River Sand

[M4R13Y]

Ignoring the legality (its most likely illegal) would sand and gravel from my local river be ok for my new 15 gallon fish tank??

If yes how much would I need???

If no why not???

Thanks M4R13Y

 

[DrRob]

Generally there are licences required to collect materials from the wild. Does depend where you are though.
 
As for is it any good, depends what the water source is and what you want to achieve. It'll likely be high in organics etc (rivers are rarely good visibility that we like in out tanks) so a great planted media but may not be good for water quality.
 
The most important issue is disease. Importing anything from an area that contains wild fish risks importing illnesses, which is the main reason I wouldn't consider it.

 

[M4R13Y]

Thanks could you use a builders sand in a fish tank ???

 

[DrRob]

I wouldn't recommend most builders sand unless you're not worried about very hard water. They tend not to bother removing the lime from it, although it may be fine......Play sand and pool filter sand are ok. Heard good things and bad things about blasting sand.

 

[M4R13Y]

What about beach sand/stones ( it's probably illegal )

 

[fluttermoth]

Beach stones would be ok (if it wasn't illegal in most places); the sand no; too much salt and other pollutants.
 
Honestly, if you're trying to save money, just get playsand; it's dead cheap.

 

[mishmash]

Firstly, Im not sure we can ignore the legality of collecting from the wild.  If you were caught I am sure there would be fines involved.  The other thing is many riverways are adjacent to farmland and you can never be sure what kind of contaminants have been soaking into the sand near you.  Personally I dont think its worth the risk.  Even if its crystal clear where you are, there is always the possibility of something upstream.  Playsand is so cheap.  And a small bag or two of graded gravels will make it look more natural if you wanted that look

 

[M4R13Y]

Would you have to specially prepare play sand or graded gravel

 

[fluttermoth]

It just needs washing; put some in a bucket, fill the bucket with water while you stir the sand around, then pour off the water and all 'floaty' stuff. Do that until the water you're pouring out is clear.
 
It is a hassle to do, but well worth it

 

[garyspence84]

I recently done used play sand in my aquarium. Got 2 bags from argos at 3quid a bag and it more than fills my 4foot tank and it looks great.

Was a bit of a pain to clean right enough, but glad I did it.

 

[M4R13Y]

I was thinking of getting some kuhli loaches or a freshwater blue crayfish (in my new 15-16 gallon tank) which would be best sand or gravel