Kuhlii Loach Substrate

[Kimimaro]

I need to switch from gravel to sand. Which sand would most please the kuhlii? I want pool filter sand, but it may be too big/coarse for them. I really want an opinion on this. Thanks.

[shari2]

Hi, Kimimaro, and welcome to LOL.

Pool filter sand is fine for khuli's. They also like a lot of plants, and leaf litter in their substrate. Not bright lights unless you have dense or floating plants.

[Kimimaro]

Thanks for the fast reply, and welcome!

My lights are pretty strong... but with the dwarf lily and 5 aponogeton plants, I'd say they have good shade. Not only that, but a foot-long log is in the middle, along with a large stump. One is always in the log, one is always either on top of the stump or in the fake plant, and the other is... around. He moves a lot.

How much should I get? 50lb bag for under ten dollars. Sorry if it's a dumb question.

I've found a good article about cleaning it before putting it in. Is all of this information correct? Anything you'd like to add?

This is a good video about cleaning it weekly. Silica sand is in this video, but will the same work with pool filter sand? Any comments or anything you'd like to add?

[shari2]

Sounds like a good setup.
As far as I know pool filter sand IS silica sand.
As for how much--how big is the tank?

[Kimimaro]

30g long.

Note: My filter is Aquaclear, so it has two stems that go one-in-another. I can use just one so the filter is high up.

P.S. Is it better to use a pipe or a strainer to prevent cloudiness? I'm worried that all of my fish (look in my signature) might not make it through "a few hours" (the time it may take to settle down). The filter can clean it up, but sand destroys the impeller.

Thanks again, you're so quick! I have to go to the store tomorrow, so couldn't afford to waste time waiting.

[shari2]

I'd recommend no more than 2 inches of sand.
Look here for more directions on how to set up a sand tank:
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... light=sand

I have aquaclear HOB's too. I usually buy (or cut) an extra piece of the sponge to fit over top of the intake tube. Keeps back the sand from getting into the impeller and does double duty as an extra bit of biofilter material if you ever need to set up a qtank quickly.

Make sure your rinse, rinse, rinse the sand! Read that thread. Helpful stuff.

Good luck!

[MoonPye]

I have pool filter sand in one tank, and play sand in the other. Both took a VERY long time to rinse, but the play sand literally took HOURS (I spread it out over 2 or 3 days actually!). My kuhlis have been in both tanks, and they seem to like either sand just fine.

I also had the Aqua Clear HOB when I put the sand in the first tank, I wrapped a piece of filter material around the intake with a rubber band to avoid the sand getting into the filter (I had already killed one filter by not doing that). Now that both tanks have settled for several weeks, I don't have anything wrapped on the filters anymore.

[bslindgren]

I bought Target pool filter sand (a bit pricier here in PG, but still cheaper than gravel at the pet store) for setting up a new 55 G tank. I made a number of mistakes, including not cleaning it well enough at the start. I also managed to get sand in the impellers of my filters, so I think it's good to not only turn the filters off (unless you use foam on the intake), but make sure there is no sand in the tubes before you turn them on again. After back-tracking and cleaning the sand more, I still had a stubborn haze in the water. I used a clearing product from the pet store, and it seemed to do the trick.
Thanks for posting the links - those are good resources to have.

[Kimimaro]

Home Depot acts like they don't know what they're talking about. All of my LFSs don't have it. I'll find it somehow. Then I'll set it up.

[MoonPye]

Home Depot acts like they don't know what they're talking about. All of my LFSs don't have it. I'll find it somehow. Then I'll set it up.

My Home Depot also acted like they had no clue what I was asking for (I was asking for silica sand or totally inert sand). So I went next door to Walmart and they were like, "Oh yea, you want pool filter sand. It's on sale this week for $3-something a bag." And I picked up several bags and shared with a friend.

The sand at the local Petsmart was over $8 a bag for a lesser quantity!!!

[shari2]

It's the end of the year for pool stores. I got 20lb bags for $4 when i got mine.

And I cannot emphasize enough:

rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse, rinse!
Then add sand, partially fill, let settle, vacuum, add more water, stir, let settle, vac again. do this several times and you will eliminate A LOT of the silt that hazes the tank. Don't rush it. It will pay off nicely in the end.

and do not run the filter while you do the vac's!

[Kimimaro]

Well since mother****ers don't know what they're talking about, I'm not getting it. That means I won't keep fish anymore.

Thanks for your help, everyone. Bye.

[MoonPye]

[Kimimaro]

Actually, we did find some. Hopefully we can add it soon. Sorry about going off in my last post, but I've some kind of sickness (I know I have a fever) today, and just want to give my fish the best they can get. It's amazing how people at fish stores don't know what they're talking about. Sometimes I get frustrated, but I just want the best for them.

Thanks, everyone, you've been a big help. Hopefully I can go through with it, but right now I'm sick.

[Kimimaro]

The loaches seem to have trouble digging. I mean, I don't know if they are trying, but they really haven't gone under yet. I hope it isn't too big for them. When they get bigger it may become easier. Do they dig often? And how far down do they usually go? I thought mine would be under the sand a lot, but the like to just hang out together under the log. That's fine, too.