stillnzcookie Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 I'm starting to think about our next fish tank, which (if it ever happens!) will be a lot bigger than the 60L we currently have. I'd like a tank with a sand substrate, but I'm wondering how you do a gravel vac - doesn't the sand all get sucked up? Also, is it possible to get problems with anaerobic bacteria build up in the substrate? I'd love some advice about using sand - what type, how to use it, how to clean it - ANY advice at all would be appreciated! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 Usually if you want to clean the top of sand you just wave the vac over the top and it will stir up the stuff on the top and it will get sucked up. You might suck up a little sand but it's a few grains. Some people say that sand compacts and needs stirring up but I haven't noticed a need for it. It does burp a few bubbles if I stick a skewer in there but I don't have any fish that could imitate that sort of force so I figure there's no harm. Some people get malaysian trumpet snails which burrow and stir it up, but then you might not be able to get rid of them later if you didn't like them multiplying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camtang Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 I get mine from the river or the beach depending on what look I am going for, and just wash the heck out of it before I use it. For the vacum like Sophia said just run over top of it and you should be fine. From time to time I poke and prode it around just to move it around and let bubbles escape. Some sand is worse than others when it comes to that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted January 16, 2013 Report Share Posted January 16, 2013 Yes, you gotta wash it heaps before you put it in, especially if it's from a landscape supplies place or from nature. White silica sand is pretty clean already. Swirl it around in a bucket and when it starts to settle pour the top water off until you start pouring sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stillnzcookie Posted January 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted January 17, 2013 Report Share Posted January 17, 2013 I buy sand from a gardening store, put it through a large kitchen seive and place the fine stuff in the tank, wash the larger stuff and use that on top to hold the rest down. I start with aquabases to help feed the plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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