any good substrates out there

[wrs]

So, I hjave recently decided to do a large drift wood display in my tank. I found this huge peice on slate that was one sale for $20 from $50, so I got it. Well there were some issues with the it, and I just plopped it in the middle of the tank. Now that I know where I want it, on the right hand side, I go to move it and its like a sand storm hit. the crap sand makes the water all cloudy, though it has been in for 6 months.

The sand SUCKS! My brother once had good sand, but that is not made anymore. I know that gravel is avaliable, but that is way to much money, and doesnt look natural at all.

I need a new substrate despritly, as everytime I even do a water change, it gets cloudy, and takes at least 4 days to un cloud.

 

[freddyk]

I use bagged beach sand from Home Depot - prewashed and meant for sandboxes. Just a couple quick rinses and this stuff never caused the slightest cloudiness - I highly recommend it if you can find it.

Pool filter sand is also practically cloud free.

 

[Teelie]

I've got pool filter sand in 3 of my 4 tanks and I did a big redecoration in a 10 gallon with only some detritus floating up and not even enough to cloud the tank very much. Normal water changes and stuff don't even get more than a mild sand stir let alone it flying up in the water.

IMO, nothing beats pool filter sand for aquariums.

 

[wrs]

how much does that usually cost?

 

[Teelie]

A 50 pound bag cost me $10 so not very much.

 

[Nospherith]

Tahitian moon sand and onyx sand are two dark substrates. Darker substrates tend to accentuate the color of the fish and tank decor. Not sure about the price but they shouldn't be too expensive.

 

[isu_guy]

If you think Tahitan moon sand (TMS) is a good route, you should investigate 3M colorquartz. Its cheaper than TMS, but the downside is it can be hard to find. Its intended uses are to add color and texture to pool and countertops, but works great and looks a lot like sand (but is heavier so it settles out much faster). It still needs a little rinsing, but not that much.

My 50 lb bags cost $22 each (I couldn't find TMS for much less than $20 for a 20lbs bag). I got mine from a place called sterling supply in minneapolis, but there are other distrubutors around.

It also comes in almost any color you want, although I would assume most fishkeepers would pick something fairly natural looking.

 

[Teelie]

Tahitian moon sand and onyx sand are two dark substrates. Darker substrates tend to accentuate the color of the fish and tank decor. Not sure about the price but they shouldn't be too expensive.

I have TMS in a 10 gallon and it does rise up easier than pool filter sand but it doesn't stay cloudly from what I've seen. I haven't done any water change yet on that tank though so I don't know how bad it will be.

 

[wrs]

I definetly need something soft, as my Dojo loves to burrow

 

[Teelie]

My cories dig in pool filter all the time with no problems on their barabels. Still nice and long.

 

[Malawiandude]

TMS runs $12/20lbs here, another alternative if you want white sand is to go to Home Depot, and look for white tropical sand, it will have a picture of a boy in blue overalls on it, rinse it really good and put it in, it will indeed look great after it's seeded. I've only used the white & brown playsand, and TMS which is not being manufactured any longer, what's left in stores is it.

 

[Teelie]

Why isn't it being manufactured any longer?

 

[Synirr]

I have trumpet snails as substrate in my 10 gallon. Looks very natural and doesn't cloud the water if stirred.

 

[wrs]

lol, thats funny. But I dont want any snails at all, I dislike them.

Isnt that tropical play sand arragonite, or whatever that is, that people use in Tangunyikan tanks?

 

[rdd1952]

If you plan to have a planted tank, the Eco Complete Planted works great but it is expensive. I have that on the bottom of my 75 gallon with about 1" of Tahitian Moon Sand on top. YOur loaches would like the TMS. My corys like it and it does wash up really well. I washed my 2 bags in about 15 minutes.