Substrate Confusion - do some leak ammonia?

You mistook my response. There was no attitude intended. I have found when reading responses it is often hard to interpret the author. My response was short and I probably should have expanded on it better to have avoided this.

As with you, with almost 50 years experience keeping fish, I am still learning. Our hobby has many dedicated people with years of knowledge and experiences who enjoy helping others. I try to help when I can and hope to use my knowledge and experience for others as well.

I wish you all the best and hope to see you again on FL and talk with you more in the future.

 

OP, I cleaned my black diamond sand today... here’s my setup so far! how is yours going?

 

Not meaning to hijack this thread. You use the python for cleaning - correct? Have you tried tilting the python at a 45 deg angle, or an angle that works, and using the shut-off valve as a throttle control? That's what I do. I dig the python into the substrate a small amount. Turn the valve to reduce flow where it still sucks up the dirt but without too much of the substrate being pulled with it.

I do use the valve to control the pressure and suction. That’s often how I get sand in it. BUT it still doesn’t help bc even though I suck up less sand, I can’t get the dirt bc it’s still heavier than the sand. So when the valve is fully open I can get a lot of dirt and A TON OF SAND. When it’s half open I get much less sand yet also much less dirt. I FINALLY realized the sand is light, bc my upstairs tank with diff sand is super easy and great. It’s like 10 min instead of an hour. I have NOT tried an angle though, so I most certainly will! Thank You for that. Do you have BSBS 20/40? I still need to see how some of my Imagitarium (Petco) black sand from upstairs looks in the downstairs tank (if I mix it with the BDBS to weigh it down). I probably will just get heavier BDBS yet I’m worried for my acrylic tank. I no longer have bottom guys but I might put the older baby Kribs in the tank and am also wondering if the heavier will be painful in their mouths. TY again!

 

I believe my BDBS is the medium but still light and easily sucked up. I found when I tilt the python at an angle it sucks up both but the sand swirls in the tub and the weight allows it to float back to the bottom. There by reducing the amount that gets sucked out.

If you mix the two types of sand, over time and cleaning, I suspect you will see the lighter particles moving to the top and the larger particles sinking. It will take time and I like your Idea. I might try that with another tank build I'm doing.

Wish you luck.