How do I clean the sand in tank?

[Gypsy13]

Is this serious? lol. I have pool filter sand in all my tanks, and it’s easy as to clean. when you do water changes you put your hand in there and turn the sand over and that’s it. Sands the best choice for substrate if you have any type of fish that is a bottom dweller or sifter like most cichlids do. I genuinely don’t understand how people like you think sands a bad substrate.



Yeah, if a 20 gallon L took you that long to clean it’s because you don’t have proper circulation picking up the dirt off the sand, get a small powerhead that points in the direction of your filter. It’s amazing how many “experienced” fish hobbyists there are on this site but give terrible advice, reminds me of some of my LFS

Hello. We have lots of very young fishlore people. Smart ones too. And as someone who’s been in this hobby for way too long, I’m happy to say I learn something often enough to keep me interested. I’m not right all the time. But I try.

Sand is a bad choice for substrate. It gets foul, it gets nasty pockets of sulfur. Toss the sand, and use gravel, it is more porus, it contains good bacteria, not bad.

Yes.

I am sorry, but I will strongly disagree with you here.

Sand actually is way easier to clean and keep clean, unlike gravel, and doesn’t trap debris in the crevices and spaces between the granules like gravel tends to do.
Tanks with gravel are not bad, they are just harder to clean, especially if you don’t have live plants, waste will pile up even more, and cause harmful ammonia spikes.
Sand also looks a lot more natural than most gravel, because, in the wild, it's mostly sand, with a mixture of little rocks and silt.
You can make a tank look wonderful with gravel, it just needs to be cleaned well, and taken care of properly.
It's actually going to be more worrisome with the thinner sand that you have, but that just means cleaning it well and taking extra precautions to make sure that it gets cleaned properly, and there will be no issues.

I have used both gravel, and sand, but sand comes over the top of favorites.

If you're worried about air pockets in the sand then maybe once a month take a chopstick or something and slowly sift through the sand to move it without disturbing anything. That'll release any air bubbles before they have time to become toxic.

Whether sand or gravel is a better substrate depends on different factors. Two of which being personal preference and the tank inhabitants. Some species do better with sand. Some do just fine with gravel. The next factor, as someone else already kind of mentioned, is your grain size when dealing with sand. Bigger grains are heavier, thus making them harder to suck up with a vacuum.

As for my personal input, I use medium grit (20/40) black diamond blasting sand in all my tanks. Most debris sits right on top. That makes it easier to hover the vacuum right over the top, removing the debris and leave the sand. After I do that, I take the vacuum and poke it straight down into the sand bed. Moving it in an up and down motion certainly dose remove matter from within the sand bed. The sand is also heavy enough that when I pull the vacuum back up high enough, it falls right back down into place. Perfecting this technique will take a little practice, but shouldn't take too long to figure out. Tank size, vacuum size, and your particular sand all have their own effects on this.

I disagree. A Python can dig deep in gravel and clean to the bottom. With sand, it can only hover over the top. I don’t like my sand but spent too much and have to live with it.

For people with regular gravel vacs, you can control how much sand you suck up with your finger on the other end of the tube.

I clean my sand like gravel. I don't have to worry sucking it up because if too much sand gets sucked up, I stop the flow with my finger. The sand just falls out afterward. For an even better clean, I cover the tube halfway with my finger and clean all of the sand. At half suction, the pool filter sand I use doesn't get sucked up and acts like gravel.

Alright sand lovers, put on a blindfold and then tell me. Especially how much fun it is to replant the plants. Every time.

Thank You Emma for posting the of the siphoning tool. It is really easy to post an internet link here on fishlore. Here is how you do it.

First you type a word for anything you want to use as a link button here in a statement, like this..... sponge filter.

Then you go to the item found on the internet, like Amazon. Here is an example of a sponge filter I found on Amazon.

Then at the top of the page for the item on Amazon is the entire internet link for said item. I have it high lighted in blue by using my mouse left click button and, hold the button down, while running the mouse across the link as shown in below.
View attachment 465283
Then press the left Ctrl and the "C" button on your keyboard at the same time. This will copy the Amazon link into your computer's memory for pasting the link later.

Then high light the words sponge filter, again by clicking on your left mouse button, hold the button down, while running the mouse across the words sponge filter.

Then go to the button as shown in the found at the top of fishlore comment section. I pointed to it with an arrow.
View attachment 465285

When you press this button a dialog box will come up like this.

View attachment 465289

In order to past the Amazon link just as I did in the dialog box, use your mouse, clink inside the box for URL: and press these two buttons on your keyboard at same time, Left Ctrl button and the "V" button. Your computer will copy the last link you pasted into its memory in this case the link to the sponge filter on Amazon.

Then click Insert and the word sponge filter (or whatever word you choose) will become the link to the item on Amazon or where ever on the internet you desire.

It will look like this....

Easy Peezee.....

Uh huh.

Whitewolf, we understand all of that you stated. No one denies the fact that there is good and bad bacteria in the tank from fish and food waste.
Again...if your tank smells, again....that is on you, and you are the reason for the smell and decay of debris. That is why maintenance is very important. If you don't do maintenance, you will eventually end up with a mess on your hands.
Ive been using the extra fine BDBS for well over a year, and not once has my tank smelled the why you described. If it ever did...its MY FAULT because I am not doing my part to maintain a healthy environment and I will not blame it on sand, decaying food, feces, bad bacteria, lack of, or too much oxygen, or urine.
I'm sorry, but I believe that you telling people that sand is a bad thing is wrong. I and so many others have been using sand with none of the problems that you have mentioned.

Whitewolf has lots of good arguments. So do you. I would like to say my first foray into the sand thing has been one nightmare after another. First tried pool filter sand from Home Depot. Took forever to clean. Wasted lots of water. Then it felt, well, wrong. Quickrete said that sand has scrubbers in it. ??? So cleaned it all out of the aquarium and worked into my peanut bed. (Peanut plants died).
Went with nat geo. Like that I can dig the vac into it. Just not liking the whole sand plant thing.
And I don’t care how good and careful you are, if there’s a gas pocket forming and you miss it each time, you can hit it finally and kill all of your fish. Know a thing or two cause it happens to friends. I’m going back to my comfort zone as well. Gravel.

 

[BluMan1914]

Discus-Tang, I'm sure most of the young kids have heard and said worse.

Gypsy13, I believe that you may have just got the wrong type of sand. Yes, yes, yes, sand can be a pain to clean. It took me well over 5 hours just to clean about 40lbs of the extra fine Black Diamond Blasting Sand. Even then, it wasn't totally clean, but my filters took care of any cloudiness from leftover dust.
I don't use plants in my tank, so I can't tell you about that.
I have my theories on so called gas pockets. Imho it seems to be more of a myth than anything else. I won't revisit that topic.
Are your friends sure it was gas pockets that killed their fish, or could it be something else that did? Also these gas pockets should never be a problem in the first place. Whats so hard about running your fingers or something like chopsticks through the sand to get rid of the gas pockets?

 

[BReefer97]

You guys still aren't getting my point. Just because you can suck up some of the bacteria/poop/algae whatever you call it on the bottom right off the sand, dosent mean that bacteria still dosent make its way down and into the sand. And when it does, after time, it turns foul. Aeration keeps gravel healthy. They make UG filters for this reason. Lots of people use regular gravel and an airtube as their only filter.
That aeration is what makes the bacteria healthy, the sand at the bottom of the tank STINKS because it does not get a constant supply of aerated water going into it, like gravel does. You can vacuum the surface, you can stir the sand, but it will still get more foul and harbor parasites and bad bacteria, than regular sized pea gravel

What is all the nasty stuff we see in the gravel that makes us think our tank is dirty? Why its just nitrifying "good" bacteria and brown algae.

Nitrifying bacteria aka the good or beneficial bacteria, are present after successfully cycling a new tank. Nitrifying bacteria provide natural biological aquarium filtration and are responsible for breaking down organic waste within the fish tank.


Nitrifiers rely on a biochemical reaction (oxidation) by the means of using oxygen as a way of transporting electrons, drawn from the ammonia / nitrite compounds. Just imagine oxygen as a garbage collector.
Under low oxygen levels, the bacteria use nitrite / nitrate as an acceptor, or garbage collector, reversing the process from nitrifying to denitrifying (removal of nitrates).

As an aquarium is loaded with oxygen, the bacteria need ammonia in order to stay alive.

Fish respiration and decaying food provides ammonia in sufficient amounts to ensure the proper function. So in theory: Without ammonia, the bacteria will enter a resting phase without loosing much of their energy, ready to get to work again once ammonia is available.

Conditions required for nitrifying bacteria
Nitrifiers require oxygen: 4.5 milligrams (equal to ppm) of dissolved oxygen for every milligram of nitrogen transformed; or oxidized to use the correct term. Oxygen is of ample supply in the aquarium.

“What is all the nasty stuff we see in the gravel that makes us think our tank is dirty? Why its just nitrifying "good" bacteria and brown algae.”

Okay so... you can’t see bacteria without a microscope. The nasty stuff your seeing in your gravel is just that, nasty stuff —— and algae. Yes, while it more than likely does contain B.B., it’s very minimal. Your filter media is where the majority on your B.B. is. This is why you’re able to change substrate and not ruin your cycle.

Many of us with heavily planted tanks and sand substrate rarely vacuum the substrate directly, as it can destroy roots. With enough plants in the tank, the build up of gases under the sand isn’t much of a problem. Just swirl around the bottom a few times and suck up whatever floats to the top. If you know what you’re doing, you can use whatever substrate you desire. Neither are bad options. I’ve personally never liked gravel because I could never get it as clean as my sand, all the little bits of dirt fall between the cracks and it’s far too much hassle to try and get it out, where as the dirt sits delicately on the top of the sand

 

[Gypsy13]

Discus-Tang, I'm sure most of the young kids have heard and said worse.

That’s not quite the point. This is a family friendly forum. We all sometimes get too close to the edge. But for the most part we’re good about considering others. Just because my nine year old heard and said the word, doesn’t mean I want them reading it on a, dare I say it again?, family forum. It’s in the forum rules. We just thought we’d ask politely for its removal.

Gypsy13, I believe that you may have just got the wrong type of sand. Yes, yes, yes, sand can be a pain to clean. It took me well over 5 hours just to clean about 40lbs of the extra fine Black Diamond Blasting Sand. Even then, it wasn't totally clean, but my filters took care of any cloudiness from leftover dust.
I don't use plants in my tank, so I can't tell you about that.
I have my theories on so called gas pockets. Imho it seems to be more of a myth than anything else. I won't revisit that topic.
Are your friends sure it was gas pockets that killed their fish, or could it be something else that did? Also these gas pockets should never be a problem in the first place. Whats so hard about running your fingers or something like chopsticks through the sand to get rid of the gas pockets?

Ok. 500 gallon tank. Owner cleans regularly. Uses a stainless steel rake to move the sand around after cleaning every time. One unlucky time he hits this area that’s super hard to get to. Big bubble goes bwoosh! Sulfur smell hit all of us. Did multiple water changes. Added super filters. Guess what lost all the fish. All of them. Who was this guy? Professor of marine biology and head of the fisheries dept. yeah. Been there seen that.

“What is all the nasty stuff we see in the gravel that makes us think our tank is dirty? Why its just nitrifying "good" bacteria and brown algae.”

Okay so... you can’t see bacteria without a microscope. The nasty stuff your seeing in your gravel is just that, nasty stuff —— and algae. Yes, while it more than likely does contain B.B., it’s very minimal. Your filter media is where the majority on your B.B. is. This is why you’re able to change substrate and not ruin your cycle.

Many of us with heavily planted tanks and sand substrate rarely vacuum the substrate directly, as it can destroy roots. With enough plants in the tank, the build up of gases under the sand isn’t much of a problem. Just swirl around the bottom a few times and suck up whatever floats to the top. If you know what you’re doing, you can use whatever substrate you desire. Neither are bad options. I’ve personally never liked gravel because I could never get it as clean as my sand, all the little bits of turd fall between the cracks and it’s far too much hassle to try and get it out, where as the turds sit delicately on the top of the sand

Are you ok today? Even SirI made the first part of this post sound kinda snidishly mocking? Maybe just Siri.

 

[BluMan1914]

Sorry Gypsy13 , I still believe that when fish die, most of the times its our own fault.
Again, don't blame the sand for the gas pockets. Your friend should have done what's necessary to prevent the gas pockets in the first place. Also, from what you stated, it seems like the area where the gas pocket came from was not routinely disturbed, and may have not been touched in awhile for the gas pockets to form. Again...whos fault is that?
As far as someone using bad language, we all know that this a family friendly site. I guess my ears aren't as sensitive as others.

 

[BReefer97]

That’s not quite the point. This is a family friendly forum. We all sometimes get too close to the edge. But for the most part we’re good about considering others. Just because my nine year old heard and said the word, doesn’t mean I want them reading it on a, dare I say it again?, family forum. It’s in the forum rules. We just thought we’d ask politely for its removal.



Ok. 500 gallon tank. Owner cleans regularly. Uses a stainless steel rake to move the sand around after cleaning every time. One unlucky time he hits this area that’s super hard to get to. Big bubble goes bwoosh! Sulfur smell hit all of us. Did multiple water changes. Added super filters. Guess what lost all the fish. All of them. Who was this guy? Professor of marine biology and head of the fisheries dept. yeah. Been there seen that.



Are you ok today? Even SirI made the first part of this post sound kinda snidishly mocking? Maybe just Siri.

Thanks for asking, I’m perfectly fine lol. And I wasn’t “snidishly mocking” anyone, sorry it may seem that way. The poster I was responding to seemed very adamant that gravel is the only thing that should be used, and is under the impression that the naked eye can see bacteria, and thinks that’s what he’s seeing in his gravel. In reality; what he’s seeing in his gravel is debris, waste, and algae. The first two are harmful to water quality, and algae is harmful to oxygen levels in the tank that bacteria needs (at night — Algae produces oxygen during the day, and depletes oxygen at night).

 

[Goldiemom]

Can we change the subject? If you like sand then fine, use it. If you like gravel, fine then use it.

 

[Gypsy13]

Can we change the subject? If you like sand then fine, use it. If you like gravel, fine then use it.

Isn’t that the subject? Don’t confuse me. More.
Oh, right subject is how to clean sand. Not whether you should/shouldn’t use sand, thank you.
Supposedly you move the siphon/vac swirly like hovering above the sand letting the waste you’ve stirred up go out of the tank through the tube. Once you’ve got a the surface stuff, you swish around the sand (in my case everything in the tank, sorry corys) to make sure you never have to deal with gas pockets. If you’ve got super fine sand you’ll want to turn off your HOB while you siphon. If you have med grade sand, you should be able to use the siphon/vac like a gravel vac digging into the substrate. I’m so sorry we derailed your thread.

 

[BluMan1914]

you’ve got super fine sand you’ll want to turn off your while you siphon.

Not necessary to turn your filter off. Again, I have the extra fine blasting sand. That stuff is super fine. You should read my post I made about it.
As long as you take small precautions, the sand shouldn't get into your filter.

 

[Galathiel]

I can tell you how I clean my goldfish aquarium with a python. I modified one of my extra vacuum tubes (as in took it off) and just use the hose itself to vacuum. That increased the suction as I was having a problem picking up ... anything ... the other way. I hold the tube opening in the circle of my fingers with my thumb hooked around it to hold it in place and use the tips of my fingers to stir and swirl the sand. I then put my other attachment on to finish draining the tank and for refilling because I can prop it and it stays in place while I clean the sides. The modified tube won't stay in the water unless held.

I turn off my canister every time I clean the tank. I'm draining a large amount of water (around 70 percent).

 

[Gypsy13]

Not necessary to turn your filter off. Again, I have the extra fine blasting sand. That stuff is super fine. You should read my post I made about it.
As long as you take small precautions, the sand shouldn't get into your filter.

I’m talking to someone unsure of how to clean fine sand. I’m glad you can clean your sand with no issues. Congratulations. But others aren’t quite as knowledgeable and sophisticated as you are. So, just as a precaution, do you mind so much if I advise someone to unplug rather than ruin their impeller?

I can tell you how I clean my goldfish aquarium with a python. I modified one of my extra vacuum tubes (as in took it off) and just use the hose itself to vacuum. That increased the suction as I was having a problem picking up ... anything ... the other way. I hold the tube opening in the circle of my fingers with my thumb hooked around it to hold it in place and use the tips of my fingers to stir and swirl the sand. I then put my other attachment on to finish draining the tank and for refilling because I can prop it and it stays in place while I clean the sides. The modified tube won't stay in the water unless held.

I turn off my canister every time I clean the tank. I'm draining a large amount of water (around 70 percent).

An interesting constructive idea. Thank you.

 

[BluMan1914]

others aren’t quite as knowledgeable and sophisticated as you are.

No need to get snippy with me.
I too, gave my advice, and that's all it was. It was a learning curve for me to clean sand. I took all the advice others gave on cleaning it, and it helped me a lot. Cleaning sand is not hard at all. As others have said, all you have to do is swirl the syphon right above the sand, all debris will get stirred and sucked into the syphon. How hard is that?
Also I find it funny how you tried sand one time, you had a bad experience with it(probably the wrong type of sand), and now you want to tell others how bad sand is. Also, how can you give advice on how to clean sand, when you don't use sand?

 

[Gypsy13]

No need to get snippy with me.
I too, gave my advice, and that's all it was. It was a learning curve for me to clean sand. I took all the advice others gave on cleaning it, and it helped me a lot. Cleaning sand is not hard at all. As others have said, all you have to do is swirl the syphon right above the sand, all debris will get stirred and sucked into the syphon. How hard is that?
Also I find it funny how you tried sand one time, you had a bad experience with it(probably the wrong type of sand), and know you want to tell others how bad sand is. Also, how can you give advice on how to clean sand, when you don't use sand?

Snippy? Hmmm. Not.
Have a wonderful weekend.

 

[Fruity]

Guys! Guys! This worked perfectly! I took a nylon knee high, stuck the toe into the python tube, and folded the top around it. I rooted around in the sand to my heart's content!

The nylon caught the tiny bit of sand and all the needle- leaves from my hornwort so they weren't running through the hose. When I was done, I opened the stocking up to check for snails and shrimp, then just shook the gunk into a garbage can. I'm using this from now on!

 

[Whitewolf]

Gypsy13 part of that was copied and pasted from a internet search......
Everyone has an opinion, nobody is 100% right or wrong, me personally, when ive had tanks with sand and I break them down and move them, it STINKS
Gravel smells a little bit "fresher"
Meaning more oxygen= more good bacteria. Sand has little to none ovxgen flow, meaning sand= bad bacteria

Sand floating in the water will ruin powerfilters as well, so have fun replacing the propeller in your $50 powerfilter when your stiring this sand all the time.

 

[Gypsy13]

Guys! Guys! This worked perfectly! I took a nylon knee high, stuck the toe into the python tube, and folded the top around it. I rooted around in the sand to my heart's content!

The nylon caught the tiny bit of sand and all the needle- leaves from my hornwort so they weren't running through the hose. When I was done, I opened the stocking up to check for snails and shrimp, then just shook the gunk into a garbage can. I'm using this from now on!

View attachment 465762 View attachment 465763

I’m loving that! Now who’s going to send me knee highs?

Gypsy13 part of that was copied and pasted from a internet search......
Everyone has an opinion, nobody is 100% right or wrong, me personally, when ive had tanks with sand and I break them down and move them, it STINKS
Gravel smells a little bit "fresher"
Meaning more oxygen= more good bacteria. Sand has little to none ovxgen flow, meaning sand= bad bacteria

I understand exactly what you were saying and I agree. I’m just more comfortable with gravel. I’m not giving up on the sand in my 40 long. Yet. I want to try the knee high thing. I know the prof with the gas bubble the part he hit was like 1/4” area that his rake just never hit before. Then that one day, poof. Talk about stink. And we all agreed it was human error. The only point I was making is that with sand there is a “real” gas pocket thing.
And just from the ponds, if I have had sand build up on the bottom, oh the stink. Gravel build up over the same period smells fishy earthy. Not knock you down awful. (I clean the bottoms of the ponds spring and just before winter).
I’ve also started potting my plants so I’m not ripping them up all the time. Since I’ve got every sand used in aquaria, I’m going to switch out to black for a while. Then I’m getting more gravel. And I’ve got to say, the corys were happier with gravel too.
And please, if I sounded snippy to you, I surely didn’t mean to. Not my nature.
Now send me a knee high! They still sell those things?

 

[Rtessy]

No oxygen doesn't necessarily mean bad bacteria, in fact denitrifying bacteria can only live in low/no oxygen environments.

 

[Fruity]

I’m loving that! Now who’s going to send me knee highs?

Gypsy, I'm sure the toe part of pantyhose would work if you secured it with a rubber band!

 

[BluMan1914]

All I did was let the OP know that sand is not as bad as some people were making it out to be, as well as explain how to properly clean it. I also expressed how easy sand is to maintain with the proper maintenance, without all of the problems that have been mentioned in this post.
Someone said that sand is the worst substrate to have for a tank. I, and so many other people use sand and don't have any of the problems mentioned here.
I am one of the few that use the extra fine Black Diamond Blasting Sand. The reason why is because it is a very fine sand, and if some very minor precautions are not taken, there is a possibility of the sand getting in the filter. But you must remember, I am using the extra fine. Most members use a coarser grain, and they do not worry about sand getting into their filter because its too heavy to get stirred up.

Fruity, I apologize if I hijacked your thread. It wasn't my intent.

 

[Fruity]

Fruity, I apologize if I hijacked your thread. It wasn't my intent.

It's been quite the ride, lol!!

Honestly, I've just been sitting back reading the posts, and with a superb tip about pantyhose, came up with what I think is an awesome solution. I decided to change from gravel to sand due to aesthetics and thinking it's better for both corys and yoyos. Others feel differently, and that's ok.

I really appreciate and value this forum, and was surprised a simple question turned into the great debate!

I encourage all to step back, take a breath, and realize we all have differing opinions and points of view. That doesn't automatically translate to right or wrong.

Please, everyone, keep on respectfully giving opinions and advice. You do so much good, especially for beginners such as myself! And, of course, be excellent to one another!!

 

[BluMan1914]

Fruity, I would vive you a "winner" rating as well if I could.
You are gonna love the sand, especially if you go with black.
If you want something really nice, go with the extra fine. Its not for the faint of heart. But as I stated, with a few small precautions....no worries.
I have a fee pictures you can check out. Not the greatest pics, but can give you an idea of what it looks like.
Also awhile back I sid a post on my first impressions of the BDBS, if you are interested.

 

[Gypsy13]

It's been quite the ride, lol!!

Honestly, I've just been sitting back reading the posts, and with a superb tip about pantyhose, came up with what I think is an awesome solution. I decided to change from gravel to sand due to aesthetics and thinking it's better for both corys and yoyos. Others feel differently, and that's ok.

I really appreciate and value this forum, and was surprised a simple question turned into the great debate!

I encourage all to step back, take a breath, and realize we all have differing opinions and points of view. That doesn't automatically translate to right or wrong.

Please, everyone, keep on respectfully giving opinions and advice. You do so much good, especially for beginners such as myself! And, of course, be excellent to one another!!

I’m seriously waiting for knee highs. Tell you the last time I bought any. Sun tan in an egg. The ONLY ones I’d wear. Long long time ago. I honestly can’t think of a soul still wearing the things. Maybe dollar tree? Worth a shot. Thank you.

 

[Fruity]

I’m seriously waiting for knee highs. Tell you the last time I bought any. Sun tan in an egg. The ONLY ones I’d wear. Long long time ago. I honestly can’t think of a soul still wearing the things. Maybe dollar tree? Worth a shot. Thank you.

Oh my gosh, I remember the L'eggs that came in a plastic egg! People don't wear knee highs anymore?! What do they wear with dressy pants and dress shoes? There's no way I'm wearing full pantyhose if I don't have to!

Amazon has a bunch if you search for knee high nylons ☺

I want to say I got my last box at wally world, though.

 

[Goldiemom]

Dollar Tree has them. Most people go bare legged now. Especially in summer.

 

[Fruity]

Fruity, I would vive you a "winner" rating as well if I could.
You are gonna love the sand, especially if you go with black.
If you want something really nice, go with the extra fine. Its not for the faint of heart. But as I stated, with a few small precautions....no worries.
I have a fee pictures you can check out. Not the greatest pics, but can give you an idea of what it looks like.
Also awhile back I sid a post on my first impressions of the BDBS, if you are interested.

I made the switch a month ago or so, loving it! Here's a pic, though my tank is a bit of a mess right now! Slowly making progress

Dollar Tree has them. Most people go bare legged now. Especially in summer.

Bare feet in dress shoes? YUCK!!!! That's a big no from me,dawg! (So, this thread has reeeeeally veered off topic now, lol!)

 

[Lucy]

Thread has been cleaned up a bit.

Please remember, it's fine to disagree but do so with respect. Address the issue not each other personally.
Also, do not copy and paste info from the internet. It is viewed as a copyright infringement.

 

[Gypsy13]

Fruity I forgot to ask did you use the whole knee high?

 

[Fruity]

Fruity I forgot to ask did you use the whole knee high?

Yes, ma'am. I'd say there's about 2/3 of the knee high inside the tube and 1/3 folded over the outside. The factory band held it in place really well, but I may put a rubber band around the outside to be double safe. Hope it works for you!

 

[lewrine]

Insightful info here! I think I used to clean my sand the wrong way ever since. I will change it from now on.

 

[r5n8xaw00]

Bare feet in dress shoes? YUCK!!!! That's a big no from me,dawg! (So, this thread has reeeeeally veered off topic now, lol!)

These threads do sometimes take a life of their own...lol

Dollar Tree has them. Most people go bare legged now. Especially in summer.

The last time I went bare legged in the summer a bunch of people, like the entire county, banned the use of shorts....ead:

 

[davidt39]

If you are concerned about trapped gases, add some Malaysian Trumpet snails to your tank. They burrow into the substrate and get rid of gas pockets. I use them in my snail tank to add their waste to the nitrogen cycle as shrimp produce very little waste. I’ve also used slotted kitchen utensils for picking up litter in sand. [Don’t tell my wife.]

 

[Gypsy13]

If you are concerned about trapped gases, add some Malaysian Trumpet snails to your tank. They burrow into the substrate and get rid of gas pockets. I use them in my snail tank to add their waste to the nitrogen cycle as shrimp produce very little waste. I’ve also used slotted kitchen utensils for picking up litter in sand. [Don’t tell my wife.]

In my case it’s don’t tell my germaphobe hubby.

 

[Sarah73]

In my case it’s don’t tell my germaphobe hubby.

If he has germaphobe, then he is in for a deep surprise as the whole world is full of good and bad bacteria.

Slurp the sand up with your mouth?

 

[r5n8xaw00]

Trapped gases in sand is over hyped, especially freshwater.
When you doing regular maintenance during water changes, run your fingers through the sand.
That's what I do, but I do it just to stir the sand a little.
I always have to reshape the sand, that is, make it higher in the back and lower in the front.
That way stuff rolls down hill making it a little bit easier to siphon up.

Slurp the sand up with your mouth?

uhh....what??..........

 

[Gypsy13]

If he has germaphobe, then he is in for a deep surprise as the whole world is full of good and bad bacteria.

Slurp the sand up with your mouth?

Made me lol! Bless you. My hubby is just weird. But then I’m just so not right perfect match.

Trapped gases in sand is over hyped, especially freshwater.
When you doing regular maintenance during water changes, run your fingers through the sand.
That's what I do, but I do it just to stir the sand a little.
I always have to reshape the sand, that is, make it higher in the back and lower in the front.
That way stuff rolls down hill making it a little bit easier to siphon up.



uhh....what??..........

Yeah. I know. There was just someone saying they didn’t exist. No biggie. My problems with cleaning a planted sand substrate are:
I’m blind. The plants refuse to stay in the sand. (In jars now so that’s better). The corys don’t like it. I’ve never used it before. I understand gravel. But. I’m trying. Everybody loves the bright white with the navy blue swirled around. (Accidents will happen when you can’t see). The Betta Tank is gravel and silk plants. And yucky stinky IAL. But I’m going to continue to try with the sand.

And I love your reaction to Sarah73!

 

[Coradee]

Some posts have been removed, let’s not get silly now, even though the Op has resolved the problem others may want to glean useful information from this thread.

 

[Sarah73]

Let’s not get silly now, even though the Op has resolved the problem others may want to glean useful information from this thread.

You removed what I said! Pfttt. OP just use your python, put a pantyhose around the big hole, and use a rubber band.

 

[max h]

You removed what I said! Pfttt. OP just use your python, put a pantyhose around the big hole, and use a rubber band.

Sarah73 That's a good idea, I just don't know what size and color would be a good match for me. I do love the idea though, at the present time there's no one in my house that's wears them.

 

[Sarah73]

Sarah73 That's a good idea, I just don't know what size and color would be a good match for me. I do love the idea though, at the present time there's no one in my house that's wears them.

I got a medium and brown. Really doesn't matter the color hahahah
edit: Also, it kept my fry from being sucked up.

 

[max h]

I got a medium and brown. Really doesn't matter the color hahahah
edit: Also, it kept my fry from being sucked up.

I couldn't help it, but that could also wok pretty good for the intakes on my FX filters as a prefilter.

 

[Sarah73]

Yes sir! Taking that idea now as I didn't even think about that...But the rubber band will very quickly disintegrate.

 

[max h]

Sarah73 I have a virtual lifetime supply of zip ties around the house, I use them on the car and when I do work on boats.

 

[Sarah73]

Sarah73 I have a virtual lifetime supply of zip ties around the house, I use them on the car and when I do work on boats.

Don't use twist ties as they have metal in them which will rust in the water.
Edit: mis-read, yes that would be perfect!!

[

 

[r5n8xaw00]

Some posts have been removed, let’s not get silly now, even though the Op has resolved the problem others may want to glean useful information from this thread.

To the moderator Coradee with all due respect.

I have been an online moderator myself in the past over the years, for the most part in the gaming communities.
We had our code of ethics about users behavior toward each other, and I have had to in extreme cases, ban a few from using our websites/forums.

The thing that I learned is this:
Humans will be humans, and they enjoy interaction between each other online. (And yes they will get silly with each other, that is after all only being human.)
Online websites/forums like fishlore maybe the only place some can interact with others that enjoy the same hobbies they do.

Bottom line is this: The moderators of fishlore, as yourself, are doing a wonderful job and is much appreciated.
But please don't delete others posts just because they get off topic a little bit, after all they are just having a little fun.

Myself as an OP of a thread, I enjoy others insight as well as off topic sense of humor.

After all if God doesn't have a sense of humor we are all in trouble.

Thank You so much for taking care of fishlore......

 

[MaverickCoast]

I've had both gravel and sand, and I really like sand. I saw a little nifty idea, of attaching either a plastic fork or knife to the end of a gravel vac. Just extend it beyond the end of the intake tube by about an inch or two, and that way you can stir up the debris on the sand with the plastic utensil and then suck it up, rather than get the suction tube too close to the sand, and suck the sand up. Shrimp can also really keep your sand "clean" and will keep it looking fresh, as they stir it up when they search for food.

 

[davidt39]

Great idea! I’ll try it.