Using sand as substrate

dbltrubl98 · Member Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 68

I was interested in using sand as a substrate for my 55gal I am going to set up and I know I have to rinse it really well but, I was unsure if there is an "easy" method to this as I can't just use something to strain the sand out of the water...

t_chelle16 · Moderator Joined: 22 Mar 2004 Posts: 3437

When I rinse sand, I generally just put it in a big 5 gallon bucket and run a hose in it. I let the bucket constantly overflow while I stir up the sand with the hose.

-Chelle

Fish Addict · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 5:13 am Post subject:

Hooben · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:27 am Post subject:

Something that I am using that is very nice is pool filter sand. It is very inexpensive and does not produce the extreme cloudyness that regular sand does. You can buy it at any pool filter supply company.
Costs about 20 american dollars for 50 pounds.

tyler_medeiros · Member Joined: 06 Feb 2005 Posts: 329 Location: Canada

We use sand in all of our tanks, and the only issue we've had is that the HOB filter s*cks up some sand and the filter makes a horrible noise. Make sure the down tube doesn't get too close to the sand.

Fish Addict · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 2:11 am Post subject:

very good point you can put a mesh around the bottom of the filter so that it does not s**k up sand the only pron may be is the it won't process as much water

dbltrubl98 · Member Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 68

I have a wet/dry filter that uses an overflow hole so I am not worried about sand getting to the top of the tank. Should I be?

dbltrubl98 · Member Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 68

also I have a mesh filter before it goes into the plastic balls so rinsing that out every once in awhile would make sure to not clog up the filter with sand. right?