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29 gal. and playground sand.

3K views 11 replies 5 participants last post by  1077 
#1 ·
Yesterday I set up 29 gal. at work and for the first time ever decided to use sand. Thought about PLAYSAND but only had three colors to choose from Blue, Green, and hot Pink. Decided to use playground sand.
To get approx an inch and one half depth only took about 15 pounds which I washed in 5 gal bucket about five or seven pounds at a time. It has become painfully clear that I did not wash it enough and water is still cloudy after twenty four hours. I am seriously contemplating taking it out and going with fine gravel unless someone with expierience can sooth my frustration . Would large water change or changes help? Or will water clear up after a while? I plan on running this tank for 10 days Heater, Filter, etc. before adding some tetras for cycling and plan on a shoal of pygmy corys hence the sand. Just want to do what needs doin now so as not to stress later. :)
 
#3 ·
Amphitrite, Thank you for speedy reply. I love the look of the sand and the fact that detrius will remain on top as opposed to down in the substrate. Tank is clear enough to see backgound and i have much patience so your news was welcomed.
 
#4 ·
I loved having sand for the same reason. One thing to bear in mind is that it should be stirred around on a fairly regular basis in order to prevent gas pockets from forming. I simply raked it through with a plastic fork when performing water changes and after using the gravel vac.

What sorts of fish are you planning on keeping in the 29 gallon, have you decided yet?
 
#5 ·
Amphitrite,
I wonder if a not too fine toothed comb or perhaps a small vent brush with the handle removed would work for stirring the gravel? As for fish I am still researching. So many fish to choose from. One certainty is small fish. Also am thinking about malaysian snails to help sift through the sand .What do you think? :wink:
 
#6 ·
A comb, stick or anything like that would work fine. Malaysian Trumpet Snails are a great idea, they do a good job of helping keep the sand aereated and from compacting.


I would suggest some corys and/or kuhlie loaches for bottom dwellers - they'll appreciate the sand. They like to sift through it looking for food, and it won't damage their barbels as some gravels can :)

Are you going to have live plants in the tank?
 
#7 ·
amphitrite,
Planned on six pygmy corys for bottom duty. also just put in eighty bucks worth of silk and plastic plants but might go with live plants after tank has matured. Oh! one must have is a farlowella. But again ,must wait until there is someting for it to work on. I kind of like the fake plants with respect to maint of the tank but I fear Girlfiend has other plans. She works with me which is both a blessing and a curse. I'm supposed to be the lead person. :(
 
#8 ·
Although I seriously cringe at the thought of using sand, I do have one tank that uses it. It was an experiment that I've been too lazy to redo. I use a child's toy that looks like a hand cultivator for a flower be found it at the local 5 and dime, Dollar Tree, maybe?. Works even for gravels stirs.
 
#10 ·
I'm using sand in my new 29 gal as well. It's cycling now and I've already got malaysian trumpet snails reproducing in there. I plan on having kuhli loaches for the bottom levels, which will assist in keeping the sand stirred. It kind bugs me that I can't use the UGF that I was going to use for reverse flow, but the sand really looks great.

I bought just standard play sand from Home Depot. I dumped it in a bucket and rinsed it maybe....ten thousand times? It took FOREVER before the water ran clear. Seems worth it though, as this is easily my best looking tank to date.
 
#11 ·
I've got sand in my 86 gallon and I absolutely *love* it. Bob's a bit picky about sand cuz he uses UGF, which is a bit tricky with sand.

My tank took a few days to clear up. My cories absolutely LOVE it. I now feel bad I ever kept them in anything else. They munch up the sand, sort out the bits of food, and spit the sand out of their gills. It's sooo cute and they're so pudgy now!
 
#12 ·
Thanks All, I came in to work and tank has cleared up :) I washed each bucket full of sand probably ten or fifteen times ten to fifteen minutes per wash. It sucked but I do love the look. One more question... Should I rake or sift the sand all along or wait until fish are added to begin cycling? Again thanks to all.
 
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