Habitat - Indoor :: Sand FAQ

[cutepanda86]

I have an MVB. Straight and up about 12" from the basking platform and you'll be fine.

[apondfortimmy]

Learned the lesson about not washing the sand enough.

After two days, I had to just drain the tank and start over because the silt was just too much. It would settle, and then ... when I did ANYTHING to the tank (I swear, I stood next to the thing and the silt poofed), it got cloudy.

The problem was that today, as I was cleaning it out, during the drying stage I ... I cracked the corner. I was so mad. The BOTTOM corner. So now I have a terrarium.

[Rafa2k]

And it's very close to the basking area for an mvb. Don't they recommend much more distance for mvb's?

I may be wrong, but isn't the distance of the lamp determined by the wattage of the bulb? Higher wattage is placed further away because it produces more heat. Or is that only on heat lamps?

[slider_keeper]

MVB produce UV rays and heat so it needs to be raised or lowered to correct for the right temp on the basking zone. This is where a IR heat gun comes in great use, but you would also benefit from a UV Meter to see if you are getting the right UV readings and the right temps, if your not then you need a different watt bulb.

[Ensley03]

Hi so I'm new here and fairly new to the turtle world. I have a 40 gallon breeder tank with a RES and am interested in putting sand in it. My turtle is 7" which some people say is too big. My filter is an Eheim 2213 and I use 2 air stones and the tank really stays clear - all I've done is add more water every few days as it evaporates, and I also rinse out the carbon and floss in the filter like once a week. When I got him a few months ago, he was in a 20 gallon tank with a crappy in-tank filter and no UVB light or heater, so his quality of life has already improved immensely.

Anyways, after reading some of the posts here, I get the gist that I will need to rinse the sand very well, but that's about all I know. Is there any actual benefit to sand? Does it help grow good bacteria? Do turtles actually enjoy it at all? What sand should I use? What about those under-gravel filter things, does that help sand or is that meant more for...gravel? I need help

[ljapa]

I'm much less experienced than others here, but a few comments:

For sand, most recommend pool filter sand. There is less dust than others, and the grain size is more consistent. I switched from river rock to sand and could not be more happy.

Sand allows for additional surface area for nitrifying bacteria, and so makes it easier for your aquarium to deal with waste.

Rinsing it is as simple as taking a big bucket, putting some in the bottom, running a hose in it, and just stirring occasionally until all the dust has rinsed over the side. It will take much longer than you think. I'm using pool filter sand and am very pleased.

On your water, you do need to siphon some off and change it. As the water evaporates, some of the dangerous substances do not evaporate. They simply get more concentrated. You need to actually drain off some water and replace it to lower those levels.

Filter can be rinsed, but with the level of turtle waste you'll eventually get, the recommendation is not tot even bother with filter floss and to go with more biomedia.

Finally, carbon CANNOT be rinsed. Activated carbon adsorbs certain molecules in the water. Once it is full, not only can it not bind more, but it can even start releasing the stuff it has adsorbed back into the water. The adsorbed substances cannot be rinsed out. What I've done on the recommendation of VeipaCray here is to buy bulk carbon and a filter media bag to put it in. It's much cheaper.

[apondfortimmy]

I'm much less experienced than others here, but a few comments:

For sand, most recommend pool filter sand. There is less dust than others, and the grain size is more consistent. I switched from river rock to sand and could not be more happy.

Sand allows for additional surface area for nitrifying bacteria, and so makes it easier for your aquarium to deal with waste.

Rinsing it is as simple as taking a big bucket, putting some in the bottom, running a hose in it, and just stirring occasionally until all the dust has rinsed over the side. It will take much longer than you think. I'm using pool filter sand and am very pleased.

On your water, you do need to siphon some off and change it. As the water evaporates, some of the dangerous substances do not evaporate. They simply get more concentrated. You need to actually drain off some water and replace it to lower those levels.

Filter can be rinsed, but with the level of turtle waste you'll eventually get, the recommendation is not tot even bother with filter floss and to go with more biomedia.

Finally, carbon CANNOT be rinsed. Activated carbon adsorbs certain molecules in the water. Once it is full, not only can it not bind more, but it can even start releasing the stuff it has adsorbed back into the water. The adsorbed substances cannot be rinsed out. What I've done on the recommendation of VeipaCray here is to buy bulk carbon and a filter media bag to put it in. It's much cheaper.

This was a really good summary of just what I needed to read today, all in one place. Thank you.

[Ensley03]

How much sand would I need to buy? My tank is 36x18 and that calculator I found said I would need like 74 pounds for 2 inches of sand - that can't possibly be right. Is there a brand or type of pool filter sand that is best? If you could link me to anything on amazon or something, that would be great.

Also, pool filter sand looks really cheap - is that really the best? I'm willing to pay for whatever is best and won't fail.

Lastly, what about undergravel filters or anything? Is that only for rocks larger than sand?

[PridgNYC]

Yes, pool filter sand is really the best. It is not as cheap as play sand, but pool filter sand has to pass certain specifications in order to be classified as pool filter sand, which makes it ideal for a freshwater aquarium environment. Grain size is one fo te specifications because having a lot of fine particles will clog up the pool filter. Square grains are another specification because they provide the most surface area for bacterial growth. Square grains also resist packing into a dense layer where anaerobic bacteria can build up hydrogen sulfide.

I don't think there is a 'type' of pool filter sand, or a recommended brand. It is just sand that fits a certain specification. Many have found that Handy Sand which is used for concrete mixes also works well. Ideally, you want a pre-washed sand of a consistent grain size. Most purpose sifted sands conform to these standards, like pool filter sand, handy sand, etc. Play sand is waste sand that you will spend your own time sifting/washing.

[ljapa]

Also, pool filter sand looks really cheap - is that really the best? I'm willing to pay for whatever is best and won't fail.

Lastly, what about undergravel filters or anything? Is that only for rocks larger than sand?

I don't think you'll find any good deals online. Pool filter sand is cheap, but comes in 50 pound bags. When I was originally looking at online purchase, I found some for $7 a bag with $49/bag shipping.

I have the pool filter sand in my 55 gallon (48" x 13"). I think the online calculator said something like 79 for what I had put in it. That was right.

I also have the expensive $20 for a 20 pound bag of aquarium sand in the 20 gallon tank we turned into a fish aquarium after moving the turtle. My son wanted black and white sand, instead of the natural look of the pool filter sand we had found. The grain size is much smaller/lighter. The outflow from the filter will shift grains around. The way Toby digs, I'm glad I didn't use that in the turtle tank.

In researching when my son first got Toby, I remember reading a recommendation against under-gravel filters with Turtles, but I do not remember the reason. Don't take my novice vague memory on that as gospel, but you may want to do some more research on that.

[penelope]

Forgive me if this was asked before.
I put sand in 5 days ago. The tank is clear, but the 'turtle film' (as I call it) is now green. I dabbed it with a paper towel; no noticeable green. So what's up with the green colored film? I am more than familiar with the tank. This definately showed up post-sand.

[BOBOTHETURT]

Will the sand clog internal filter and if the turtle starts digging will it become a rite mess ? My turts very destructive

[PridgNYC]

Forgive me if this was asked before.
I put sand in 5 days ago. The tank is clear, but the 'turtle film' (as I call it) is now green. I dabbed it with a paper towel; no noticeable green. So what's up with the green colored film? I am more than familiar with the tank. This definately showed up post-sand.

What kind of sand? What is 'turtle film'? Is it that film that collects on the top of the water? Those are protein deposits, and they can appear to be any color, although usually white or irridescent. You can eliminate their formation by making sure you have some surface agitation. Most people use a combination of airstones and directing the filter output so it breaks the surface of the water.

[penelope]

I bought Quikrete play sand. Washed the heck out of it, and the water is beautifully clear.
Yes. The "turtle film' is the protein deposits. I am used to that, and shake things up (AKA water flow) as you mentioned.
I had just never seen it iridescent green before. I find it interesting that it can be iridescent at all. I learn something new every day.
With this new insight, it sounds like it is within the norm - maybe not my norm, but a norm in general(??). I guess for now I will just make the assumption that the sand is simply the conduit for an optical illusion (for lack of a better word). I am so used to a bare bottom tank that I have never seen it looking anything but milky white.
I guess as long as the water isn't funky and green it will be OK.
It just tripped me out...thanks for setting my mind at ease

[Rachel__23]

@cutepanda86 - yes I burried the decorations in the sand a bit. He knocks them over within a couple days, and likes to re-arrange a lot. He is quite the digger as well so I can't bank on things staying where I put them. The only thing he seems to leave in place are the flower pots.