jaleinwa

Hi! I just set up a 75 gallon freshwater and used aquarium sand as my substrate. This is the first time i've used sand and It seems that every time I disturb the sand in the slightess, the water is clouded with sand and it doesn't settle quickly. My concern is that my fish will be exposed to bad water conditions. I haven't put any fish in yet so I'm considering changing back to gravel. Is this normal? I bought the sand from my lfs and it was sold as sand for the aquarium. Any advice? I'd really appreciate it before I break this tank down. thanks!

mlinden84

I recently set up a tank with sand. Did you rinse it at all before you put it in the tank? If so, how well? I rinsed mine for probably a half hour. After I put it all in, the tank stayed cloudy for a day or two (I put the fish back in after I added the sand and it settled down some, maybe 2 hours?)
Make sure when you vacuum it, keep the vacuum about 1/2 inch or so above the sand, this way you wont suck up too much sand while you're cleaning.
I would just maybe let it sit overnight if you are worried about your fish. What kind of fish do you have?
If you like the look of the sand, keep it in! It will settle it might take some time but it's worth it!
If you have anymore questions I'd be glad to help!

jaleinwa

thanks for the reply. The sand has been in the tank for a few weeks. I'm in the middle of the cycle. I noticed as I moved things around on the bottom of the tank, how easily the sand could be disturbed and cloud the water. I'm wondering if this would bother the fish if they were breathing it in. Does this make sense? thanks again for the help.
oh, and I have a variety of tropical fish.

COBettaCouple

we've not used sand yet but maybe something like http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...&N=2004+113906 would help in clearing the water when the sand is disturbed?

sirdarksol

I've got the same question mlinden had... Did you rinse the sand before putting it in the tank? If not, there's going to be a lot of really fine particles of sand that should be (in my opinion) removed before putting fish in. If you've got an extra filter, you could put some filter floss in it and run the thing full blast, stirring the sand up periodically and changing the floss as it gets clogged. Vacuuming the sand would also help, as the majority of what you suck up will be the fine stuff, leaving the larger grains of sand. When I vacuum my tank, I only lose about a quarter of a teaspoon, if that, of sand.

mlinden84

I did put some Accu-clear drops in when I first set it up to help clear the water. If I were you I would take some sand out and try rinsing it really well. I didn't use the aquarium sand (i just used white beach sandbox sand) but I am assuming it's basicly the same stuff. You could either take the sand out or rinse it while in the tank. Just stir it up good and drain some of the cloudy water. Although I think this could affect your cycle though. I'm really not sure if it will hurt your fish. I know I've stirred my sand while the fish were in the tank and they are all fine.

-Michelle

chickadee

There are some very lovely sand floored aquariums out there and Butterfly has used sand in her tanks and they are lovely. My only attempt at a fine texture substrate was a disaster. Some bettas will eat anything that fits in their mouth and I lost a lovely white female betta to eating the substrate. So be sure if you are using sand that the fish you plan to put in your tank won't eat it. It is 100% fatal if they do.

I do also know that the sand does have to be stirred or aerated occasionally or gases can build up in it and kill the fish. Gravel does not need this as the vacuuming of the gravel takes care of the problem, but since you do not really "vacuum" sand it needs to be cared for differently or else you need to have snails like Malaysian Trumpet Snails that will stir the sand for you and keep it clean and fresh.

Rose

mlinden84

I've been told that you need to stir it every 2 months or so to keep it safe. I play it a little safer and do it every month. I just use the vacuum without suction and stir it around good. I've got guppies, otos, and cory cats in my tank with sand in it. The cories especially love the sand! I was going to put my betta in it instead but luckily I asked everyone's opinion first and it saved me from disaster!

Rose - Sorry about your betta again... That had to be so hard. I've recently been bitten by the betta bug and cannot imagine going through that!

jaleinwa

thank you all so much for the great suggestions. yes I did wash it before I put it in but maybe not thoroughly enough. I haven't done a water change yet so I'll be sure to run the vacumn over the bottom a few times to see if that helps. Like I said my main concern was it bothering the fish.
I'm so sorry to hear about your betta, Chickadee. Thanks for the heads up.

mlinden84

From my experience it hasn't affected the fish, so hopefully it will be the same for you. Good Luck!

Butterfly

I really preferred my sand tanks once I took the plunge Some sand is near to impossible to get it rinsed enough so just stick some floss in the filter for a couple of days and that will most likely clear the cloudiness up for you. Your fish will love the sand. bettas are the only thing I wouldn't recommend it for.
Another question if you don't have fish in the tank what are you using for an ammonia source?
hang in there you will love teh sand.
Carol

mlinden84

I agree I love sand in tanks!

jaleinwa

maybe I'll try the filter floss idea as well. I'm not familiar with it but I'll see what they have at the store.
Carol, I have been cycling my tank with fish food. My ammonia is 0, just working on getting my nitrites down. thanks again.

Butterfly

Sounds good. The floss I use I get at Walmart's as filler for quilts. You just have to look and make sure it doesn't have any flame retardants or additives. Its like 2-3 dollars a huge bag.
carol