moondancer
March 20th 04, 11:20 PM
This question is a little bizarre. I need to know if I can use the sand
from my existing mbuna cichlid tank in a reef tank as a live sand bed. I
purchased a 35 gallon Sal****er tank with about 40 lbs of live rock, 3/4-1"
deep coral sand (fairly coarse) that is teaming with critters. I have since
got another 10 pounds or so of live rock, a brittle star some snails, 2 red
hermit crabs and a 3 stripe damsel. I have also obtained a sump and I have
an overflow I built in a previous attempt at a sal****er tank (during which
I ran out of funds before I even got the water salty). I plan to switch the
tank to a 50 gallon which currently has cichlids in it, while moving the
cichlids to the 35 gallon tank. I have also been planning on getting some
of the southdown sand for a live sand bed but now that I am ready to get it
I find out that it's not available here (I'm in the Toronto area... that's
in Canada). I have been unable to find it or the Yardright version at all.
All I can get id the 50 bag from lfs, but that is a little rich for me, I
would rather get a little more live sand to mix with some cheaper silica
sand. Doesn't this basically just mean that I will have to take a little
more care with the ph and calcium levels?
Anyways, sorry for the tangents. The 50 gal tank which I want to
convert is now full of about 3" of play sand that I bought at Home Depot
here. it is silica based, but apparently fish safe as if has been running
in that tank for over a year, and my mother has used it in her ponds for
years. The main question is, are there any problems in using this sand
that I may be unaware of and can I use it without taking it out of the tank
(but siphoning very well and mixing well with sal****er before adding live
things). Thank you all very much, I hope this isn't too stupid or obvious,
I looked hard for an answer first!
35 gal
red sea prism
2 powerheads
penguin crappy filter (soon to be aquaclear, possibly with filter sponge
removed?)
40 - 45 lbs live rock (multiple sources)
Also a 15-25 gallon sump (it is a wet/dry trickle filter, but I don't know
if this is necessary with LSB, Input on this would also be greatly
appreciated) which is not yet part of the system.
from my existing mbuna cichlid tank in a reef tank as a live sand bed. I
purchased a 35 gallon Sal****er tank with about 40 lbs of live rock, 3/4-1"
deep coral sand (fairly coarse) that is teaming with critters. I have since
got another 10 pounds or so of live rock, a brittle star some snails, 2 red
hermit crabs and a 3 stripe damsel. I have also obtained a sump and I have
an overflow I built in a previous attempt at a sal****er tank (during which
I ran out of funds before I even got the water salty). I plan to switch the
tank to a 50 gallon which currently has cichlids in it, while moving the
cichlids to the 35 gallon tank. I have also been planning on getting some
of the southdown sand for a live sand bed but now that I am ready to get it
I find out that it's not available here (I'm in the Toronto area... that's
in Canada). I have been unable to find it or the Yardright version at all.
All I can get id the 50 bag from lfs, but that is a little rich for me, I
would rather get a little more live sand to mix with some cheaper silica
sand. Doesn't this basically just mean that I will have to take a little
more care with the ph and calcium levels?
Anyways, sorry for the tangents. The 50 gal tank which I want to
convert is now full of about 3" of play sand that I bought at Home Depot
here. it is silica based, but apparently fish safe as if has been running
in that tank for over a year, and my mother has used it in her ponds for
years. The main question is, are there any problems in using this sand
that I may be unaware of and can I use it without taking it out of the tank
(but siphoning very well and mixing well with sal****er before adding live
things). Thank you all very much, I hope this isn't too stupid or obvious,
I looked hard for an answer first!
35 gal
red sea prism
2 powerheads
penguin crappy filter (soon to be aquaclear, possibly with filter sponge
removed?)
40 - 45 lbs live rock (multiple sources)
Also a 15-25 gallon sump (it is a wet/dry trickle filter, but I don't know
if this is necessary with LSB, Input on this would also be greatly
appreciated) which is not yet part of the system.