Sand Info.

Question
QUESTION: I want to make a new aquarium of about 5 feet in length and 1 1/2 feet wide. I have no clue as to how much that would make up in gallons. You will gauge that. I want to create it using a sand base. A few natural plants will do, but i will use plastic ones too. Could you possibly suggest what type of sand should be used so it suits my specifications. By the way, i wish to add clown loaches and a few black ghost knife fishes.

Also, i live in India, West Bengal, Kolkata. So the sand should be readily available. Thank you.

ANSWER: Thank you for your question. I cannot tell you how many gallons your tank is because i need the height. Its very easy though, you take the length times the width times the height. Once you get that answer divide it by 231 and you will get your gallons.

As for the sand, any sand that has no salt is fine. Clown loaches cannot tolerate any amount of sand.

hope this helps

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Firstly, i want to thank you for your reply. I would like some more information.

You mentioned in your reply that, "Clown loaches cannot tolerate any amount of sand."   i hope you mean salt or other components disturbing the pH in the water. I have seen clowns in sand in certain videos available in Youtube.

And by the way, i intend to have the height of the aquarium as 1.5 feet. So by my reckoning, that would hold almost 200 liters of water. Moreover, i also wish to use a overhead pumping system (i'm sure you know about it) so i hope that is or will be compatible with sand?

Thank You again for your reply.

ANSWER: Yes i did mean salt. I am very sorry for the confusion. Salt can destroy a clown loach quickly. They do love sand because they can get food from it better during feeding time. And yes an over head pumping system is actually what i would recommend.You need to use it because of the way it cycles the water from the top instead of the cent which can move sand around and clog a filter.your tank size is perfect for everything you are describing. send me a pic when your done i would love to see it.  The sand i always use is creek sand because it is already washed and clean.. Thanks again

Feel free to ask as many questions as you would like..

         thank you
         Aaron Brandstatter

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: We have some white sand available here that is generally used for construction purposes. I plan to obtain that variety and then soak it in water to rid the salt (it is generally salt free, but i won't take chances).
But could you tell me how i can get aquatic plants to thrive there? I know shops where it is easy to obtain Amazon variety of plants, some other weed like plants etc. Is any sort of chemical needed for their growth? Or we just need to keep them until they are well settled before i add in the fish?

Thank You again for your tremendous help. I shall send you pictures as soon as the tank is set up. But that will take almost 3 months because i am having that particular room painted. But i will send you a snap asap. Thank you again.

Answer
Well, you want to make a complicated tank. lol
plants and sand are very hard to get to work together. i actually don't have a lot of knowledge in this field because i have never kept plants and sand together. But i do know there are a few variety's that can be put into sand. I think amazon sword's and a plant called a broad leaf plant, but I'm not sure if you can get that in India. as far as the chemicals, i have had a lot of luck with a.p.i. plant shine. It has everything plants need to be there best. And yes there are some plants that are going to be hard to keep with fish, because a lot of aquarium plants need lots of iron, and that's not something you want in your tank with your fish.. So to sum it up, find plants that will go well with the fish your going to have, can grow well in sand, and will be beautiful all around..

I don't know if i answered all of your questions,
but i hope i helped some..



         thanks again
         Aaron n Brandstatter