Aqua terra sand

cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Anyone ever use this stuff? Got a few bags of what appeared to be some great black sand.......having some major major issues with it right now. More is floating and clumping into small globs than is sinking.

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cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Luckily its still in a bucket and I've tried everything. The stuff is so weird only thing I can imagine is
1) there is some type of ionic or static charge that's causing it to clump together and or float
2) the stuff is so fine it can't break the surface tension to sink and once it does any trapped air engulfs it and brings it to the surface
There is much more to the physics of what's actually happening I'm sure but my hope is that as the water stands gasses are released any charges dissipate and it becomes better than the bucket of mud I have now.

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cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Thats funny I first used cold and it was horrible then figured for no special reason to try hot and it improved I think that the air trapped in the sand is slowly rising and bringing sand up with it. There are small balls clumped together floating right above the sand not sure why they don't rise or sink they just hover

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Localzoo

Localzoo

Board of Directors
I guess the hot water is causing the particles to move faster, then escaping bubbles meet up with falling sand particles attaching to them I guess a soak in hot water over night will help or toss a heater in the bucket? Ps I sent you a pm yesterday


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Becca

Becca

Members
This happened to me with the Petco brand sand once. Best thing to do is to add water slowly, stir with your hand, and do a calm agitation of the surface. It does eventually all sink, but if you do anything that would introduce air, you'll keep making it float.
 
captmicha

captmicha

Members
I've had it in a tank for over a month now. It's still floating at random. I originally rinsed it with hot water but couldn't much rinsing with all the floating away it was doing.


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cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
I am wondering if I mix it with some less fine play sand if it might separate it enough to stop the clumping. Why would they sell crap like that, what a rip.

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Becca

Becca

Members
cichlidaddicted said:
I am wondering if I mix it with some less fine play sand if it might separate it enough to stop the clumping. Why would they sell crap like that, what a rip.

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Click to expand...

Because they can.

I used mine in bowls for plants and bettas, so no filtration=no continued floating, but I'd imagine it would be a mess with a filtered tank.

If you want colored sand, stick to SuperNaturals.
 
Localzoo

Localzoo

Board of Directors
I looked up reviews and its mixed buys one sugg was to rub the sand in your hand and it breaks it up but you also end up with fine bits bc it app breaks/ grinds up easy...


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chriscoli

chriscoli

Administrator
I had the same thing happen, too, with the Petco brand. But once mine settled down it stayed down. Took a few weeks though.


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cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
Argh, weeks! Not what I wanted to hear. That's what I get for buck a bag clearance.

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cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
I seem to have gotten things under control. I added some regular sand to it about a 1 to 1 ratio and it helped hold it all down and prevents it from clumping. Not the deep black look I was going for but it still looks nice and the tank is clear after only about an hour. Thanks for the replies glad I didn't just try to wait ot out. Hopefully this info can helps someone else.

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cichlidaddicted

cichlidaddicted

Members
I've never seen it, since its not visible I don't think color is a priority. Probably a special order item for people with black pool liners. If its a cheap as regular pfs I wouldn't mind waiting for an order.

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