how much sand?

[Terri9967]

I am getting two axolotls that were hatched in Jan so they are still babies. I am using sand instead of gravel and was wondering how much sand I should put in bottom. I put a small layer of sand on the bottom of tank but seems most I have seen on here have alot of sand on the bottom of their tanks.

Thanks
Terri

 

[Abrahm]

I feel that the most minimal of coverings is best. This way you don't have to worry much about waste getting trapped in the substrate but your aquarium still has a natural look.

The problem with deeper sand beds is that you can have dead spots form. These are places where the sand packs down and no oxygen goes. Anaerobic bacteria can grow there and create hydrogen sulfide, a gas that is deadly to aquatic animals.

 

[Lisa]

Terri, I have only about 2cm of sand in the bottom of my tank and it's easy to clean and stir up a bit when I'm siphoning water at water changes. But my axies have created a race track around the edge of the tank and exposed the glass bottom anyway, by displacing the sand due to their partying :grin:.