AdamBro Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Yo a few weeks back I brought white silica sand for my jaguar tank And ive been it putting off for a while because my jags have been Spawning. I dont wanna take the fish out of the tank to do the Switch over so I was thinking ill just take say 50% water out and Fill 1 half with the silica and then over time gradually even it out. Has anyone done this before? Im just looking for some tips maybe There is a easier way, and will I have to rinse the silica sand out before putting It in the tank or no? Cheers Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 i just wash it thourghorly and then add it to the tank when ive removed the old gravel takes awhile to settle but it eventually does Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Turn off filtration while you do it and wait for it to settle, problem with silica is that it clogs the filter due to its fineness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Especially with digging fish like jags... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamBro Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Good points, that was on my mind when I was thinking about buying the silica (fish making a mess, silica clouds) :slfg: So if this doesnt workout ive been interested in malawi for a while. Should be alright tho I have a fine cloth over my filter which I clean often to stop fry from swimming up it and that will stop any silica from going into the filter, hopefully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Just make sure current is not directed downwards. Plants with good root systems would help stabilise the sediment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamBro Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Just make sure current is not directed downwards. Plants with good root systems would help stabilise wthe sediment. Could you recomend any plants to me? I havent had much chance to experiment with plants as my old oscar used to make it almost impossible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Something that has extensive root systems...swordplants are good. Chain swords would be ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 I would not recommend plants with silica sand as it gets dirty and you have to stir it up to keep it clean looking. I washed mine thorougly to get rid of the lighter particles and what is left poses no problems. At $5 for 20kg bag minus 30% after washing it is pretty inexpensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 I would not recommend plants with silica sand as it gets dirty and you have to stir it up to keep it clean looking. I washed mine thorougly to get rid of the lighter particles and what is left poses no problems. At $5 for 20kg bag minus 30% after washing it is pretty inexpensive. various fish will take care of that for you, such as corys, geophagus, several loaches, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 Geos sift the sand very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LYNDYLOO Posted June 24, 2012 Report Share Posted June 24, 2012 I removed my Gravel with a large sieve, once the sediment had settled a few hours later I did a 50% water change and sucked up all the crap that had settled on the bottom of the tank. Next day I washed my Silica Sand in a bucket swirling it round with my hand in teh bucket while the water was running over it, kept doing this untill the water ran clearish. Then used a small bowl to scoop the sand out of the bucket and carefully lower the samll bowl into the tank, slowly let the sand fall onto the bottom of the tank, level out once finished placing sand. This method worked great for me :thup: I have plants in my Silica Sand tank and they seem to grow very well, I have Cyperus helferi, these are now my favourite plants, they have nice height and sway nicely in the current of the water, they are also a really nice bright green. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamBro Posted June 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Ur method sounds almost bulletproof lyndy! And I looked up those plants u use and they do look good be ideal for my fry to swim inbtween. My jags have started to get used to me puting my hands in the tank so I think this weekend will be a good time to start the remodeling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F15hguy Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Geos sift the sand very well. as ling as its not that real sharp glass type silica thats being sold atm, can you say mouth fungus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fruju Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 I just bought my silica in bulk from swanson in west auckland. But I switched back to black grit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamBro Posted July 18, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2012 just thought id add that ive put th silica sand in with no worries and I reckon it does look pretty cool, and its stoping me from over feeding the fish :slfg: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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