Argos Play Sand

[m00ms]

hi all,
 
i am in process of setting up my new tank and cant decide on sand or fine gravel
 
i have used heavy gravel in past and my current tank has very fine gravel almost like sand.
 
have read people using argos play sand as its cheap but i keep reading mixed views as to if its good or bad,what is difference between play sand and sand from fish shop?
 
thanks 

 

[fluttermoth]

Play sand tends to be a finer grain, IME.
 
And it takes more washing!
 
I use play sand in most of my tanks, and I've never had any problems with it.

 

[mike455555]

iv used play sand in all my tanks, id recommend it 100% never had problems with it as well, just wash it as so
 
2 buckets, and a hose
 
half fill both buckets
put water in one and stir it up move hose into second bucket
by the time the second buckets full empty the first of the water
move the hose back into the first 
empty the second when the first ones full again
repeat until the sand settles in 10 secs with hardly any grains floating around 

 

[m00ms]

thanks for your advice,looks like i am off to argos on way home from work tomorrow!!

 

[daizeUK]

I've tried play sand (Tesco brand) and aquarium sand (from Pets at Home).  I much prefer the aquarium sand, it looks and feels more natural IMO.  It's much more expensive of course but worth the extra money IMO.
 
Incidentally, I had to wash my P@H aquarium sand FAR more than my play sand
 
Not used fine gravel before but I think that would be good too, why do you want to switch?

 

[PlumbersMerchant]

Argos play sand all the way. Just a warning with sand, it does show up debris and fish crap a hell of a lot more than gravel. I syphon my tank when i do water changes and clean the sand. Within 1 hour its like i havnt done it ! ha ha
 
Dont forget to post some pictures dude

 

[Dazzer87]

personally argos sand is too fine, compacts a lot which can turn anaerobic and doesnt look that great, its also a pain to wash. I did a 50/50 with p&H aquarium gravel and the grey gravel mixed it up together and it looks really nice. more expensive but it gives the sand more colours and looks like proper beach sand.

 

[m00ms]

thanks for you comments all,just got some argos sand today so lets have a go!!
 
daizeuk i am changing my tank because little while ago i had an ammonia spike a lost lots of my fish,gutted i was so i thought i have either got to give in with fish keeping or go for a change.
 
turned out i am not ready to quit yet so bigger tank its going to be,dont want to disturb my current tank by removing fine gravel  and as i need for new tank thought i would try sand for a change.
 
i have seen a pleco i like in bagshot fish shop so hope i can get new tank set up before they sell out!!
 
i will post pictures up when tank is done as i mount tank in wooden frame so you cant see edges.
 
http/i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l624/m00ms/photo1-2.jpg

 

[Royston]

I use Argos play sand and never had any problems....

 

[Aquamaniac]

Never used aquarium sand.
Argos play sand all the way. Have two tanks with it and no problems at all.
Used silica sand before but the play sand looks much better. The silica is just so white that does not look natural.

 

[m00ms]

got the play sand and washed a small amount in a pint glass to see if i like it and i do.
 
weekend plan is to get my current tank moved so i can get new tank into its place and start cycling happening.
 
thanks for help and advice all as sure i would of passed on using sand without it.

 

[m00ms]

cleaned my play sand in small amounts until water run clear when poured out then added to empty tank.
 
have now added about 50 lt of water but water looks slightly cloudy.is that normal with sand and it just needs to settle or have i not cleaned sand enough?
 
i have no filters or heater running yet.
 
also does anyone know if i can run rena smart heaters fully submersed so that dial is under water fully?
 
thanks

 

[DreamertK]

I have aquarium sand and play sand. I actually am not sure which I like better aesthetically, though the play sand did come with some lumps of (???) something in it and actually is a finer grain than the aquarium sand. The play sand is a sort of tan color which I didn't like at first but gives a contrast to my other tank's black sand. I ended up cleaning a lot more of the aquarium sand than the play sand, though I fudged up the aquarium sand because it was my first time and didn't get all the dust in it. And trust me, if you dont clean it good enough the first time, it'll come back with a vengeance to haunt you.
 
Aquarium sand:
+feeds my plants
+probably a variety of colors
+specifically for aquariums (no extra stuff in it)
 
Play sand:
+cost
+cost
+a ton of sand
 
 
The cloud will settle after a day or so, but less if you cleaned it very well. Since you dont have anything in there, you can give a go at cleaning it again.

 

[m00ms]

i am going to give it a another rinse through as like you say i dont anything in there yet and i dont want to regret not doing right at this early stage.
 
just eager to get water in and filters,heaters running etc!! paintence needed!!

 

[DreamertK]

You have a month more of cycling too, right?