Substrate question

[MichelleRenee68]

Hello,
I currently have 2-75 gal Cichlid aquariums. Right now they bott have gravel substrate but I love the look of sand and am thinking of converting over to sand. My question is.... Can I use Silica "pool" sand?

I have read conflicting stories and thought I would come and see what you all had to say about the matter.

Thank you in advance for your advice :o)

Michelle

[electricblue]

Go for it you won't regret it... Just go to lessies and get you two bags of lps. One per tank. Rinse the sand over and over well till the water stops being so cloudy when you rinse it. Then turn off all your pumps and just replace the gravel with the sand.

Worst outcome would probably be messing up a filter but not a major concern. Just make sure the intake tube isn't too close to the sand. And turn off your pumps any time sand may be stirred up.

There is a risk of I believe toxic and deadly gas pockets forming in the sand bed so the sand must be stirred to release any forming pockets. I would always stirr all the sand real well before I syphoned the water out when I did my weekly water changes. It not only takes care of that but helps release any smaller debris.

[algarciajr]

Hello,
My question is.... Can I use Silica "pool" sand?

Yes, like electricblue mentioned you can buy Leslie's pool filter sand (PFS), I have it in my 125 gallon and stir it around whenever I do my water chages with the gravel vacuum.

[MichelleRenee68]

Thanks for the tips. I went and got the sand and converted one of my tanks over today.. I LOVE IT!! Now that I have one done I will have to do my other tanks as well.