FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have read in the past that sand is not good for a planted tank. Whats everyones feed back?

IME it didn't work out well at all.

Sand in the tank just didn't work, killed impellers on filters, killed powerheads, killed coyrs, killed plants. I even tried having the plants grow in aquatic plant soil and the sand separate and still didn't have a good time.

I've heard others do ok with it, my results were disappointing boarding on the disastrous.


^_^

Hi,
True sand has very small grains and very tiny spaces
between the individual grains. When piled atop
one another there is no chance for water circulation
between the grains. When piled atop each other what
little space there is between grains very small and
will become clogged with detritus, sometimes within
days of filling the tank.
This lack of circulation, and clogged spaces, creates
areas of anaerobic bacteria. This bacteria attacks any
organic waste and turns it into toxic compounds that
can kill your fish and plants. It is generally a black
area within the sand and also gives off Hydrogen Sulfide
(H2S) (rotten egg smell). Hydrogen Sulfide is toxic to
plants and fish.

Sand is a form of Silica oxide (SiO2) and is completely
inert. It will not react with water to change your
water's chemistry. Nor, will it provide any minerals
or elements for plant growth. If you chose sand or other
form of silica, you will have to provide the needed
fertilizers for the plants.

Sand as a substrate, especially sand that has not been
throughly washed, will release silica powder into the
water column where it will become food for diatoms and
will cause an outbreak of "brown algae." It is actually
just an over abundance of diatoms. Some fish love the
stuff, and most owners hate its appearance.

Substrate in a planted tank should have a depth of between
3 and 4 inches thick. This allows virtually any aquatic
plant that you will find for sale for use in an aquarium
to root and create a root ball capable of not only
supporting the plant, but also anchoring it. A sand bed
that thick will exhibit all of the problems noted in the
first two paragraphs.

Because of the small grain size of sand, it is easily
lifted up into the tank currents by you as you clean, or
chase fish with a net, or by the fish themselves as they
chase each other or are startled and scrape against it.
This "floating" sand is easily sucked up into the filter
intakes where it can work its way into the pump section.
In the impeller section it will grind the impeller down
and could even clog the filter.

Having said all that, it is possible to have a great
looking sand substrate. Wash it throughly, keep the
layer thin, no more than an inch and a half to two, max.
plant only plants with small root systems (larger ones
will not anchor and will continuously be found floating
at the surface the next day), and wrap a piece of sponge
material around the intake so that the water must flow
through the sponge and then into the filter (protects
the filter interior and pump). Have the MTS snail in
the tank. They burrow through the sand during the day
light hours and keep it loose. This aids in preventing
compaction of the lower sections. Also have catfish
such as the Corie's to root through the upper 1/8 to 1/4
inch of the surface. Note, however, that if the sand
grains are too sharp, the barbels of the catfish will be
severed and the fish become infected and could die.
The grains would need to be rounded to prevent damage
to the catfish. Weekly, with your water changes you will
need to stir the sand, all over, all the way down to the
glass bottom of the tank, to truly prevent compaction.
That, can damage the root systems of the plants and prevent
them from thriving as they have to reestablish themselves
each week after stirring.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I think every thing has been said about sand. Personally I would not waste my time or money as Babel stated it killed every thing. Plants and the tank might be OK for a short time and you think you have won but in time you will loose.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info
Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW