Help Moving EVERYTHING from one tank to another

[Kwyet]

wow never knew that about Mojave. That's a huge swing.

It started out much higher than that. As you said, it was quite pricy, so I’ve been determined to make it work for at least a year.

 

[nivliw]

Coal Slag Blasting Sand is super easy to find the US, not sure about italy!

I love the Caribsea inert sands, always on sale, heavier than most options and easy to plant in. My favorites are jungle river and sunset gold. I haven't tried WIO or other European brands. ADA Colorado and La Platta work but are a fortune.

I haven’t used BDBS, but I know many others like it. I’ve been warned that batches are inconsistent and may sometimes be harmful to shrimp. I’ve used pool filter sand and Caribsea sands, and like those. Small gravel/large sand is fine too. Just make sure it’s inert. I put Mojave Controsand in my 75g around February, and it’s still swinging 3 degrees gH/kH weekly.

wow never knew that about Mojave. That's a huge swing.

Sadly none of the ones that were suggested are findable in Italy, maybe you guys could suggest me something from here? https://www.aquariumline.com/it/134...qz9yM1xtMn_xflzhs9yrIoJONej4oq4IPRo_InZYYpQWF

 

[Kwyet]

That link says I’m blocked.
A quick google search said that pool filter sand is widely available in Italy though, if you want to try that.

These tanks were done with pool filter sand:

 

[nivliw]

That link says I’m blocked.

Oh my god, maybe try this one

Sabbie e Fondi

Sabbie e Fondi

www.acquariomania.net

 

[nivliw]

That link says I’m blocked.
A quick google search said that pool filter sand is widely available in Italy though, if you want to try that.

These tanks were done with pool filter sand:
View attachment 17389
View attachment 17390

In not sure if that sand would be nice for a Dutch style acquascape which is what I have. Also I’m wondering if i would use a mild aquasoil like the tropica since I have a matured filter would it not be able to deal with the ammonia from the soil? Would my fish die?

 

[Kwyet]

In not sure if that sand would be nice for a Dutch style acquascape which is what I have. Also I’m wondering if i would use a mild aquasoil like the tropica since I have a matured filter would it not be able to deal with the ammonia from the soil? Would my fish die?

I can’t say for sure. I’ve put Controsoil in the back of a mature tank with no problem, but I haven’t tried it with Tropica and it was only a small portion of the entire substrate. It would cycle faster than starting from scratch though. At worst, you would just have to keep your fish/shrimp in their holding tanks for a few more weeks while the filter in this one caught up.
Edit: It will pull the kH out of the water and lower the pH.

 

[nivliw]

I can’t say for sure. I’ve put Controsoil in the back of a mature tank with no problem, but I haven’t tried it with Tropica and it was only a small portion of the entire substrate. It would cycle faster than starting from scratch though. At worst, you would just have to keep your fish/shrimp in their holding tanks for a few more weeks while the filter in this one caught up.

I don’t have another filter sadly

 

[Kwyet]

Then you would have to be prepared to do lots of water changes if it turns out that you have ammonia/nitrite. I would not put the shrimp in at all until you know everything is stable.

 

[JayP]

From the website you shared, this product looks to be very similar in color and grain size to medium grit blasting sand.
Blu Bios Sabbia Nera fine 0.7-1.2mm 5kg

 

[nivliw]

From the website you shared, this product looks to be very similar in color and grain size to medium grit blasting sand.
Blu Bios Sabbia Nera fine 0.7-1.2mm 5kg

Thanks! Will this be fine for Dutch style? And carpeting plants?

 

[Kwyet]

That would look nice!
One last plug for cheap pool filter sand though, Michael Miller won 2nd place in the AGAIAC 2023 using it.

 

[JayP]

Thanks! Will this be fine for Dutch style? And carpeting plants?

Carpeting plants are a challenge in inert substrate, but there are those that do it with water column dosing only. In fact, I'm growing lush carpets of Cuba on rocks in my Brazilian tank. You just need to get a good handle on that dosing. Read up on @Naturescapes_Rocco's journals and other posts. @Burr740 and @GreggZ also have great knowledge.

 

[nivliw]

Carpeting plants are a challenge in inert substrate, but there are those that do it with water column dosing only. In fact, I'm growing lush carpets of Cuba on rocks in my Brazilian tank. You just need to get a good handle on that dosing. Read up on @Naturescapes_Rocco's journals and other posts. @Burr740 and @GreggZ also have great knowledge.

My Montecarlo grew thick with the jbl manado (which is somewhat inert I think?) however I think hc Cuba is harder to grow