Hooked on Sand

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

After a ton of years with either crushed coral or bare bottom tank's I recently decided that a sand bottom for my show 135 was worth a try. Not only does it look great but provides another thing in the tank for the fish to occupy themselves with. Virtually all the fish enjoy sifting through it and hunting for food. I'm sure the fish will benefit from it as when they're sifting, it seems to make them super relaxed . I think of it like exercise for us. Another thing is that I was alway's worried about food getting mixed into it and fouling the tank. Wrong , it sit's right on top and with the sifting going on this is highly unlikely to happen. Water changing is also easy as you don't really need to vacuum it, just remove water. I'd recommend trying out a sand bottom tank to anyone who's shyed away from it .

[mack74]

I couldn't agree more. I just did the same in my 150 and they really seem to love it!!!

[eggzackary]

So lets see some pics of your 135........................

[LuvMiCichlids]

Could we see some pics?

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

I'll try to snap a better video tomorrow.

[emartin]

In case people are wondering, the sand is 3m Colorquartz S Grade Buff color.

Didn't you also mix it in with the crushed coral I gave you AMBUSHPREDATOR?

Anyway I couldn't agree more. I love sand soooo much better than gravel and highly recommend it for display tanks. For quarantines, hospitals, etc, I am still a fan of Stone-Spray painted bottoms... ( http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=79 I used the Tuscan Rock one which looks just like sand from above).

~Ed

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

I didn't mix it , colorquartz only in the 135. I could use another 20lbs though?

[emartin]

I didn't mix it , colorquartz only in the 135. I could use another 20lbs though?

I don't think I have any more I could spare. I'm not even sure how much I have left.

This is where I got them from though: http://www.agsco.com/ They're in North Jersey in Hasbrouck Heights and they sell it for $20 I think for a 50lb bag...$20 or $25.... And they have a 2 bag minimum purchase I believe.

This page shows all the colors and sizes they carry: http://www.tera-lite.com/3M_colorchart.html

~Ed

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

I cant wait to go back to work , after seeing the website I remembered that this sand is used on alot of job's I work on for colored resin floor's. They dump the sand into a hard laquer in bathroom's and kitchen area's. Free sand yeah.:beerchug:

[audiko4]

I used estes black sand in my tank, cleaning it was easier than I taught. My fronts love it.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r8/audiko4/aquarium/P1000884.jpg

[maddog10]

Black sand in a Front tank will really make their colors come out!

The only thing I would caution you on, is using deep sand beds. These tend to create anaerobic areas and can cause problems for your tank. I only use about 1/2" - 3/4" in my tanks. Colorquartz is great, it comes in several different colors. A lot of planted tank folks use the black in their tanks, I have 2 bags laying around here somewhere. I mainly use pool filter sand. Grains are a little larger than play sand, does not have the real sharp edges that regular construction grade silica sand does and it is a lot cleaner. Couple of quick rinses and it is ready for the tank.

Here it is in one of my catfish tanks.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Fish/Scleromystax%20barbatus/s-barbatus-1.jpg