Changing substrate again...

[kb46]

OK, I admit defeat! Putting sand in a high flow tank set up for a hillstream loach was probably one of the stupidest things I've done. Admitting it is causing a fair bit of pain but I'm hoping it will be a cleansing experience.

Rather than tearing down the tank again, I was thinking of scooping some sand out from the surface and putting gravel back over the top. I want to keep some Amazon Sword, Egeria Najas, and Wisteria in the calmer sections.

Q1. Would this work or would I be faced with a cloud every time I vacuum the gravel?

Q2. How thick would the layer of gravel need to be? ie. Thick enough to stop the sand stirring up yet thin enough to vacuum in the bare areas.

Kylie

[Crazygar]

So you plan to keep some Sand in. You most likely will have to experiment with Gravel Depth, though I would suggest at least 1.5" to hold the sand down underneath.

Its a demon, I've had to "adjust" my flow in my SW tank for the same reason. Coming home to sand storm is not pretty.

Gary

[Steve Hampton]

How deep is the sand? I often make a "homemade" substrate that is 2-3 inches of sand and topped with about an 1 inch of river rock (slightly larger than aquarium gravel).

[kb46]

So you plan to keep some Sand in

I thought it would be better for the swords and wisteria to have some sand. I mixed in some Tetra InitialSticks when I put it in there.

The sand is about 2" deep now. Perhaps I can just add the gravel on top? It is a quartz gravel about 0.6-0.8mm. But then the tank is only 13" deep so 3" of substrate may look out of proportion.

Then there's the problem of stirring out anaerobic pockets in the bare parts of the tank...

Mmmm... could be better to forget the swords and wisteria, remove most of the sand and use Java ferns instead...

Coming home to sand storm is not pretty

LOL I like the sand in my other tanks because it looks so tranquil - swirling eddies of dust aren't quite doing it for me in this tank!

Kylie

[Crazygar]

If you can, try and remove some sand. Shut off all sources of water circulation and do this. Use a small cup. Its tedious job, but it might be easier and less messy this way. I would remove the sand layer down to 1" and then top with 1" of gravel.

Gary

[kb46]

Sounds like a plan.

I've used the cup method before - works a treat. It's only a small tank so won't be a biggie. Also, shouldn't disturb the inhabitants much.

It's actually my 5yo's tank and also in our living room - she loves pink and pretty, I love natural - ideas to mesh these too together have been slow in coming. I had a brainwave about aquascaping it last night, so can't wait to start.

Kylie

[Crazygar]

I've found myself flying out of bed at 2am to try out an idea I just thought up. This is the reason behind my drive I guess. Let us know how it went. If you can photograph the progress it would be great for others to see.

Gary

[kb46]

Maybe I should photograph the swirling eddies of dust as well to remind myself not to ignore commonsense in the future

[Crazygar]

We've all done something. Hindsight is always 20/20. I've done a few things as well that I've had to go and redo the tank after its been running. In fact, most of us have.

Gary

[kb46]

I will post the full series of before and after when it's done.

If I was feeling generous I would say "to help prevent others from making the same mistake" but I saw pictures of tanks in sandstorms before I made my own. Eternal optimist or just plain old stubborn ostrich? I'm afraid it's the latter...

[Crazygar]

Ostrich, I've always referred to that as "Stubborn Goat". Looking forward to the pics my friend. Your tanks are always neat.

Gary

[kb46]

Ostrich as in "likes to keep head in sand"

Did you mean
Goat as in "likes to hit head against hard objects"? That works too...

Careful with the compliments - I might start to resemble a peacock, LOL!

Wouldn't you know it - the camera is refusing to auto-focus. I'm going to have to read the manual to find out how to focus manually... and then try to work out whether it is the camera or the user at fault for the auto-focus problem...

[Crazygar]

Hitting head against hard objects. That would definately sum it up.

Gary