Habitat - Indoor :: Sand FAQ

[cloverRES]

I feel like my turtle would kick it up. is it messy? i like the look, but shes a spaz.

[steve]

Once you filter out the very fine particles, it should be OK.

[cloverRES]

ok, my filter is one of those bio bag tetra suction cup kinds, and it sits up on a river rock to support it. there is a heater in a PVC pipe w/ holes and her basking dock. pretty boring so i would like to jazz it up a bit. will the filter be ok, again, she is hyper turtle! how do i get it out if i don't like it?

[steve]

How big is your tank/turtle?

[turtleluv88]

Will sand work with a submersible filter that is laid on its side?

[steve]

Not really.

[sweetest_sin]

hi , im new to the site and have been very much enjoying reading up on everything. I have not got my 2 RES girls yet, since there owner is in no rush to give them i have decided to take my time and read up on as much as i can and all of you guys have made that very easy. Reading as this about sand has really convinced me its the way to go. now i want to do black and pink sand, typically, do you guys just mix it all together in the tank (after washing of course) or have any of you has luck with drying the sand after (like i said i got lots of time) and sorta "marble" it through? sorta figured the turtles might just mix it all up....im having trouble finding black sand but i did find this http://www.bigalspets.com/Carib-Sea-Ins ... =salesrank

i know its higher on price but is it safe to use? ill need enough i got a 130 gallon tank for the girls
thanks a bunch

[steve]

Hi, welcome to the site. If you are looking to adopt, please check out http://www.littleresq.net/

The product in the link doesn't sound like a good idea since it might be preloaded with chemicals.

[VeipaCray]

The caribsea "live sand" stuff is generally thought to be somewhat gimmicky. The premise is the sand is packed with some water that contains nitrifying bacteria and other organics that give you an instant biofilter.

1. It's expensive. The water is heavy and the bags contain a mix of water/liquid and sand.
2. You don't know how long that bag has been sitting on a shelf or in a warehouse. You don't know how it was transported, and you don't know what temperatures it has been exposed to. Is that bacteria still alive? who knows.

[Fernando77]

I have a problem. I'm using slate tile as Substrate. Today during the exchange of water raised some tiles and found a lot of dirt. I can not just use the tiles. I'm thinking of using sand beneath the tiles. So do not enter more dirt underneath the tiles. What do you think?

My aquarium with the tiles as a substrate that is: http://www.redearslider.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=31916

[steve]

Tile isn't really a substrate. You'll still get a nasty build up under the slate since water will not be circulating under there.

[Fernando77]

yes .... but with the sand beneath the slate tiles of this dirt would be sucked through the filter? .. and even the dirt will not be sucked easily removed with a siphon?

The problem of dirt under the tiles of slate is because of the curved corners of the aquarium glue. My idea is: add a layer of sand at the bottom of the aquarium 1cm or 1.5cm. Sand is compacted when wet. after being compacted sand at the bottom to put it on the slate tiles in the same way they are today, but making a slight pressure to the sand fill in any space between them. So I keep a rigid surface and easy cleaning without the problem of accumulated dirt underneath the slate tiles.

I think now best expressed my idea. what do you think?

[VeipaCray]

I'd just go with straight sand and no slate like most everyone else. It works well and is super easy to clean.

[Fernando77]

What type of sand? searching in aquarium stores I found several types. I think that the thinner the better, is that right?
I saw an aquarium with a black sand, I found this beautiful sand however it was not too thin. Can I use this type of sand?
What about the risk of eating turtle on the sand? my turtle is very curious and I've seen it several times biting some river stones that leave the bottom of ornament, these stones are is 3cm or more, she loves playing with them.

[VeipaCray]

Pool filter sand or play sand from the hardware store. It's talked about earlier in this thread.

You do not want aragonite sand (calcium carbonate). This sand will slowly dissolve and buffer calcium into the water raising the PH. This sand is useful in saltwater reef setups.

You want regular silica based sand. If the sand is too fine (sugar fine), when the turtle walks on the sand youll have a dust storm. General purpose play sand or pool filter sand is the best. Play sand needs to be rinsed and sifted for pebbles. Pool filter sand is ready to use as is.