove all decorations from your tank to correctly slope your sand and gravel.
- Start a water change - I suggest 50%. This will make it easier for your arms to be in the tank
- Remove gravel (if needed) with a small cup
- Slowly add your cleaned sand. Scoop up some sand in your small cup, while keeping it upright, slowly lower it to the bottom of your tank. Slowly pour out the sand on the bottom into 1 big pile in the corner. Start at the far end away from the gravel.
- Then put your milk jug divider strips against the gravel with one hand, and slowly move the sand towards the barrier with your other hand.
- Continue doing this for all strips as needed.
- Take some gravel and place over the strips to weigh them down some (they will float if you don't do this)
- Add just a few gravel pieces "overflowing" onto the sand for a neat effect
- Finish water change as normal
- Enjoy!
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