Sandy Sanderson

[Mars Revolt]

Its been a while since I posted, but I have some questions on sand.
I have set my mind on putting sand in my 75 gal catfish/loach tank. I
have been meaning to do it for a while and have just not gotten around
to it.
So here are the questions:
1. of those who have switched from gravel to sand, or just added sand
to an already running tank, what has been the least stressfull way of
doing it for all parties involved?
2. would it be better to do it all at once or over a longer period of
time? ( day by day for maybe a week?)
3.is there a perticular sand of choice? the finer the better, but im
not opposed to corser sand. any one have pros and cons of either?
4. what is the best place to get the sand? I need a decent amount ( im
going for 1/2 inch-3/4 inch cover of the tank) and I have heard
everything from play sand at home depot to pool filter sand from where
ever one buys pool filter sand. What is the most cost effective?
5. any ideas on substrate , or layering of/for sand?

Sincerly Mars.

[NetMax]

Hi Mars!, midposting...

"Mars Revolt" > wrote in message
om...
> Its been a while since I posted, but I have some questions on sand.
> I have set my mind on putting sand in my 75 gal catfish/loach tank. I
> have been meaning to do it for a while and have just not gotten around
> to it.
> So here are the questions:

Googling the archives will turn up a plethra of info on sand vs gravel.

> 1. of those who have switched from gravel to sand, or just added sand
> to an already running tank, what has been the least stressfull way of
> doing it for all parties involved?

Sand mixed with gravel is messy. The sand heads to the bottom, only to
re-appear when gravel vacuuming. Least stressful is to pull out the
fish, remove the gravel & water, install the sand, refill slowly. The
degree of cloudiness depends on the particular sand used, and how many
rinses you did.

> 2. would it be better to do it all at once or over a longer period of
> time? ( day by day for maybe a week?)

Alternately (though more work), you could siphon out your gravel, either
slowly or all in one shot (whatever you can manage without making too big
a water change). Then install the sand, but the cloudiness will be far
worst compared to adding water after.

> 3.is there a perticular sand of choice? the finer the better, but im
> not opposed to corser sand. any one have pros and cons of either?

Fine is not better. Fine turns into a packed compound (like mortar)
which is more likely to go anaerobic on you. I prefer coarse sand, but
there is some personal preferences at work. Coarse sand does not pack
down as much, is easier for plant roots, easier for cory digging, easier
for Malasian trumpets to churn, etc etc. Note that you need very little
sand depth, especially if not planted.

> 4. what is the best place to get the sand? I need a decent amount ( im
> going for 1/2 inch-3/4 inch cover of the tank) and I have heard
> everything from play sand at home depot to pool filter sand from where
> ever one buys pool filter sand. What is the most cost effective?

Worst value (but probably the cheapest) is play sand (fine & difficult to
clean). Your other questions might depend on where you live.

> 5. any ideas on substrate , or layering of/for sand?

IMO, sand offers far less opportunities for grading. Think about using
berms (rocks, driftwood, artificial constructs) to hold the sand back in
levels, like a rice paddy, otherwise sand tends to be self-leveling.
JMO, and sand usage is very subjective. Many valid opinions may
contradict ;~)

NetMax

> Sincerly Mars.