Switching to sand

ravekiss · 09-19-2005, 09:17 AM

I'm thinking of switching my gravel to Tahitian Moon sand. I have a 20g high tank, how many lbs of sand would I need to buy? And do you think Tahitian Moon Black Sand or Moonlight White Aquarium Sand would look better in my tank? I've attached a current picture of the tank. Looking forward to your ideas.

This is kinda what it'll look like with black sand (just to get an idea).
SO which should I get and how much?

This is what the Tahitian Moon sand looks like:
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1127142674015

**Damon** · 09-19-2005, 10:15 AM

Depends on how deep you want the sand bed to be. Its up to you.

**Osiris** · 09-19-2005, 10:34 AM

I would say TMS would look better in that tank, 20lb bag should be sufficient to your liking not too deep though

ravekiss · 09-19-2005, 11:38 AM

I dont want the substrate to be too deep maybe 1 inch. I've read that that can be trouble. I'm very nervous about switching though. Will it be difficult to keep clean?

**Damon** · 09-19-2005, 11:47 AM

16 lbs of sand will give you a 1 inch depth. I believe Tahitian moon sand comes in 20 lb bags. 1 bag will be perfect. Its easy to clean. Just hover your gravel vac just over the sand.

ravekiss · 09-19-2005, 12:20 PM

Sorry for all the questions but does gunk usually get beneath the sand (or in between) like it does with gravel?

**Osiris** · 09-19-2005, 12:21 PM

no usually not it's alot easier to clean then gravel IMO, i have 12 tanks all with sand bottems.

**Cichlid Man** · 09-19-2005, 12:39 PM

Fine grained sand is the easiest substate to clean. It's practicaly like having a bare bottom tank that you can just syphon the waste off. Make sure that air pockets don't build up though, these can be dangerous to fish.

IloveCichlids · 09-19-2005, 04:44 PM

I think the Moon sand will look better in your setup. Just mae sure you rinse the sand extremely well before putting it in. I also suggest you vacuum your gravel very well before taking it out also, otherwise just one big cloudy mess.

09-19-2005, 09:17 AM	#1
ravekiss Crazy for Corys! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Queens, NY Age: 27 Posts: 181	Switching to sand I'm thinking of switching my gravel to Tahitian Moon sand. I have a 20g high tank, how many lbs of sand would I need to buy? And do you think Tahitian Moon Black Sand or Moonlight White Aquarium Sand would look better in my tank? I've attached a current picture of the tank. Looking forward to your ideas. This is kinda what it'll look like with black sand (just to get an idea). SO which should I get and how much? This is what the Tahitian Moon sand looks like: http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...=1127142674015 Last edited by ravekiss; 09-19-2005 at 09:22 AM.

09-19-2005, 10:15 AM	#2
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	Depends on how deep you want the sand bed to be. Its up to you. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-19-2005, 10:34 AM	#3
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,693	I would say TMS would look better in that tank, 20lb bag should be sufficient to your liking not too deep though __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

09-19-2005, 11:47 AM	#5
Damon Aquatic Naturalist Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Dayton, Ohio Age: 32 Posts: 14,982	16 lbs of sand will give you a 1 inch depth. I believe Tahitian moon sand comes in 20 lb bags. 1 bag will be perfect. Its easy to clean. Just hover your gravel vac just over the sand. __________________ For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Member of the AGA (Aquatic Gardner's Association) Member of the IBC (International Betta Congress)

09-19-2005, 12:21 PM	#7
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,693	no usually not it's alot easier to clean then gravel IMO, i have 12 tanks all with sand bottems. __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

Members currently in the Chat:7
	Users In Chat Room: wm_crash, lohachata, GoodMike, akangelfood, Obsidian, Scuba_Kid, guppyart Come On In!

09-19-2005, 11:38 AM	#4
ravekiss Crazy for Corys! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Queens, NY Age: 27 Posts: 181	I dont want the substrate to be too deep maybe 1 inch. I've read that that can be trouble. I'm very nervous about switching though. Will it be difficult to keep clean?

09-19-2005, 12:20 PM	#6
ravekiss Crazy for Corys! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Queens, NY Age: 27 Posts: 181	Sorry for all the questions but does gunk usually get beneath the sand (or in between) like it does with gravel?

09-19-2005, 12:39 PM	#8
Cichlid Man Super moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,100	Fine grained sand is the easiest substate to clean. It's practicaly like having a bare bottom tank that you can just syphon the waste off. Make sure that air pockets don't build up though, these can be dangerous to fish. __________________ If you have a big enough tank with enough hiding places, pH of around 7, you can keep virtually any fish together as long as all the fish are around the same size and these two groups of fish are avioded: Serrasalmus Tetradon(figure eights and dwarfs are the exception). I keep a successful community of fish in a 4 foot tank including the following families: Cichlids, tetras, loaches, gouramis, barbs, rainbows, livebearers, killiefish, catfish, puffers.

09-19-2005, 04:44 PM	#9
IloveCichlids Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO Age: 29 Posts: 456	I think the Moon sand will look better in your setup. Just mae sure you rinse the sand extremely well before putting it in. I also suggest you vacuum your gravel very well before taking it out also, otherwise just one big cloudy mess. __________________ When you feel like this... , just watch your fish, & have a tasty beverage (of your choice, I like Kool-Aid)!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
live rock/live sand...	leveldrummer	Beginner Saltwater	7	11-29-2005 01:28 PM
Sand	Fishy Lee	General Freshwater	4	11-18-2005 04:29 AM
Sand questions	Neon_Tetra	General Freshwater	3	11-14-2005 09:14 PM
My fish...New to Sand	phadam	General Freshwater	4	11-14-2005 12:20 PM
To use Sand or Not to use Sand???	BettaLover	General Freshwater	7	05-22-2005 01:08 AM