some questions regarding my tank

yongpanda · 11/29/2009, 04:32 PM

I jsut got live sand. is it ever too fine? is it a bad thing if i have very fine sand?

another issue was aquascaping. i wanted to give the fish a home at the same time make sure they're visible most of the time. I was starting to wonder how to aquascape my tank. here are some picures, can you tell me which one is better and any critiques would be great.

recent aquascaping
#1
fts

rightside

left side

#2
fts

cloak · 11/29/2009, 04:39 PM

I prefer mixing the grains. When it's all the same, it's pretty much stuck. With mixed grains, weight will come into play, constantly shifting, a good thing IMO. I do like the aquascaping in the first picture. Looks cool.

Blownsvt · 11/29/2009, 06:10 PM

the only issue i know of with really fine sand grains is that when there is heavy flow over the sand you can have a tough time keeping it where you want it and not causing a sand storm.

aaronnohren · 11/29/2009, 06:17 PM

When I first started my tank I thought that the fine sand had a better look to it, so I put it in my tank and it was doing fine. However, sand started blowing everywhere and my rocks looked like it had snowed in my tank. Also, fine grain sand compacts much easier than a large grain which can create some chemistry problems. I had low ph problems with a finer grain that I haven't had after I made the switched to a larger size agrogate. I would never try a fine grain again. Take this with a grain of salt. If you think its worth it then take the risk, this is just my experience with it.

yongpanda · 11/29/2009, 09:57 PM

so fine sand=ph problems as compared to bigger grains of sand is much better ph?
hmmm.

I think the first rockscape is good too but was wondering if i'll be limited in stocking my tank because i'm not giving enough shelter. :/

cloak · 11/30/2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yongpanda

so fine sand=ph problems as compared to bigger grains of sand is much better ph?
hmmm.

I think the first rockscape is good too but was wondering if i'll be limited in stocking my tank because i'm not giving enough shelter. :/

I don't think different grain sizes has anything to do with ph. A lot of people run BB tanks and don't seem to have any ph issues.

floridazooguy · 11/30/2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yongpanda

so fine sand=ph problems as compared to bigger grains of sand is much better ph?
hmmm.

I think the first rockscape is good too but was wondering if i'll be limited in stocking my tank because i'm not giving enough shelter. :/

Not enough shelter = not hard to get pest fish out

No it is up to you I like a cave in my tank.

yongpanda · 11/30/2009, 11:35 PM

maybe i will make the left island have a slight cave. will post picture later though.

chow · 11/30/2009, 11:42 PM

I like some caves as well. Try making caves that you can see through which is just as good. You planning on getting any coral?

jenjen · 11/30/2009, 11:51 PM

Is the rock sitting on the sand, or burried down so it's sitting on the bottom of the tank? If you're still working on the aquascape you may want to consider digging the rock down to the bottom of the tank.

If you're planning any burrowing fish, they will appreciate the fine grain sand. I have very fine sand in my 55gal and while they do manage to stir it up now & then, it stays put otherwise. I've added a few scoops of crushed coral just to add some texture to the sand. I haven't noticed any parameter issues due to the fine sand, though that tank has only been running for a few months.

baldwin8 · 11/30/2009, 11:59 PM

The aquascaping looks great. Doing my first FOWLR and using fine sand also having a problem with bits blowing around the tank, wish I would have got slightly larger grain type.

11/29/2009, 09:57 PM	#5
yongpanda Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States Posts: 504	so fine sand=ph problems as compared to bigger grains of sand is much better ph? hmmm. I think the first rockscape is good too but was wondering if i'll be limited in stocking my tank because i'm not giving enough shelter. :/ __________________ I'm not obssesed with aquariums, I just find them very interesting :D Current Tank Info: Elos Midi in the making

11/30/2009, 11:35 PM	#8
yongpanda Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States Posts: 504	maybe i will make the left island have a slight cave. will post picture later though. __________________ I'm not obssesed with aquariums, I just find them very interesting :D Current Tank Info: Elos Midi in the making

11/30/2009, 11:51 PM	#10
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	Is the rock sitting on the sand, or burried down so it's sitting on the bottom of the tank? If you're still working on the aquascape you may want to consider digging the rock down to the bottom of the tank. If you're planning any burrowing fish, they will appreciate the fine grain sand. I have very fine sand in my 55gal and while they do manage to stir it up now & then, it stays put otherwise. I've added a few scoops of crushed coral just to add some texture to the sand. I haven't noticed any parameter issues due to the fine sand, though that tank has only been running for a few months. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

11/29/2009, 04:32 PM	#1
yongpanda Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: United States Posts: 504	some questions regarding my tank I jsut got live sand. is it ever too fine? is it a bad thing if i have very fine sand? another issue was aquascaping. i wanted to give the fish a home at the same time make sure they're visible most of the time. I was starting to wonder how to aquascape my tank. here are some picures, can you tell me which one is better and any critiques would be great. recent aquascaping #1 fts rightside left side #2 fts __________________ I'm not obssesed with aquariums, I just find them very interesting :D Current Tank Info: Elos Midi in the making

11/29/2009, 04:39 PM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I prefer mixing the grains. When it's all the same, it's pretty much stuck. With mixed grains, weight will come into play, constantly shifting, a good thing IMO. I do like the aquascaping in the first picture. Looks cool.

11/29/2009, 06:10 PM	#3
Blownsvt Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 514	the only issue i know of with really fine sand grains is that when there is heavy flow over the sand you can have a tough time keeping it where you want it and not causing a sand storm.

11/29/2009, 06:17 PM	#4
aaronnohren Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 89	When I first started my tank I thought that the fine sand had a better look to it, so I put it in my tank and it was doing fine. However, sand started blowing everywhere and my rocks looked like it had snowed in my tank. Also, fine grain sand compacts much easier than a large grain which can create some chemistry problems. I had low ph problems with a finer grain that I haven't had after I made the switched to a larger size agrogate. I would never try a fine grain again. Take this with a grain of salt. If you think its worth it then take the risk, this is just my experience with it.

11/30/2009, 11:42 PM	#9
chow Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 61	I like some caves as well. Try making caves that you can see through which is just as good. You planning on getting any coral?

11/30/2009, 11:59 PM	#11
baldwin8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 15	The aquascaping looks great. Doing my first FOWLR and using fine sand also having a problem with bits blowing around the tank, wish I would have got slightly larger grain type.