Sponge + Sand = ?

[Hitch]

Hey

I am currently designing a tank made more specialised for the fast current loving fish.

So I am thinking of using the powerhead on one side connected to sponge filters on the other side for a river current affect.

I would like to have fine silica sand for the substrate, but would sand and sponge filter be a bad mix? Anyone have experience with a sponge filter in a tank with sand substrate?

Thanks
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[jackson]

Just make sure the sand is not of a really really fine grade. If not it will be tossed around and could even damage your power heads and filters. If you want to use sand I would section of the tank by using gravel or fine gravel where the flow is really heavy and then use the fine sand where there is less flow.

I hate sand bottoms and will never ever use it again for any fish other then my puffers. I have to use nylons to cover the intake on the filters so the sand does not damage them. Real PITA!!

[luckyfind]

If you just want the look off the sand just put down black silicone on base of tanki and put a layer of sand over top. Let cure and turn tank over and let the loose sand fall out.

[Bwhiskered]

I have a 65 gallon river tank with 2 powerheads at one end of the tank connected by pipe to 3 sponges at the other end. I have a coarse sand and no problems. Check out this web page it is where I got my idea from. http://www.loaches.com/articles/water-movement-in-the-loach-aquarium

[Hitch]

Thanks guys, I think I would need to do some test runs playing around with the distance the sponges are from the surface of the sand.

The tank will be housing my 2 L66 and L260, so I prefer using sand since they do like to dig around.

And ya, loaches.com is where I got inspiration too :D

[jackson]

Thanks guys, I think I would need to do some test runs playing around with the distance the sponges are from the surface of the sand.

The tank will be housing my 2 L66 and L260, so I prefer using sand since they do like to dig around.

And ya, loaches.com is where I got inspiration too :D

I use a small gravel that comes from asia. This stuff is so small fish can burry in it and dig around with no problems. I find it is like sand with no PITA. I think lucky's sells this stuff last time I talked to Jim he said they do. I bought mine from a supplier in asia. I was turned onto this stuff by a friend who is a loach freak like my self. Best stuff I have used yet as substrate.

[Hitch]

Cool, I'll look into it. Lucky is close to me which is a bonus also :D

Thanks Jackson