Regret using white sand

Aquaticus · 03-21-2013, 01:59 PM

The following is a data point for people looking at using white sand:

Well, I really liked the look of the white pool sand that I used in my 65, but now that the tank has been set up for about 3 months, I'm not very happy with all of the little piles of fish excrement all over the place. I've got a fairly dense carpet of dwarf sag in the front of the tank, but it is still noticeable. I took a few pics, but it doesn't really come through on the pics. In addition, the white sand makes the pictures look a little washed out, but it looks better in reality.

Next time: STS like my 75.

AirstoND · 03-22-2013, 01:52 AM

That could be a diatom outbreak usually common on new sand setups.

Consider Nerites, pygmy cories, otos, or if you're really desperate pond snails or Malaysian trumpet snails

Have you rinsed or soaked thoroughly for a day or two?

Chrisinator · 03-22-2013, 01:57 AM

If I were to switch to sand, I would definetely recommend the black one.

Knotyoureality · 03-22-2013, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisinator

If I were to switch to sand, I would definetely recommend the black one.

Black has the same problem as white. Fish waste/plant debris looks dark against white, looks dusty brown against black.

I get around the problem in my community tank by using a "natural" (rather than stark white) sand and having tons of MTS and in my nano tanks by using a mix of natural and black sand.

**thelub** · 03-22-2013, 02:25 AM

I have the same problem with my pool filter sand. Looks great in real life, but hard to get decent photos with it. I had to return my pleco to the LFS because his poop piles were too much for me to handle.

Zolek · 03-22-2013, 04:43 AM

I solved this problem by putting powerheads with diffuse flow (hydor koralia nano x2 for my 40B) at the back of the tank facing the front. Water hits the front, flows down, then hits the bottom and flows to the back. Carries all the waste to the back of the tank, and then circular filter flow carries it all to a back corner you can't see. Looks super clean 24-7 and I couldn't be happier about it.

Aquaticus · 03-22-2013, 02:53 PM

I like the powerhead idea. I originally had a spraybar on the back of the tank facing forward that might have done something similar. I took the spraybar out after getting some rainbows though, since they align to face the direction of the current, and I was tired of looking at their tails all the time! I may move the rainbows to the 75 and put the spraybar back in and see if that helps.

03-21-2013, 01:59 PM	#1
Aquaticus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Middleton, WI Posts: 71	Regret using white sand The following is a data point for people looking at using white sand: Well, I really liked the look of the white pool sand that I used in my 65, but now that the tank has been set up for about 3 months, I'm not very happy with all of the little piles of fish excrement all over the place. I've got a fairly dense carpet of dwarf sag in the front of the tank, but it is still noticeable. I took a few pics, but it doesn't really come through on the pics. In addition, the white sand makes the pictures look a little washed out, but it looks better in reality. Next time: STS like my 75.

03-22-2013, 02:25 AM	#5
thelub Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: SE Washington Posts: 604	I have the same problem with my pool filter sand. Looks great in real life, but hard to get decent photos with it. I had to return my pleco to the LFS because his poop piles were too much for me to handle. __________________ My 45g low tech jungle My 1g nano planted shrimparium Don't buy styrofoam for your DIY background

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03-22-2013, 01:52 AM	#2
AirstoND Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 1,189	That could be a diatom outbreak usually common on new sand setups. Consider Nerites, pygmy cories, otos, or if you're really desperate pond snails or Malaysian trumpet snails Have you rinsed or soaked thoroughly for a day or two?

03-22-2013, 01:57 AM	#3
Chrisinator Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (24/100%) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,788	If I were to switch to sand, I would definetely recommend the black one.

03-22-2013, 04:43 AM	#6
Zolek Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (5/100%) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 114	I solved this problem by putting powerheads with diffuse flow (hydor koralia nano x2 for my 40B) at the back of the tank facing the front. Water hits the front, flows down, then hits the bottom and flows to the back. Carries all the waste to the back of the tank, and then circular filter flow carries it all to a back corner you can't see. Looks super clean 24-7 and I couldn't be happier about it.

03-22-2013, 02:53 PM	#7
Aquaticus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Middleton, WI Posts: 71	I like the powerhead idea. I originally had a spraybar on the back of the tank facing forward that might have done something similar. I took the spraybar out after getting some rainbows though, since they align to face the direction of the current, and I was tired of looking at their tails all the time! I may move the rainbows to the 75 and put the spraybar back in and see if that helps.