New To Sand

[CatLover]

I bought some marine sand to put in a betta tank. The bag said that it was safe for both marine and freshwater tanks, so I though I would give it a try. I cleaned it really well, and placed it in the tank before putting water in. As I filled it with water, half the sand foamed on top like it was baking soda or something. The sand still on the bottom (and the stuff on the water's surface) is in clumps, basically floating around the tank. There is also sand stuck all over the insides of the tank.

Was it wise to use this kind of sand? How in the world do I put water in the tank without making the sand go all crazy and baking soda-like?

Haha, well I just did something that I rarely do - I didn't read the back of the bag! It says that the sand must be pre-soaked to avoid the problems I'm having.

Still a question though. Once it's thoroughly soaked, should I add it to the tank before or after I add water? Or would it matter?

 

[LucyHurst]

lol, eerm id put the sand in first, it doesnt really matter, but just to stop those floaty bits you get and you have to go about poking it all in! good luck

 

[Dorkhedeos]

it doesnt matter if you add it before or after, as long as you rinse it first. just dont add it after you add the fish. you shouldve just gone to home depot and bought a bag of mesh sand or playsand. its alot cheaper and you get alot more, you just have to rinse it more

 

[love_fish]

I bought the same exact sand as you did, and had the same problem. Don't turn your filter on. What you should do is use a net to break up the bubbles with sand connected, and stir up the top with the net. Once the fine sand on the top goes under water, it will drop to the bottom. If you can't get it all, get it out with the net. Anymore questions, you can feel free to pm me.

 

[CatLover]

Thanks to all of you!
Actually, I have given up on using this particular sand. I let it soak for 5 hours in water, and it still wasn't sinking. I spent a good hour poking and breaking up what was on the top, then tried putting it in the tank. It was ok, but I still wasn't happy with it. I decided I don't like the look of it in the aquarium (too white and fine) plus my bad experience with it didn't help my liking it. So I ended up puting gravel in that tank, and I'm going to buy play sand next and work with it. I have a feeling I'm going to like it a lot more.

I might use my left over marine sand to make a zen garden

 

[littleimp]

What is this stuff??

Sand sinks straight away in water, it's made of glass or rock n stuff!!

Is this stuff synthetic??

 

[CatLover]

Not all sand is like play sand which is the kind you're thinking of - bits of rock and glass. Plus there are several different granular sizes of sand. Play sand has big grains, which is why it's heavy. This sand (marine sand) is super fine, which is why it has to be soaked so it won't float.