Setting Up Brand New Tank

[thebbqguy]

Hello,

I am beginning to ponder how to set up my new tank properly. I will be using pool sand for substrate. A couple of questions:

1. Do I need to clean it?
2. What is the best method for cleaning it?
3. What happens if it's not cleaned?
4. How much sand will I need for a 75 gallon tank? (I only ask this because I've seen various estimates for this ranging from 25 pounds to 75 pounds.)
5. Should I put something under the sand? I see some pictures with a plastic mat material underneath the sand, which I suppose helps cushion any impacts from larger rocks that might move within the tank.
6. I would like to set up for species that do not require lots and lots rocks. I prefer to use items like clay pots and drift wood vs. 150 - 200 pounds of rocks.

I know these are basic questions for the level of experience for most of those on the forum, but I don't want to screw up from the start. 

Thanks for any tips.

[agirard2003]

1. Yes fully rinse your sand
2. Dump the sand in a bucket about half way and fill with water and use your hand to stir sand around until the water in the bucket is fairly clear.
3. Your tank will be very cloudy for some time until through filtration and water changes you clean the water in that manner
4. 2 normal size pool filter sand bags would do just fine. I can't remember the weight of the bags
5. No. I used light diffuser before but because cichlids are light "underwater earth movers" you will see the light diffuser. Use some slim slabs of stone on the bottom of your rock formations and then pour in your sand after and that will work

[Regalblue]

Yes, rinse the sand. It's not exactly mandatory,  but you don't know what it's been exposed to.
Bucket & hand method for rinsing.
I like to use a thin layer of sand,  because I'm not always keen on stirring it to remove gas pockets. Use what you like, just remember that the deeper the more important the stirring will be.
I usually don't worry about putting eggcrate down for a buffer, but I also don't stack pile rocks. (Depending on species stocked)

 The one thing you want to make sure you do NOT do is having the HOB filters going while you pour sand in. The sand gets in your impellers & destroys them.  Did you get the sponge filter I recommended via pm?  Only run the sponge until things clear up.
 

[thebbqguy]

I haven't been able to find the sponge filter locally just yet. I'll look again tomorrow a couple of other places.

[jcunningham0295]

Another thing is get with a member or two on here and see if you can get seeded sponges.  Helps speed up the cycling process.

[Ron]

IMO, be sure to get the larger grain pool filter sand (typically the larger stuff is tan and the smaller stuff is closer to white). The larger grains are easier to rinse and stay put better on the bottom of the tank.

1. Yes

2. I fill a 5 gallon bucket 1/4-1/3 of the way and run a garden hose in it while stirring by hand until the water runs clear. If you fill the bucket with a larger amount of sand, IMO it's that much more of a pain to stir, heavier to lift, and takes proportionally just as long to clean - no advantage.

3. The tank is a cloudy mess for a time inversely proportional to the amount of time you spent cleaning it. As mentioned, suspended sand could potentially damage impellers as well.

4. The bags of sand should state a volume. Figure out how deep you want the sand bed and then do the math. 

5. I use lighting diffuser ("egg crate").

6. Is there a question here? It reads more as a statement.

[thebbqguy]

Ron,

Sorry about #6. I thought that might matter regarding how much sand (how deep) it needed to be depending on whether I planned to use a lot of rocks (i.e. weight) in the tank vs. not used a lot of rocks and weight in the tank.

[Regalblue]

I haven't been able to find the sponge filter locally just yet. I'll look again tomorrow a couple of other places.

You probably won't be able to find the pro version locally.  I'd just order it... http://www.kensfish.com/cgi-kensfish/sb/ss_mb.cgi?storeid=*14884f2aaab140560cc4d786&ss_parm=Ad68034019ea3a135fe541d3e27a87411

[Ron]

If I had a tank cloudy from new sand, I think the standard hydrosponge would be better over the pro version, because it'll catch smaller particles.

I have sand in almost all of my tanks - just wash it really well to start with and I wouldn't worry about the filter specifics so much. Just keep any power filter intakes up and away from the sand bed. Also be aware of fish that might dig and learn to spit sand into the intake strainer. Mine are typically 4"-6" off the bottom at least.

I don't think that the depth of the sand factors into the rock work. You want the rocks to rest against the base of the tank, not on top of the sand. If the rocks start sitting atop the sand, the fish will dig and may result in rockpiles that move/fall.

[Maize-N-Blue-D]

With the temps still in the colder range, cleaning sand in a bucket would make for a very cold hand,  there is another way to clean sand without having to fully submerse your hand in a bucket.  I learned this method by reading posts on this forum and it is by far the easiest method I have even used.   Take an old pillow case, fill it no more than 2/3's full with sand and use a spray nozzle on your hose "inside" the pillow case to clean the sand.  Works great.... When you see the clean water coming out of the pillow case you done.  I then empty the pillow case into a bucket and transport it to the tank.... You can also cut holes into the bottom of a bucket, place the pillowcase inside the bucket and rinse the sand that way as well.   Make sure the pillow case it taller than the bucket, you can then pull up on sides of the pillow case while rinsing the sand.  Again your hand does not have to be submersed in the cold water...

Good luck !

[thebbqguy]

Is the ATI Hydro Sponge Pro Filter self-contained and does it come with everything I need, or will I need additional items to make it work properly?

I've been reading about them, but some use them with air stones and some with a power head. I don't understand the different nuisances.

[Ron]

Is the ATI Hydro Sponge Pro Filter self-contained and does it come with everything I need, or will I need additional items to make it work properly?

The sponge would come with all it's pieces (base/sponge/uplift tube, but would not include an air pump or powerhead to drive the water.

I've been reading about them, but some use them with air stones and some with a power head. I don't understand the different nuisances.

The air stones aren't necessary and the powerhead is to provide greater flow than you would get on an air-driven system alone (not that higher flow is necessarily better).

[Motorcity7.3]

BBQ,if you need a sponge filter I have one.

[dexternovice]

With the temps still in the colder range, cleaning sand in a bucket would make for a very cold hand,  there is another way to clean sand without having to fully submerse your hand in a bucket.  I learned this method by reading posts on this forum and it is by far the easiest method I have even used.   Take an old pillow case, fill it no more than 2/3's full with sand and use a spray nozzle on your hose "inside" the pillow case to clean the sand.  Works great.... When you see the clean water coming out of the pillow case you done.  I then empty the pillow case into a bucket and transport it to the tank.... You can also cut holes into the bottom of a bucket, place the pillowcase inside the bucket and rinse the sand that way as well.   Make sure the pillow case it taller than the bucket, you can then pull up on sides of the pillow case while rinsing the sand.  Again your hand does not have to be submersed in the cold water...

Good luck !

Brilliant! I'd imagine that this will also save time.  If I ever use sand as a substrate, I hope that I remember this.

[thebbqguy]

I am using the pillow case method this afternoon.