stardotstar
Mon Oct 02, 2006, 12:26 PM
Hi all,
I am starting to setup my 125Gallon 5' setup and have chosen white sand as the substrate for a minimalist, unplanted aquarium.
I was advised to ensure that the sand was well mixed in to avoid pockets or bubbles which can form toxic compounds later on.
Having thoroughly washed the sand and ensured that it did not change the chemistry over the course of a week in a sample bucket I have added the sand in bucket loads to my empty tank and then added water.
My wife suggested I add the sand once there is water in the tank because I was mentioning the importance of getting all the air out of it.
What i did was get the water level well above the sand and used my hand to agitate it and get as much of it as possible suspended in the water as I went thoroughly from one end of the tank to the other. The tank was basically fizzling and hissing with schwepervesence at first but after several turns the sand seems to have settled.
Is this going to be ok or do I need to do something more?
I will let the cloudiness settle and will fill and condition the tank before starting my filter once the temperature is stable. The tank will sit with 80L in it overnight with the air stones agitating it before I continue the filling process.
The last run I did through the sand was to make an attempt to aqua-scape it with a raking effect toward the rear which I have always done with my gravel.
Looks great. I'll post pics once I have clearer water :)
Advice and opinions appreciated.
Will
UPDATE: I am reading that H2S will only become a problem when the substrate is very deep and organic material is in it to create the gas... In an unplanted tank with sand that is only 1-2" deep and well maintained I am guessing I won't have a problem.
Some links:
http://www.fishinthe.net/html/section-viewarticle-50.html
http://www.plantgeek.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1424
I am starting to setup my 125Gallon 5' setup and have chosen white sand as the substrate for a minimalist, unplanted aquarium.
I was advised to ensure that the sand was well mixed in to avoid pockets or bubbles which can form toxic compounds later on.
Having thoroughly washed the sand and ensured that it did not change the chemistry over the course of a week in a sample bucket I have added the sand in bucket loads to my empty tank and then added water.
My wife suggested I add the sand once there is water in the tank because I was mentioning the importance of getting all the air out of it.
What i did was get the water level well above the sand and used my hand to agitate it and get as much of it as possible suspended in the water as I went thoroughly from one end of the tank to the other. The tank was basically fizzling and hissing with schwepervesence at first but after several turns the sand seems to have settled.
Is this going to be ok or do I need to do something more?
I will let the cloudiness settle and will fill and condition the tank before starting my filter once the temperature is stable. The tank will sit with 80L in it overnight with the air stones agitating it before I continue the filling process.
The last run I did through the sand was to make an attempt to aqua-scape it with a raking effect toward the rear which I have always done with my gravel.
Looks great. I'll post pics once I have clearer water :)
Advice and opinions appreciated.
Will
UPDATE: I am reading that H2S will only become a problem when the substrate is very deep and organic material is in it to create the gas... In an unplanted tank with sand that is only 1-2" deep and well maintained I am guessing I won't have a problem.
Some links:
http://www.fishinthe.net/html/section-viewarticle-50.html
http://www.plantgeek.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1424