Sand?

[caitlin]

Does anyone know how long sand needs to soak before the clumps work out and the floating sank sinks? I decided since I had to buy a new tank for Mr. Blik and Waffle, I'd try sand since I like how it looks, and it says it needs to soak, but I don't know how long it needs to soak. I also wanted to know how hard sand is to clean, and how often it should be cleaned?

Also, do you think a feed dish would be a good idea for them? Do I just put it on the bottom under water? What kinds of foods can you put in a feed dish that won't float away?

Thanks for putting up with my stupidity!

 

[abrahm]

When I prepared my sand to add to my tank I placed it in an ice cream bucket and ran water over it while stirring it with my hands until the water ran clear. That way I had managed to stir out most of the finer dust particles and other crud that was in the sand. Just soaking won't really do much to clean the sand out.

Maintenance is pretty simple for me. I can use a gravel vacuum siphon on it just fine and I also use a turkey baster to suck out big pieces of debris. I usually gently stir the sand every water change and siphon up noticeable crud and that is about it.

Here's a link to some feeding dish ideas that should get you going:
http://www.caudata.org/forum/messages/7/77506.html?1170403914

 

[rebekka]

What's the brand name of the sand you bought? I've been looking for some at my local aquarium shops and I haven't found any at all. (only sand for saltwater tanks)

thanks.

 

[abrahm]

I actually just went to Menards/Home Depot/Local hardware store and bought a bag of "Play sand" for use in sandboxes for kids. Took quite a bit to rinse all the dust off, but I like the darker look.

If you want lighter sand most pool and spa supply stores will sell silica sand. It is used in filters and is very fine and a nice white to beige color.

With both of these you should be able to get 40 pounds for less than 10 dollars.

 

[derek]

Play sand is not probably the best kind to use as it may be a bit heavy and difficult to clean depending on how deep you have layered the floor of the tank. I use a very thin layer of African riverbed sand which has a darkish red hue to it.

You should really only buy sand that has been prepared for use in aquatic setups.

 

[abrahm]

I find play sand quite easy to clean in my tanks. My substrate is about 0.5" and is easily cleaned with a gravel siphon. The only problem is the amount of work needed to prepare it by repeatedly washing off the dust and lighter particles.

I don't see why you need to buy sand marketed for aquatic setups. Pool filter sand is inert silica; it will not change your pH and comes pretty dang clean to begin with as it is used in expensive pool filters.

Play sand, while dusty, is still mostly inert silica and other inert rocks that have been ground into finer particles. It shouldn't affect water chemistry in any way.

I'm curious as to what makes you say that only products marketed for aquarium use are suitable.

 

[caitlin]

Thanks everyone. FYI the sand I have is stuff that is "marine sand" but if you read the bag closely you will see that it is alright for freshwater habitats, amphibians and reptiles. I like the look, but unfortuneately found out today that it doesn't siphon very easily; it is too light (weight) and easily gets sucked up in the siphon if you're not careful.

Also apparently it makes a good home for planaria, as one graced me with its prescence today before diving back into the sand

 

[rebekka]

thanks for the information ^_^
Hopefully I'll be able to get some sand in my new tank soon.

I was wondering what planaria were, so I looked it up...

It turns out, just last week I found one of those in the batch of blackworms I just bought and I took it out. I was pretty worried as to whether or not they were parasitic, but it's good to know they are not.

...or so wikipedia says. They won't harm the newts if they are eaten, will they?

 

[derek]

I will give a quick short answer to why I said I feel you should only use prepared sand for aquatic setups, the impurities have been removed.

That is my reason for using sand prepared for aquatic setups.