I set up my first tank today, and I used Fluval stratum substrate. I rinsed it as it says under its directions but still it was almost pitch black. I let it settle for hours and tried to do a gentle little change in my tank, and it became pitch black again. I used this method and actually cap sand on the substrate in a water filled tank Lol. It looks a lot less cloudy now as there are some sand dust particles that would be cleared by the filter anyway.
I have gravel in my 36 gallon tank. I want to update it (it's 8 years old) with an aquascape. I wanted to add a few sandy patches to it. I thought my kuhli would like the smoother bottom surface. Is moving my gravel around to where I want it, instead of removing it all, then adding the sand to the empty spaces the way to do this? I like the lack of mess with the cup dispersal.
While you were showing your video to put sand in there it looked like there was no fish in the tank. I need to know if I can leave my fish and everything else in the tank you first showed a tank with fish and then when you were putting the sand in there was no fish in the water. Can I do it with my fish still in the tank?
I noticed this too. I want to add sand on top of my gravel substrate. I have lots of plants and two large goldfish. I want to add sand with a minimum of disruption. The video title is a trifle misleading.
I did not see this video until after I had put the sand in. My tank is cloudy, do I just give it a few days and hope it clears? Do another water change to clear out the dust?? Help!!
Another water change won't hurt yeah. Probably still less than 50% not to shock the fish too much. I've heard that the cloudiness from sand isn't that bad for them. Might need to change your filter floss soon as it'll be catching a lot of it for you
Hi, thinking about adding sand to an already established aquarium 120L, doing bit of research and my only concern it its going to effect my nitrate, ammonia levels etc as the substrate hasn't had time to cycle? Is this a concern or?
Multiple factors come into this…. How heavily stocked your tank is and how much bio load, if your filter alone is already dealing with the bio load so no need for filtration from your substrate. If you are worried, just do half at a time, leave it 6/7 days between, feed very lightly and do 1 or two water changes between the sand change over. Do a big filter clean 2 weeks before to kill off any old and weak bacteria to make room for stronger new BB.
First off thats not even half enough sand for that tank. Secondly now that your sand is “cleaned” is saturated in disgusting tap water which you just voluntarily poured into your tank. Thirdly you stated that bacteria should be held in your filter and not in your sand and wood and plants… this is purely false. Canister filters barely do anything in regards to your bacterial load. Bacteria lives in sand and wood, always. Do more research bro😅
When you say”enough” sand, does that mean i xNt put a tiny like 1/4 inch layer of sand on the bottom of my turtle tank. Obvious more is better but would 1/4 be an issue?
@michaelcalegari don't put anything in your turtle tank but a haul out and a hide. Your turtle will stir up and cloud that tank all day, everyday! I've had my turtle for 12 years and I found she will destroy nearly everything, including driftwood as she is so large now! (Adopted her when she was so tiny-4 tanks later and she lives in a 250 gal custom tank with built-in ramp and basking platform.) Used a regular very large garden pot, cut holes for a door way, and windows with a special blade (diamond?) On a dremel! She seems happy and there is noting to hold onto her waste, for ease of vacuuming and water changes. Best luck!
Wow, this is sooo much better than all that super cleaning and stuff. Just regular cleaning and putting it like this would be awesome
No way! 🤯Thank you so much! Exactly what I needed to know.
Thanks for some useful tips.
Exactly what I was looking for !
I prefer this method far more, thanks
Easiest way to do it I find!
Thank you ❤
I set up my first tank today, and I used Fluval stratum substrate. I rinsed it as it says under its directions but still it was almost pitch black. I let it settle for hours and tried to do a gentle little change in my tank, and it became pitch black again. I used this method and actually cap sand on the substrate in a water filled tank Lol. It looks a lot less cloudy now as there are some sand dust particles that would be cleared by the filter anyway.
Your mistake was washing the fluval substrate, your washing away the goodness. Washing the sand is a must tho
I have gravel in my 36 gallon tank. I want to update it (it's 8 years old) with an aquascape. I wanted to add a few sandy patches to it. I thought my kuhli would like the smoother bottom surface. Is moving my gravel around to where I want it, instead of removing it all, then adding the sand to the empty spaces the way to do this? I like the lack of mess with the cup dispersal.
While you were showing your video to put sand in there it looked like there was no fish in the tank. I need to know if I can leave my fish and everything else in the tank you first showed a tank with fish and then when you were putting the sand in there was no fish in the water. Can I do it with my fish still in the tank?
I noticed this too. I want to add sand on top of my gravel substrate. I have lots of plants and two large goldfish. I want to add sand with a minimum of disruption. The video title is a trifle misleading.
I did not see this video until after I had put the sand in. My tank is cloudy, do I just give it a few days and hope it clears? Do another water change to clear out the dust?? Help!!
Another water change won't hurt yeah. Probably still less than 50% not to shock the fish too much. I've heard that the cloudiness from sand isn't that bad for them. Might need to change your filter floss soon as it'll be catching a lot of it for you
can you recommend a decent vac for sand?
i have fluval provac and think its awful!
Hi Joanne, take a look at my latest video on cleaning big tanks ;)
Pro vac is best for stone substrate.
What vacuum are you using?
Hi, thinking about adding sand to an already established aquarium 120L, doing bit of research and my only concern it its going to effect my nitrate, ammonia levels etc as the substrate hasn't had time to cycle? Is this a concern or?
Multiple factors come into this…. How heavily stocked your tank is and how much bio load, if your filter alone is already dealing with the bio load so no need for filtration from your substrate.
If you are worried, just do half at a time, leave it 6/7 days between, feed very lightly and do 1 or two water changes between the sand change over.
Do a big filter clean 2 weeks before to kill off any old and weak bacteria to make room for stronger new BB.
👍👍
How would you do a 75 gallon
Can you use the sand for just substrate and use a over the top filter?
Does anyone have a link to that rock hide in the aquarium?
How many kg of fine sand do I need for a 4 foot tank 350l.. thought you might no
Here you go, use this 👇🏻
www.swelluk.com/aquarium-substrate-calculator
Which type of sand is that? Looks really good
JBL Sansibar white 👍🏻
River sand is good
I should of watched this today I just stripped my tank and started back up with sand but didn’t wash my sand as the aquarium shop said it’s pre washed
Rookie mistake
@Amandarobertson-d70 did it turn out fine
Does the tap water hurt the fish?
Yes. Tap water may have chemicals in it, you can buy a water conditioner from the pet store and follow it's directions and add it to the water
I use Seachem Prime to condition my tropical fish tank and my axolotl tank.
Is your tank hanging off the stand on the corner..surely that's not good lol
First off thats not even half enough sand for that tank. Secondly now that your sand is “cleaned” is saturated in disgusting tap water which you just voluntarily poured into your tank.
Thirdly you stated that bacteria should be held in your filter and not in your sand and wood and plants… this is purely false. Canister filters barely do anything in regards to your bacterial load. Bacteria lives in sand and wood, always. Do more research bro😅
When you say”enough” sand, does that mean i xNt put a tiny like 1/4 inch layer of sand on the bottom of my turtle tank. Obvious more is better but would 1/4 be an issue?
Stop being a ungreatful bastard, he showing you how to put sand in with out making a mess. Stop criticising.
@michaelcalegari don't put anything in your turtle tank but a haul out and a hide. Your turtle will stir up and cloud that tank all day, everyday! I've had my turtle for 12 years and I found she will destroy nearly everything, including driftwood as she is so large now! (Adopted her when she was so tiny-4 tanks later and she lives in a 250 gal custom tank with built-in ramp and basking platform.) Used a regular very large garden pot, cut holes for a door way, and windows with a special blade (diamond?) On a dremel! She seems happy and there is noting to hold onto her waste, for ease of vacuuming and water changes. Best luck!
Bruh should’ve kept the fishy poop on the bottom great fertilizer 😂 for them plants