Fish Tank and Sand Advice...?

Question

I have a fish tank with sand, instead of rocks. I think the silt is killing my filter motor. Has anyone had experience with this? Any advice?

Answer 1

I have had some issues with this as well. I solved my issues by removing everything from the tank except the sand and the water. From here you can do 2 things depending on weather it's cycled or not.

1. uncycled - Remove the sand and put some of it into a bucket. Remove the water from the tank and refill. Fill the bucket about 1/2 way with water and stir the heck out of it. Wait 10 - 30 seconds and dump the water. Repeat untill it runs crystal clear. Then do it for all the sand. Return it to the tank. Let it settle. Try the filter and do water changes on any remaining particles. Then cycle the tank and add you stuff

2. Cycled - This is risky but it could save your filter. Remove everything and turn off the filter. Stir the heck out of you tank. Let it settle for about 30 seconds to 1 min then do a 50% water change. After a few days repeat untill you water is cleared up shortly after stirring (1-3 min). This will save some bacteria and hopefully not ruin your chemistry to bad. Definatly test your tank and let it cycle (since your filter will still have bacteria and some will be left from the sand it won't take to long. Mine was done in about 2 weeks or less.

If your sand is very fine then wait longer befor dumping the bucket/changing water since it will take longer to settle.

That should work and if not - find new larger grain sized sand for the top layer. I hear play sand works well for this but you need to clean it really good. I don't know about that personally - i'm testing it in a tank right now actually and it seams ok so far but i haven't tested the water yet.

Answer 2

the undergravel filter or other filters being used? If it is the undergravel filter sand has a tendency to clog them it the only problem with using that type of filter with sand as substrate the good thing is sand is easily vaccumed because the dirt and watse just sits right on top of it and just slowly runn your syphon vaccuum over it to remove the waste. If you are talking about your other filter then do what PeeTee said and add a sponge over the filter intake.

Answer 3

enable the tank cycle first or you've gotten ammonia project concerns that could kill your fish. 10 gallons do no longer carry lots so a ideas as fish is going. one million-2 small fish such as guppies. you may head with 7 small tetras like the neon tetras. 4-5 glowfish can be an spectacular decision. to any quantity added than this and your bioload could be to intense and algae could be an uncontrollable project via way of intense nitrates.

Answer 4

Clean the filter thoroughly,and then add a sponge pre-filter to the intake.

Answer 5

You should get rid of the sand and replace it with shells. They are easier to clean and will not ruin your filter moter.

Answer 6

not me