Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: jwalser18 on June 10, 2013, 04:18:22 PM

Title: Sand in the 55..
Post by: jwalser18 on June 10, 2013, 04:18:22 PM

Okay, so this is my first sanded tank, and so far I literally hate it. I have 2 HOB's atm.. and the sand has already destroyed 2! (now the 2nd 2 are starting to go! I have sponges on the intakes of the filters, but sand still gets up there. I cleaned the sand really well, and still no luck. I wanted sand as thats there natural habitat but I'm done with destroying filters.. any suggestions?

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: four_by_ken on June 10, 2013, 04:21:40 PM

What sand did you use?

What fish?

Do you turn off the filters when stirring it up, cleaning, etc?


I have 3 sand tanks and no issues. 

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: jwalser18 on June 10, 2013, 04:24:01 PM

I got the sand from my father. it's INSANELY FINE.. like I cannot stress it enough. I shut off everything when doing maintence. Community of mbuna's.

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: jwalser18 on June 10, 2013, 04:24:42 PM

it's seriously so frustrating.. constantly cleaning the damn intake because it starts grinding!


(http://i1284.photobucket.com/albums/a567/jonathanwalser/Fish%20Galore/b2bc6bc1-1ba0-41aa-83fa-fe7b7486e476_zps6c473be3.jpg) (http://s1284.photobucket.com/user/jonathanwalser/media/Fish%20Galore/b2bc6bc1-1ba0-41aa-83fa-fe7b7486e476_zps6c473be3.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: four_by_ken on June 10, 2013, 04:27:12 PM

I think you have already answered your own question... that sand is too fine.

I have play sand in two tanks and aquarium sand in the first one I set up.

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: jwalser18 on June 10, 2013, 04:42:32 PM

can you post a pic of the play sand?

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: jwalser18 on June 10, 2013, 04:47:09 PM

this play sand?

http://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/landscaping-materials/ground-cover-materials/white-play-sand/p-1934742-c-5784.htm

or pool filter sand #20 silica?

what will stay put better?

last question... how to change the sand :o

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: tugboat on June 10, 2013, 06:50:55 PM

I use pool filter sand and love it, not to fine and stays put.

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: jcunningham0295 on June 10, 2013, 09:43:54 PM

Pool filter sand is bigger and works great.  I have no issues with my emperors.  Also you need to make sure the intake is properly spaced from the sand.

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: Loon36cf on June 10, 2013, 09:49:43 PM

I got some good advice and I took it and everything is working great. I grabbed the medium grit paver sand from Home Depot and my intake is at least 5 inches from the bottom. Here is the thread.

http://michigancichlid.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=3212.0

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: Regalblue on June 11, 2013, 10:24:00 AM

Change it out using a dustpan or net to scoop it.

Title: Re: Sand in the 55..
Post by: Michael Zebrowski on June 11, 2013, 10:31:40 AM

Adding a sponge filter to the intake also helps keep sand away from the impellers.  Need to clean the sponges frequently, though.