The title is kinda self explanatory. I use sand for substrate to keep my peppered corys happy. no plant substrate under the sand because I don’t want to mess up during a water change and harm my fish. I’m really bad about sucking up sand when I do my water changes, and it’s getting kinda low and causing plants to float up to the surface.
Is there a way to slowly add sand to the tank or swap it out without disrupting the corys and tetras too much?
Photo is a before shot of my 20 gallon long tank. i will show the after shot after hitting the lfs tomorrow to give my tetras and cory’s some more friends.
edit: my tank is not usually this bare i promise!! i was cleaning it up and took the driftwood out to better clean the tank.
Posted by elderscrolls-enjoyer
6 Comments
I used a 2 inch pvc pipe and a funnel and poured the sand into the pvc pipe and was able to guide and layer the sand and soil as needed.
When I add sand I just make sure to wash it really good so it not all dusty and turn my pump off so the water doesn’t move and slowly pour it in it seems to just sink down nice and fast for me and doesn’t dirty the water to much but if I don’t wash it or the water is moving a lot it seems to kick a lot up and cloud the water. I’m going to try that pvc trick the guy said the other comment as well that seems smart
I wash it/thoroughly get it wet. Then put it in a large bowl, put the large bowl in the aquarium and take it to the bottom, and pour gently from the bowl.
When I need to add substrate I put it in an old water bottle (rinse the substrate first if need be), add water till it’s full, then lower the bottle into the tank and pour the substrate out right above the surface of the existing substrate to minimize mess. Works pretty good and can be precise if need be.
Just go for it. 99% of fish will be 100% fine.
I use the ball off of a turkey baster, put the sand in a bowl with treated/tank water and suck it up into the ball. Then I can be more precise with where it goes.