• Freshwater
    • Feature Articles
    • Columns
    • Species Profiles
  • Saltwater & Reef
    • Feature Articles
    • Columns
    • Species Profiles
  • Aquatic Plants
    • Feature Articles
    • Columns
    • Species Profiles
  • Aquarium Basics
    • Aquariums
    • Aquascaping
    • Aquarium Setup Guide
    • Filtration
    • Fish Selection & Stocking Guide
    • Foods & Feeding
    • Lighting
    • Maintenance
    • Salt Mix
    • Temperature Control
    • Water & Air Pumps
    • Water Treatment
    • Columns
  • TFH Blogs
    • Adventures in Aquascaping
    • Breeder's Challenge
    • Aquatic News
    • TFH Extras
    • Aquatic Books
    • Aquatic Videos
    • Aquatic Deals
    • Featured Products
    • Industry News
  • Inside TFH Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • View TFH Digital
    • Article Indexes
    • Authors & Columnists
    • Search Archives
    • Covers Gallery
    • Downloads
widget @ surfing-waves.com
  • TFH Forum Main ‹ Plantkeeping Classroom
  • Change font size
  • Print view
  • FAQ
  • Register
  • Sign In
  • New Posts

Changing substrate again...

The Plantkeeping Classroom is for those who dream of creating Amano-like aquascapes but realize that there is much to learn first. If you are just getting started and have questions, post them here and we will do our best to help you become successful.
Post a reply
13 posts • Page 1 of 1

Changing substrate again...

Postby kb46 (2156) » Tue Oct 23, 2007 9:50 pm

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. :shock: Admitting it is causing a fair bit of pain :biglaugh: but I'm hoping it will be a cleansing experience. :clapping:

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
Image
kb46

User avatar
offline

Mentor
Mentor
 
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Australia
  • Website
Top

Postby Crazygar (18146) » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:19 pm

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
"I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."
Crazygar

User avatar
offline

Gary Gnu the Administrator
Gary Gnu the Administrator
 
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:09 am
Location: Belle River, ON
  • Website
Top

Postby Steve Hampton (755) » Tue Oct 23, 2007 10:34 pm

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).
Image
What we tolerate, we will never change.
Steve Hampton

User avatar
offline

Mentor
Mentor
 
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2004 11:02 pm
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
  • Website
Top

Postby kb46 (2156) » Tue Oct 23, 2007 11:51 pm

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
Image
kb46

User avatar
offline

Mentor
Mentor
 
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Australia
  • Website
Top

Postby Crazygar (18146) » Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:15 am

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
"I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."
Crazygar

User avatar
offline

Gary Gnu the Administrator
Gary Gnu the Administrator
 
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:09 am
Location: Belle River, ON
  • Website
Top

Postby kb46 (2156) » Wed Oct 24, 2007 11:06 pm

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
Image
kb46

User avatar
offline

Mentor
Mentor
 
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Australia
  • Website
Top

Postby Crazygar (18146) » Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:25 am

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
"I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."
Crazygar

User avatar
offline

Gary Gnu the Administrator
Gary Gnu the Administrator
 
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:09 am
Location: Belle River, ON
  • Website
Top

Postby kb46 (2156) » Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:29 pm

Maybe I should photograph the swirling eddies of dust as well to remind myself not to ignore commonsense in the future :D
Image
kb46

User avatar
offline

Mentor
Mentor
 
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Australia
  • Website
Top

Postby Crazygar (18146) » Thu Oct 25, 2007 8:47 pm

:rofl: 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
"I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."
Crazygar

User avatar
offline

Gary Gnu the Administrator
Gary Gnu the Administrator
 
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:09 am
Location: Belle River, ON
  • Website
Top

Postby kb46 (2156) » Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:23 pm

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...
Image
kb46

User avatar
offline

Mentor
Mentor
 
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Australia
  • Website
Top

Postby Crazygar (18146) » Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:27 am

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

Gary
"I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."
Crazygar

User avatar
offline

Gary Gnu the Administrator
Gary Gnu the Administrator
 
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:09 am
Location: Belle River, ON
  • Website
Top

Postby kb46 (2156) » Fri Oct 26, 2007 10:16 pm

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...
Image
kb46

User avatar
offline

Mentor
Mentor
 
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 1:29 am
Location: Australia
  • Website
Top

Postby Crazygar (18146) » Sat Oct 27, 2007 4:53 pm

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

Gary
"I would rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not."
Crazygar

User avatar
offline

Gary Gnu the Administrator
Gary Gnu the Administrator
 
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:09 am
Location: Belle River, ON
  • Website
Top


Post a reply
13 posts • Page 1 of 1

Return to Plantkeeping Classroom

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


° C = ° F             Litres = US Gallons             cm = Inches            
  • TFH Forum Main
  • The team • Delete all board cookies • All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group

To bring together Aquatic Hobbyists from around the World sharing experiences, teaching, and learning to succeed in the Hobby while building friendships with other passionate Hobbyists

Advertise with TFH | Sell with TFH Magazine | Email Preferences | Submission Guidelines | FAQ | Subscriptions | Contact Us | Site Map | Legal Terms | Privacy Policy
©2007 Tropical Fish Hobbyist, a Central Garden and Pet Company. Proud to be partners with PetUniversity.com
cron