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	snady substrate
mike77ca Hobbyist Posts: 89 Kudos: 89 Votes: 0 Registered: 07-Jun-2004	I'm considering switching from gravel to sand in my cory tank. What do I need to know about the upkeep of sand. How do you clean it without sucking it all out. IS it better or worse for building up bacteria??
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
chizunk Enthusiast Posts: 160 Kudos: 164 Votes: 0 Registered: 21-Jun-2004	wat size tank
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
chapman76 Hobbyist Posts: 91 Kudos: 68 Votes: 0 Registered: 28-Apr-2004	Have a long enough tube on the gravel vac to the sand doesn't get sucked out. Lightly go over the sand, don't plunge the vac deep into the sand as done w/ gravel. You should only use about 2" of sand in a tank. Stir it periodically to make sure no gases build up in it. Sand is worse at growing aerobic bacteria simply because air really doesn't get down into it. Oh yeah, make sure the intake tube for the filter is at least 2" above the sand and never have the filter on while vacuuming.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
mike77ca Hobbyist Posts: 89 Kudos: 89 Votes: 0 Registered: 07-Jun-2004	its a ten gallon
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
openwater Fish Addict Posts: 565 Kudos: 551 Votes: 0 Registered: 24-Jul-2004	You can also use your other hand and thumb to control the water coming out of the tube into the bucket. If to much sand is in the siphon tube just partially cover the tube in the bucket with thumb to reduce water flow enough to allow sand to sink and still enough flow to allow debris and poop to flow through siphon and tube.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
gartenzwerfe Big Fish Mrs. Racso To Be Posts: 375 Kudos: 628 Votes: 199 Registered: 20-Mar-2004	When you make the switch, put some of your gravel into a nylon panty hose to regrow the bacteria. Also, unless you get pre-rinsed cichlid sand, you'll need to rinse it. That can be a tedious process Also consider adding small snails (MTS) to help keep the sand mixed. ><>Dani<><
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
chrism Enthusiast Posts: 152 Kudos: 109 Votes: 19 Registered: 14-Jul-2004	i had gravel, prefer sand. when i do my vacs i suck up about a tspoon full of sand, maybe less, so its nothing to worry about. takes all of 10 mins in my 24" tank. i dont know if it is better for good bacteria or not? your cories will love it tho
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
pizpot Big Fish Posts: 382 Kudos: 82 Votes: 1 Registered: 01-Oct-2002	What about them ingesting sand? I was told that could be a problem. (and of course eroded barbels is from disease, not friction)
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
devon7 Big Fish Posts: 475 Kudos: 356 Votes: 4 Registered: 31-Aug-2004	I just switched my 10 gallon to sand because I'm getting rams and I heard they like to dig so this thread answers some of my Q's too, thanks
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
rewd Big Fish Posts: 351 Votes: 0 Registered: 29-Aug-2003	I prefer the look of sand myself . The bacteria build up is a problem tho if you put too much in. The only tank I haven't had a build up problem occuring is in my tank that has the biggest and most active cories since they are constantly digging through it. I put the least amount I'm about to set up a 75g and I can't decide if I'm going to make it a sand substrate or not.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52
chrism Enthusiast Posts: 152 Kudos: 109 Votes: 19 Registered: 14-Jul-2004	i've never heard of a problem with ingesting sand i did wonder when i got mine as i keep a plec, but nope not a problem. as long as the sand isnt coarse erroding barbels wont be a problem either, ive got 2 pictus catfish, and had no problems.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:52


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