Toxic gas under the sand

[ptran]

1"-1 1/2"


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+1.

2" max if you want thicker sand. They move the sand around anyway, so you will end up having thicker sand here and there.

[ptran]

So what is the maximum amount of sand i should have in this tank i like the look off thicker sand plus it gives them mode sand to dig in but i dont want it to be harful to the fish either this is my first cichlid tank and im still learning but they seam to be happy ive already had several batches of fry from several fish in here

Cool man. Congrats on the fry!

[Ken B]

Beautiful tank! But way too much gravel. I agree with barrettsline. There should be no more than an inch of gravel in the tank. If you want more gravel then install an undergravel filter. The ug filter pulls water through the gravel so only aerobic bacteria will grow. You have anaerobic bacteria growing and that is creating a toxic environment. But I think the easiest way is to just have a small amount of gravel and use a gravel vac regularly.

[chadw1920]

Awesome info everyone thank you as far as and undergravel goes i dont think you can do that with sand hence the name undergravel i dont think they have a undersand filter

[ptran]

I think that is PFS in that 75 gallon tank.

[chadw1920]

Ok im still learning all the different abbreviations in the hobby can u spell it out for me as i dont know this one yet

[barrettsline]

Pool filter sand


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[chadw1920]

Oh duh lol yes it is as i mentionedin one of the comments above

[chadw1920]

I want to change it to some cichlid sand

[Ken B]

If it is designed to work in a pool filter why wouldn't it work with a ug filter? Pool filter sand works fine with an undergravel filter. It is fine gravel, not really sand like beach sand.

[chadw1920]

Seems like it would glog the grid and possibly get sucked into the filter

[barrettsline]

Sand cannot be used in a UG filter. It does not breath like gravel. It will not allow waste to get under the filter. That's why waste sits on top of sand.


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[barrettsline]

A pool filter is a fluidized bed not an under gravel.


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[Ken B]

Seems like it would glog the grid and possibly get sucked into the filter

A good way to do it is to take the return from your canister filter and run that down the lift tube. You would be pushing the water up through the gravel instead of pulling it through. But I am not necessarily promoting the use of the ug filter. I am just showing one way it could be done. I used to use them a lot but now I am getting away from them. If I use gravel in a tank, I use a small amount and then use other filtration.

[chadw1920]

I agree barrettsline