MudHog

I'm working on acquiring a 75G tank to upgrade my 37G. I'm wanting to go with a sand substrate but ultimately have live plants. I've found this on the Quikrete website and it seems very worthy to be used in an aquarium: http://www.quikrete.com/productlines/SandPoolFilter.asp

My main question is: Should I start with a say 1/2" thick layer of eco-complete or Flourite and then top off with 1/2" to 1" of sand? MTS aren't a problem as I got a herd of them in my 10G planted FW tank here at my office. Also, won't the sand want to settle into the lower layer and then expose the lower layer to the surface? The 75G will have a 48" x 18" footprint.

Butterfly

Hey MudHog long time no see
I have sand in my 75g and love it. I have pool filter sand in it. I have used other sand in the past and it seemed sharper than pool filter sand so that's what I stick with. I have some plants in the sand and for those I use plant tabs. The rest are attached to rocks and the wood to give it a more planted look and allow the fish more of an open area to swim at substrate level (there are Kuhlis and Dojos in that tank).
My thoughts are that what ever you put on bottom will eventually wind up on top or mixed in. I can give you pictures if you would like Hope that helps.
Carol

MudHog

Yeah, it's been a while since I logged on, but I'm still alive.


Some pictures would be great if you wouldn't mind sharing. I was hoping my local Lowe's would have the Quikrete sand, but they don't. Looked online and it runs about 9 bucks a 50lbs bag. I may just go all sand and not put any bottom layer.

Butterfly

If you order online won't it cost you an arm and a leg for shipping? Have you checked with the pool places around town? Would be cheaper and you can see what color it is. The pool filter sand I've seen go from bright white (never have a pleco on bright white. whew!) to a cream color which is what mine is right now.
This is the 55g that had the brighter white sand.
Carol

Attached Images

	55G R side.jpg (102.7 KB, 51 views)
	55 Gallon tank.jpg (56.6 KB, 51 views)

Butterfly

Here is the 75g (thought I had some better pics but can't find them) the plants have really grown in since these pics were taken. Maybe you can see enough of the sand to see what I mean about different colors.
75G re-done
Carol

MudHog

I wasn't referring to buying online and I'd hate to see the bil for shipping 150lbs of sand. I was trying to find a place online that sells it just to give me an idea of about how much I could expect locally to buy it. I haven't tried pool stores yet, just got this idea about 10 minutes to 5 this afternoon.

That tank looks great. Is that slate rock or some other type of flat rock?


I plan to run canister filter/s on this new tank. I have a small wall that extends out 18" and I don't want my tank sticking out past the wall. I figure a canister filter/s and the hoses should tuck up nicely against the wall and take up little room.

The deal I'm working on is: 75G glass tank, mahogany wood stand, 2 heaters, 2 emperor 400 filters, large driftwood, glass top and a shop light setup for $175. The guy has some discus fish that he has in it to sell before he can sell me the setup, so I'm kind of on hold until I get the word it's a go.

Butterfly

The rocks in both tanks were bought from a landscape rock supplier for 20 cents a pound. bought 80 lbs for a little over $16
The tank sounds awesome Of course you know we need pictures when you get started until your finished
Carol