Sand vs. Gravel????

[MJY6087]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

where can you buy crushed coral?

[Spot86t]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I think it was Petsmart where I found mine.  If not, then it was Fishland on the Southwest end.  Call and ask before you make a long trip.  Since I usually keep some trapdoor snails in my tanks I like the crushed coral as it gives the snails the calcium needed to prevent cracks and weaknesses in their shells.

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I bet crushed coral is EXPENSIVE. The pool sand sounds like a good option. How long should I let my tank cycle before I put fish in it? I'm in QUITE A PICKLE, lol. I dont know where in the heck I'm going to put my fish during the transfer of the 75 to the 100!!!  I didn't even think of that. I guess they'll have to live in the 25 long until the sand cycles in the 100. Wow...I hope I don't have too many casualties. Maybe I can pay my LFS to "fish sit" them in their tank for a week. Or maybe not...my LFS is FISH R FUN. EEKK!!!

MY QUESTION:
How long does the sand have to cycle?

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Sand doesn't need to be cycled per se the term is used to describe the building of beneficial bacteria process, which could take from a week to months depending on the process. If you want it to be instant use a filter from an established tank to give it a jump start or a headstart.

Another option is to used de-chlor water and Bio-spira which I used with zero casualties and with supposed "sensitive, instant death if anything goes wrong" fish.

You can buy crushed coral from most LFS and if  they cater to Saltwater junkies then they more than likely carry it. Yes, CC is gonna be more expensive then regular ole PFS but then again PFS does nothing other then add cosmetics to your tank.

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I've talked to a guy from Fish Land who says that he can sell me the majority of my water for a small fee. He cycles it himself and it already has de-chlor and what not in it. Does this sound safe???

The pickle is because the new 100 gallon is coming with new filters and handing filters won't fit on it.

Eklike...thank you for all of your advice. You seem to come to my rescue alot. (:
I think you've replied on everything I've ever posted.
Thank you for being so helpful!!! (same goes for Brownsnoutuk...you're a very helpful guy).

ps- not that the rest of you aren't helpful  :P

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Not a problem alexarae.

I think the guy at Fish Land is selling you purified water or RO/DI water not cycled water, there is actually little to no bacteria floating in water to make it beneficial in a new tank so it won't be of much help. Beneficial bacteria is that slimy film you get inside your filters and without something for the bacteria to feed on it dies.

I would have the guy clarify with you what's what cause the only way for that statement to be true is if he is selling you dirty water from his tanks which isn't really that helpful in regards to the nitrogen cycle.

[Spot86t]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

If you're not going to re-use the substrate that's in your 75 - which likely has a lot of good bacteria in it - here are some ideas - they're just ideas tho not sure how well they might (or might not) work...  Based on what strikes me as logical.

using a shallow tray maybe like one of those they put under plants and putting those in your tank with your old gravel in it

some sort of hanging basket and hang it in the tank. until things get more established.  

put old gravel on one half of the tank floor so you can gradually scoop it out and replace it with newer stuff.  

Mix old with new and put toward the back or where it won't be easily seen - or a fine layer of the new on top to hide it.

Remember tho, if you do any of the above, then don't rinse your old gravel with tap water - the chlorine will kill off what good bacteria is in it.

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I personally wouldnt buy dirty water from a fish store.

What type of filter did you get with the 100? Maybe someone can lend you/trade you the filter media.

[rrocket2002]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

Or maybe a filter from one of your Penguins can fit inside your new canister...

[tinywino]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

This may take more time/space/effort than you are willing or able to spare, but have you considered running one of the new filters in the 75 for awhile before you set up the 100? And I would use as much water, especially from the bottom of the tank around the gravel, as possible from the 75 to fill the 100. I've been told this helps. Good luck!

[MJY6087]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

would 100% white gravel look close to crushed coral?

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

MJY: I tried that once and the gravels got "greenish and redish" in some spots. Maybe it was just my tank though...my algea eaters and shrimp might have been slackers. (:

Maybe I can run my new filter in my old tank for a night or so...hopefully that will help.

I thought that the dirty looking water at the bottom of the tank would be the worst thing to put into my new tank!!

Will it make my new pool sand look dirty?

[SOULJAA]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

What color is the pool filter sand? Also, where can the crushed gravel that looks like sand be purchased?

[alexarae]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

I think the pool sand is white/off white

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Sand vs. Gravel????

You could put a lot of your substrate now in the new tank but keep in in a mesh bag or something if you don't want to re-use it.