johnsmith Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 I was looking for pool filter sand once and I went to a place that sold pool tables, hot tubs, etc. and they didn't have it, they sent me to another place that dealt strictly with hot tubs & swimming pools. Keep looking, someone will have it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 I would suggest you keep looking for pool filter sand. The play sand you get at home depot is pretty fine and i dont' think would mix very well with cichlids as they are constantly digging. PLus the Play sand is a pain to clean. Took me forever to clean enough for my 15g. I couldn't imagine how long it would take to clean enough for a 70g. I"d say look in the phone book under hot tubs/swimming pools and call every place listed. Someone will eventually know what you are talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
African_Fever Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 or check under sand/gravel pits in the phone book. Should be a ton of places. Burnco should know where you could find bags of sand as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevchewy Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 not sure if you saw the buy,sell,trade or not but... if you are looking to buy some fish: http://s6.invisionfree.com/AlbertaAquatica...?showtopic=2938 good price!!! If that was posted 2 weeks earlier... i would have bought some. but i bought some at a LFS and paid $13 each. just a thought. nevchewy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishieRuffio Posted May 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Thanks for the replies all! :thumbs: One other question - how thorougly do you think I need to wash the sand? Not looking forward to rinsing 100lbs of pool filter sand Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahim101 Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Keep rinsing it till the water runs clear!!! Are you really going to put that much sand in you tank???? I use barely enough sand to cover the bottom of the tank, a thin layer so the glass does not show. This makes it a lot easier when it comes to water changes!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishieRuffio Posted May 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Well, I was thinking that I'd need to put eggshell crate on the bottom of the tank, to distribute the weight of the rocks more evenly. Then I'd need to cover that up, as well as giving the little guys some room to dig without hitting the crate (since that would, understandably, stress them out). Am I overestimating the amount I'll need? :boom: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rahim101 Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 Start with 50 lbs, which I think is still a lot and see how it works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevchewy Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 I would agree... 50lbs should be perfect! you can always add more if needed. I have 60 pounds of gravel in my 90 gallon tank and they have plenty of room to dig (its quite funny the caves they create under rocks!) Hope you'll post some pics to show your progress!!! nevchewy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted May 13, 2005 Report Share Posted May 13, 2005 The more you rinse the sand before you put it in the less it will cloud the tank. Some people suggest using a pillow case to rinse the sand out in but that way didn't work for me. I found it fastest to us a 5g bucket and fill it about 1/3 full with sand then fill, stir it around and pour off the dirty water. Keep doing that untill it runs clean, then do it a couple more times for good measure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishieRuffio Posted May 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Wow - I need to post a picture soon! All my little guys are in there - they're just under an inch each (little ones!) and I have: 9 perlmutts 8 aceis 8 red zebras 8 fire fins 2 syno petricolas Once they grow out, I know I'll have to move a bunch of them...so keep that in mind, people with extra future tank space. :hey: I've got 100lbs of pool filter sand and 160lbs of limestone providing the aquascaping, along with some thoroughly unchewable plastic plants (I've seen what they do to silk ones!) Running an AquaClear 300 (and a would-be Fluval 403, if it wasn't for it being busted - gonna get a canister in there soon!) and an Ebo 250W. It looks grrrrrrrrrrrreat!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nevchewy Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Cool! did you go to the auction? They had a bunch of petricola! going for half the price as you see them in LFS's. They had 3 bigger Acei that went for under 20 bucks... i think they were about 2.5 inches. can't wait to see pics! nevchewy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
African_Fever Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 I'd definitely look at getting more petricolas. They're a very social fish and do best in groups of at least 6 (I've got 11 togetherand am still looking for a couple more adults). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishieRuffio Posted May 16, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Darn - and they had some others at the auction, too...I'll have to check Big Al's to see if they've got any good-sized ones. BTW, the 403's working now! Thanks Rob and Darcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted May 16, 2005 Report Share Posted May 16, 2005 Seems like you are going to have a beautiful tank. Hope we get to see pics. I"d definately recommend more petricolas also. I have 7 and just love them. I was actaully tempted to pick up more at the auction but had to restrain myself THey are quite active when you have a group of them. Mine are always out and about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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