11 replies to this topic

[Dawnkniest]

Hi Peoples,

 

I am hoping to source some river sand the change the substrate in my Malawi tank and also to put in my new 6ft tank which I plan to put in a oscar or two.

 

I am not sure the best (and cheapest) to get the sand.  I also dont know if there is anything I should be looking out for that may be a problem.  I live South of the River.  How is the best way to calculate the amount I would need also.

 

The dimensions of the main tank is below and I wanted it about 1 inch high I am thinking. 

38cm x 45cm x 183cm

 

TIA

 

Dawnkniest

[Kleinz]

Soils Aint Soils Canning Vale I think. $6 a bag. Prolly need 2 for a 6 footer. Needs a heap of washing.

[Anka]

^ +1

[Dawnkniest]

Soils Aint Soils Canning Vale I think. $6 a bag. Prolly need 2 for a 6 footer. Needs a heap of washing.

 

What is the most efficient way for washing do you think?

[Kleinz]

You can either:

 

• Rinse by hand in buckets; stirring a lot and changing water when needed.
• Stick it in a pillowcase and run a tap through it for an hour or so; wastes a lot of water but effective.
• Fill an old canister with filter wool and put in on the tank with the substrate ( assuming the tank has no fish yet ) and run it for a week then throw away the wool. efficient but slow.

[Robbotheyobbo]

I use a leaf strainer for a water tank to wash any sand/gravel it put in my tanks, so much easier

[Bombshocked]

"Rinse by hand in buckets; stirring a lot and changing water when needed" +1

[JackMack]

Sure would be handy to have a cement mixer hooked up to a garden hose, you could have it stir while the water carries the sediment out.

[silverscreen]

not sure about that one jackson...sand is very abrasive... will actually start to break down what ever was in there last and will contaminate the sand.

[JackMack]

I never specified new or used so I'll consider myself off the hook lol

[Auzziebuddy]

Hi,

I use 60ltr bucket/tub, paint mixer on a drill, put the tub on a brick so its on a reasonable angle for water to constantly flow out, then just mix with the drill and mixer till clean.

I find this way you can clean a larger amount in one hit too, plus you can lift the drill up and down to really stir it up.

A reversable drill is handy also to vary the direction and seems to displace the crap quicker than constantly in one direction.

Obdviously I use a new mixer, they are dirt cheap at bunnings etc.

Cheers

Matt

[Departure]

^ nice idea with the paint mixer. I do the large bucket thing tilted on brick so the water is flowing out and just turn the hose on and stir it around with the running hose until the water is clear, Its uses a bit of water. Repeat the process, normally only requires around 5-10 minutes per bucket