How do I keep the sand from getting into the gravel?

I'm thinking of doing a small sand area in one of my tanks for my cories, but I have never done sand before and I'd like the run down on it before I commit to anything lol.
1. How do I keep the sand from getting into the gravel?
2. How do I clean the sand? This is the part I'm most worried about I don't want a bunch of sand all over my house during water changes.
3. Can I use petco sand?
4. Are the fish going to stir it all up when playing?
Any other advice, I don't want to do the whole tank in sand but I'm considering a part for them to play in.

 

1. Maybe use some glass or make a divider of some sort. They do sell sand walls.
2. Depending on the sand, you may not hate clean the sand. Rather just hover the siphon above it and collect waster and debris. On smaller grain sand(Petco) you'll probably need to stir the sand up with your hand.
3. Yes, but I suggest PFS/BDBS 20/40. As they are heavier and have bigger openings for any gassed to escape. They also aren't as easy to get in your filter
4. Some, but I've never really had a problem with PFS. Any stirred up sand is usually my doing.
If you like I can tell you how to switch. Why are you just doing a portion? Why not all?

 

1. You could use a plastic border to keep the sand away from the gravel. Cover the plastic with a little gravel to hide it.

2. I clean sand with a simple gravel vacuum. Since you don't want too much disturbance, use one of the small airline tubes for a syphon.

3. Sure.

4. My fish have never stirred the sand up.

 

king of DIY on youtube has some videos on sand for aquariums. He uses pool filtration sand, which is a larger grain and very cheap to purchase (cheaper than what you'd find at an aquarium store).

 

king of DIY on youtube has some videos on sand for aquariums. He uses pool filtration sand, which is a larger grain and very cheap to purchase (cheaper than what you'd find at an aquarium store).

That's the video I used-

He's amazing, I love all his tutorials, he makes me what to make hundreds of filters haha. Yep, I got mine for $10 for 50lbs. Works great. I take it you have PFS too?

 

I use pool filter sand as well. I use root tabs for plants and it works

 

Platylover I'm not really ready to do a full sand aquarium I'd like to figure it all out before I make a huge switch, but I'd also like the cories to have fun in the sand lol.
I'll have to start looking into little sand divides and stuff like that thanks guys!
And you can get pool filter sand at any pool store right? Do you think you could get it at like Home Depot or something?

 

A lot of people get it at hardware stores, but I never had any luck there. I ended up getting mine at a local pool supply store. It might even be safer to buy it at a pool store since it isn't around a ton of pesticides and such.

 

Yeah I'll have to see what I have available, I might just end up with petco sand . I'm hoping we can find a place for my brothers old 55G so I can get it all set up before my birthday. If the sand goes well in my smaller tank I might put some in there too.

 

That's the video I used-

He's amazing, I love all his tutorials, he makes me what to make hundreds of filters haha. Yep, I got mine for $10 for 50lbs. Works great. I take it you have PFS too?

PFS? I'm on my first aquarium right now, only just got a few danios to start with, but I do a lot of "DIY" stuff in other hobbies (build a lot of furniture, RC vehicles, electronics, etc) so when I came across this guy's youtube channel and started watching the videos it gave me a ton of ideas on what I want to eventually do with my aquarium. At some point when I have the money to spare, I want to make my own custom acrylic aquarium =P

 

PFS? I'm on my first aquarium right now, only just got a few danios to start with, but I do a lot of "DIY" stuff in other hobbies (build a lot of furniture, RC vehicles, electronics, etc) so when I came across this guy's youtube channel and started watching the videos it gave me a ton of ideas on what I want to eventually do with my aquarium. At some point when I have the money to spare, I want to make my own custom acrylic aquarium =P

PFS=Pool Filter Sand
I know, I love DIY, it's so fun and you can be proud of what you made. I want to make my aquarium too, it would probably only be a ten or five, but I'd love to. If you ever do make one, you ought to make a thread on it. King of DIY is great, one of the best aquarium channels out there.

 

I'm sure Ill post about it when I make one =P Right now I have a 20 Long, but eventually I want to go up to maybe a 50 gallon tank. I got my crayfish added to my tank tonight, which is what I got into the hobby for in the first place, so at some point I'll end up creating the new tank with more surface area on the bottom for her.