Can You Reccommend Me A Sand Substrate?

[schmee]

Hi

I want to switch my tank over to a black sand substrate but want to get the right one. i need something suitable for both African Dwarf Frogs and Pygmy Corys,(and Amano shrimp and a betta). Which is best??
Also, could i plant java ferns in it? Not a problem if not.
i need it not to alter the water parameters much if at all or cloud the water too much as it will be a quick change with my critters still in the tank.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Java ferns should never be planted in the substrate, they need to be attached to wood. You can tie them to it with cotton string or fishing line until the roots attach themselves.

 

[Mo1959]

Don't think they do play sand in black though. Two that I can think of are the black limpopo sand and black tahetian moon sand. Not sure if either would affect your water though. I think I read on another forum that someone thought the tahetian moon sand raised their ph a bit.

 

[ZoddyZod]

Don't think they do play sand in black though.

completely missed the 'black' part. Apologies to the OP for useless info!

 

[Essjay]

Black limpopo sand will increase your pH and hardness slightly. I got some and tested it with vinegar - it fizzed. So I set up two tubs of water, one with the sand and one without. After a week, both pH and hardness were higher in the tub with sand compared to the tub without. Not by much, but they were definitely higher.

 

[schmee]

How about if it's not black.

Is this sand suitable for both adfs (not big enough to harm them if they swallow it) and pygmy corys (not big or sharp enough to damage their barbels): http/www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=faH&rls=org.mozilla:en-GBfficial&q=pool+filter+sand&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8614564220917140194&ei=2R-GTIqzIIvNjAfx473mCA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ8wIwAA#
Arch Chemical Arch chemicals INC. 61308 Filter Sand. It says #20 grade: .45-.55mm.
Is it also going to change my water parameters or not?

What does everyone else use?

 

[Timmy_Bee]

Sorry to be off topic, but how do you sand substrate people clean your sand? If you use a gravel cleaner, doesn't it just suck it all up?

I want sand, but dont understand...

 

[waterdrop]

Sorry to be off topic, but how do you sand substrate people clean your sand? If you use a gravel cleaner, doesn't it just suck it all up?

I want sand, but dont understand...

Both types of substrate work. The maintenance method for each is a different skill. For sand substrates it often works to use a siphon hose -without- a gravel-cleaning cylinder. Instead you just clamp your thumb over the end and hold the it above the substrate several inches. Then you either unclamp and carefully lower, watching the suction until it pulls debris and not sand, or you use your smaller fingers of the same hand to stir the debris into the water a bit so that you can then suck it up without getting sand. It just takes some practice and of course sand is quite cheap even if a lot got sucked up.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Mo1959]

I find that pool filter sand seems to be slightly heavier than the play sand. I can go very close to the surface without it being sucked up.

 

[waterdrop]

Good point Mo, sand particle size varies a lot more than people expect!