Someone said they used pool filter sand, which I have found some on this site:
http://www.lesliespool.com/shopping/pro ... yword=sand
Is that really okay sand to use? Or is there another type I should be using?
Regarding the sand I can use for a loach tank...
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Mark in Vancouver
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That sand should be fine for aquarium use. Ideally, you should have a look at some before you buy it. You want the grains to be rounded, not rough. I use pool filter sand in both my tanks and it's fine enough to be gill filtered by the horsefaced loaches. The kuhlis will burrow in it.
You cannot wash it carefully enough, though, IMO. Do it in batches, in several changes of water until the water runs totally clear. It takes a bit of work, but you need to get rid of 90% of the dust or more.
You cannot wash it carefully enough, though, IMO. Do it in batches, in several changes of water until the water runs totally clear. It takes a bit of work, but you need to get rid of 90% of the dust or more.
Your vantage point determines what you can see.
All right, thanks for that info. That Leslie's pool supply is near enough to me to drive to it, so I can get a look at the sand before I buy it. How do you wash it? In your hands under a faucet? Might be a silly thing to ask, but obviously I've never used sand before (but I'm excited to do so).
And I was worried about the sand being filtered through my clown loaches' gills because the biggest one filters the gravel through his gills(!) and I wondered if the sand might get swallowed? But it sounds like sand is actually better for loaches that filter.
And I was worried about the sand being filtered through my clown loaches' gills because the biggest one filters the gravel through his gills(!) and I wondered if the sand might get swallowed? But it sounds like sand is actually better for loaches that filter.
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Mark in Vancouver
- Posts: 14252
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:41 pm
- Location: British Columbia
I use the biggest plastic bucket I can find and run the water at a temperature so that my hands don't go numb... Lukewarm water. Mix the sand and water with your hands and lots of gunk will rise to the surface. You can pour it off and fill the bowl again. In my experience, it takes 4 or 5 full bowls of water to wash out several cups of sand at a time.
I was amazed when I first saw the Acanthocobitis filter feeding. Even when they are quite small fish, it seems very strange when you see it. But it seems to do the trick for them.
I was amazed when I first saw the Acanthocobitis filter feeding. Even when they are quite small fish, it seems very strange when you see it. But it seems to do the trick for them.
Your vantage point determines what you can see.
Definitely is a job to rinse the stuff! I do pretty much what Mark does, only I use one of those really LARGE silver mixing/salad bowls. Dump some sand in. Fill up most of the way with water, stir with my hands, pour out the cloudy stuff, and do it again...and again...and (well, you get the idea 
). Once I clean a batch I dump the wet stuff in a clean bucket and do another.
Put the wet clean sand into the tank and fill part way with water. Stir it about with your fingers a bit to remove any air bubbles. Let the sediment settle for a while, then gravel vac the silt up by gently holding the vac just above the surface. Plant (if you're using live plants) with the water at mid height, and let settle and vac again. Put a plate in on top of the sand when you fill the rest of the way to keep the water from disturbing the sand too much (pour somewhat slowly) then let it settle, shake any silt off of the plants gently, let it settle again, and vac again before you turn on the filters.
Sounds like a PITA, but once it's set up cleaning is easy. Most detritus stays above the sand and will congregate in a couple of areas based on your water movement. The fish and plants will love it.
). Once I clean a batch I dump the wet stuff in a clean bucket and do another. Put the wet clean sand into the tank and fill part way with water. Stir it about with your fingers a bit to remove any air bubbles. Let the sediment settle for a while, then gravel vac the silt up by gently holding the vac just above the surface. Plant (if you're using live plants) with the water at mid height, and let settle and vac again. Put a plate in on top of the sand when you fill the rest of the way to keep the water from disturbing the sand too much (pour somewhat slowly) then let it settle, shake any silt off of the plants gently, let it settle again, and vac again before you turn on the filters.
Sounds like a PITA, but once it's set up cleaning is easy. Most detritus stays above the sand and will congregate in a couple of areas based on your water movement. The fish and plants will love it.
books. gotta love em!
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Mark in Vancouver
- Posts: 14252
- Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2005 12:41 pm
- Location: British Columbia
Nevermind Shari and Mark. Pool filter sands differ. Many of them are graded for consistency, but some are not. I guess you need to check the packaging.
An example- here's the kind of pool filter sand I used, cost $10 per 50 lb bag-
http://www.u-s-silica.com/silurian.htm
here's a cheaper one only $6 per 50 lb bag-
http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/Pr ... ryID=34#83
An example- here's the kind of pool filter sand I used, cost $10 per 50 lb bag-
http://www.u-s-silica.com/silurian.htm
here's a cheaper one only $6 per 50 lb bag-
http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/Pr ... ryID=34#83
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