To Sand Or Not To Sand? -Substrate.

[Gourami Swami]

My problem is to find the waste in the sand is hard to find. But as you do, I like both mediums. Do you think plants can find nutrients easier in gravel or sand¿ Oh and what a great and clever name have o Great Swami of the Finned Ones who came before.

Haha, thanks.
As far as the plants, for a serious planted tank I think a specific planted medium like fluval stratum would be best. Eco-complete is a good option too, though it is inert and is basically just lava rock, it has various sized grains so that larger pieces end up on top, and finer bits go to the bottom, which is supposed to be better for roots to spread. My high-tech planted tank uses eco-complete. Have used the fluval stuff (shrimp substrate really) in nano planted tanks and thought it was great. Large-grain gravel can be difficult for plants to root in, but for plants like anubias and cryptocorynes I have found it works fine. Although fertilizer tabs may be necessary when using "normal" substrates to achieve good growth.

 

[Fishflyer]

pfs = pool filter sand. I use sand in all my tanks. if you have 2-3" of sand it really doesn't develop the gas pockets imho. I only had it happen that I know of in 1 tank years ago it had about 6" or so of sand and when it happened there was a rotten egg type smell that came up (not in a visible bubble) when I stirred the sand. I didn't lose any fish as I did a quick aquarium swap with them. this was in my first tank with sand. also I had a magnum filter that has an impeller on the bottom that sand got in and it actually cut through the housing and leaked all over draining my tank past the intake. no more of that style of filter for me. as for sand I usually use home depot play sand. next tank is going to have garnet blast sand for my pollys.

Yes I have the Magnam filters as secondary filters and closet spares. I hav After 6 months they start to lose of their power. I have cannister filters for my main tanks. I too have Bichirs and am very fond of them. Well thank you for responding and your nice input Kind Gentleman. People really treat other in a very nice manner in these forums.

 

[Fishflyer]

Haha, thanks.
As far as the plants, for a serious planted tank I think a specific planted medium like fluval stratum would be best. Eco-complete is a good option too, though it is inert and is basically just lava rock, it has various sized grains so that larger pieces end up on top, and finer bits go to the bottom, which is supposed to be better for roots to spread. My high-tech planted tank uses eco-complete. Have used the fluval stuff (shrimp substrate really) in nano planted tanks and thought it was great. Large-grain gravel can be difficult for plants to root in, but for plants like anubias and cryptocorynes I have found it works fine. Although fertilizer tabs may be necessary when using "normal" substrates to achieve good growth.

Well I absorbed that information and will keep in mind for future. My plants are all doing well. My underwater gardens I call them. Thank you. I will check out the aquariums you mentioned. I hope to talk with you again in our cyber journeys. Oh Honorable Master of the Deep! I will put forthmore information, ideas and queries and theories that are unsolved.

 

[Chefken]

So do you stir it? I haven't had a problem with impeller either that I know of, I did lose a filter. It was solid state Ebay buy and you couldn't it take apart now I take them apart and check. And I keep the intake a decent distance from the sand. What kind of Eel. Thanks for taking the time to lend your Sir.

I vacuum...with enough water circulation I find very little. My eel is a Borneo Python eel.....

 

[Fishflyer]

Do you use regular size vaccum hose, and if so how do penetrate deeper with out sucking up sand? I figure if I get some sand in the bucket I clean it and return to the tank. When I suction I try not to stir up water and in the fresh water return during water changes I use a hose and stream it against the inside tank wall, or use a deflecter as a cup or even my hand to minimize sand disturbance.

Nice Eel. Interesting name. Does squeeze like a Python or is it the coloring scheme? Nice camouflage behavior. Thanks for the photo.
I have two Senegals and I would like to send pictures, but sadly my device won't support the add a photo format. At least in other places.
I notice that some people use @ info front a person's title, as @Chefken. My device does send pictures to email address or text.
I will try to send a picture in a few minutes, but I will clear some memory space and see if it helps. Didn't work. My reply took so long because I transferred some memory out and got the Eel in position and got a couple shots. It wouldn't send. I'm sorry. I will work on it some more, but don't standby the transporter room, it may take a while, or just not work. I don't understand. It emails photos fine. Well I will talk to you later.

 

[duanes]

Yes Pool Filter Sand
I also only want it deep enough to hold plants, and in tanks without rooted plants, I might only use just above an inch.

In the 6ft tank above, and below, only 50lbs of PFS (the papyrus on the left is potted)

some plants get such a massive root system, only an inch is needed, as in the cryptocorne below

 

[Fishflyer]

Looks nice. You are right crypts don't require much and if they are dislodged or disrooted they tuck in quick. I have quite a few that have reproduced. But some of them contracted a tenacious black algae. I have them islated in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water. I hope it works. I may have to dispose of them so as not to infect my tanks.

 

[Chefken]

Do you use regular size vaccum hose, and if so how do penetrate deeper with out sucking up sand? I figure if I get some sand in the bucket I clean it and return to the tank. When I suction I try not to stir up water and in the fresh water return during water changes I use a hose and stream it against the inside tank wall, or use a deflecter as a cup or even my hand to minimize sand disturbance.

Nice Eel. Interesting name. Does squeeze like a Python or is it the coloring scheme? Nice camouflage behavior. Thanks for the photo.
I have two Senegals and I would like to send pictures, but sadly my device won't support the add a photo format. At least in other places.
I notice that some people use @ info front a person's title, as @Chefken. My device does send pictures to email address or text.
I will try to send a picture in a few minutes, but I will clear some memory space and see if it helps. Didn't work. My reply took so long because I transferred some memory out and got the Eel in position and got a couple shots. It wouldn't send. I'm sorry. I will work on it some more, but don't standby the transporter room, it may take a while, or just not work. I don't understand. It emails photos fine. Well I will talk to you later.

I use my Python for water changes and use that.....suck up and circulates sand and then I lift it and out it comes.....When I used gravel the water would be dark brown.....with sand not so much.

 

[Chefken]

Do you use regular size vaccum hose, and if so how do penetrate deeper with out sucking up sand? I figure if I get some sand in the bucket I clean it and return to the tank. When I suction I try not to stir up water and in the fresh water return during water changes I use a hose and stream it against the inside tank wall, or use a deflecter as a cup or even my hand to minimize sand disturbance.

Nice Eel. Interesting name. Does squeeze like a Python or is it the coloring scheme? Nice camouflage behavior. Thanks for the photo.
I have two Senegals and I would like to send pictures, but sadly my device won't support the add a photo format. At least in other places.
I notice that some people use @ info front a person's title, as @Chefken. My device does send pictures to email address or text.
I will try to send a picture in a few minutes, but I will clear some memory space and see if it helps. Didn't work. My reply took so long because I transferred some memory out and got the Eel in position and got a couple shots. It wouldn't send. I'm sorry. I will work on it some more, but don't standby the transporter room, it may take a while, or just not work. I don't understand. It emails photos fine. Well I will talk to you later.

the eel has a python pattern....not much known about them. Same family as Fire eel but not as big. Never seen one bigger than two feet.

 

[Fishflyer]

If you mean what I think, my Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid does the same thing actually. I have white sand with sky blue pebbles in that tank. The cichlid is always sifting and shifting all aspects of the sand, so it always looks clean. I guess we go start another thread about aquatic cleaning machine beasts