New 4Ft Tank & White Sand....any Good Shouts?

[mrvillicus]

Ive picked up a 4ft tank and im starting to plan the decor. Ive decided to go with white sand instead of black gravel and i believe for a 2" bed ill need 27kg, this would be expensive so id like to know....

1. could i put a thin layer of sand on top of gravel?
2. any good shouts for cheap sand?

thanks ben

 

[DJH584]

I have read on here that some people use Argos playsand as a substrate BUT, apparently, it needs to be VERY well washed before use.

HTH

David

 

[fluttermoth]

1. No, the sand will just fall down down through the gaps and end up underneath.

2. It's not completely white (but I don't think you want bright white anyway; it makes the fish go very pale and washes out their colours) but playsand is very good for tanks and is very cheap. I have the Argos one and it's very pale once you get it under tank lighting. It's about £4 for 15kgs.

 

[mrvillicus]

mmm just been looking at the price of white sand and it would cost me just over £30 to fill my 4ft tank with a 2" sand bed so cheap argos playsand would make a wise choice, shame its not white though

 

[fluttermoth]

As I said though, really bright white doesn't look that good in freshwater tanks and most fish don't like it either.

Here's what the Argos one looks like in one of my tanks (with one 36W T8);

(apologies for the plec poop )

 

[mrvillicus]

that looks really nice fluttermoth, its quite bright isnt it, mmm i think we have a winner! I did browse at black sand just and its just as expensive as white so you may have persuaded me

 

[fluttermoth]

Thank you It looks even paler now I have it under two T5s.

Yes, I was going to have black sand but the price put me right off! I did buy some for a little 55l I have, but it turned out to be grey, not black

 

[mrvillicus]

im amazed at how much it is, its only bloody sand!! well my next thoughts are going toward lighting, ive only got one light and I havent got a clue what it is