Sand A Good Idea?

[mike455555]

umm... i dont know... im getting a co2 system for xmas... so ;p

i think it depends on the plants mainly. stuff like crypts probably could survive without co2

ask on another thread in the planted section >.>? or someone else might be able to help ;p

i think you could get away without co2... but it would benefit the plants if you did have it

sorry

 

[Zikofski]

umm... i dont know... im getting a co2 system for xmas... so ;p

i think it depends on the plants mainly. stuff like crypts probably could survive without co2

ask on another thread in the planted section >.>? or someone else might be able to help ;p

i think you could get away without co2... but it would benefit the plants if you did have it

sorry

no worries i shall look into it and ask on the other tread thank's for all the help no the less defiantly gone go with play sand i think just make sure i clean it out fully

 

[fishguy2727]

The sand I suggested requires no cleaning and is about the cost of gravel, very affordable (especially for something you will only have to buy once).

 

[Aqua Tom]

The sand I suggested requires no cleaning and is about the cost of gravel, very affordable (especially for something you will only have to buy once).

How much is it?

 

[fishguy2727]

Here it is $4-5 for a five pound bag.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Well, that's nice. The play sand I got was less than $4 for 50 pounds. Sure I had to take some time to clean it, but one bag did my whole substrate. So it cost me 1/10th of the cost of the "fancy" sand.

 

[fishguy2727]

Nothing fancy, just a great option that is actually made for aquariums, and has color options, no cleaning, perfect grain size. Sorry if $1/lb is too rich for some people. If so maybe this hobby isn't the right choice for them.

I just think it is important that people know there are options out there besides play sand.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I agree that there are options. But, more expensive doesn't always mean better. Color options are nice, but I actually prefer light tan sand. Call me crazy, but it reminds me of the beach. I think this hobby (and all hobbies for that matter) has certain aspects that money needs to be spent on (filters, food, etc.), and other things that money can be spent on (background, decor, substrate, etc.). Substrates all around the world where these fish come from are very different and unless you are putting together a complete and truly authentic biotype tank for your fish, chances are that the elements you add are all "foreign" to those fish. (Of course, most of the fish readily available for the common hobbyist are tank bred anyway, so maybe the actual biotype tank would be the real abnormality for those fish.)


Out of curiosity, what exactly makes that particular sand the "perfect grain size"?

 

[fishguy2727]

I never said this was a true biotope substrate, so thanks for the rant.

I consider it the perfect size because it is small enough to be sand but just large enough to allow enough space between grains that the whole sand bed can get oxygen. This also makes it heavy enough that if fish disturb it the sand sinks very quickly.

IMO considering the cost is so low, you only have to buy it once, and it makes such a difference that it is more than worth. If you happen to like light tan that is one thing, but I prefer darker colors because it keeps their colors vibrant. There was a study that found that fish on a dark background and substrate not only looked better, but physiologically produced more pigment.

Not a single customer or client I have sold it to has had a single negative thing to say about it, in fact many love it so much they convert all their tanks over to it.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I was pointing out that virtually no matter what substrate you use (including this amazingly awesome sand that you are recommending) the fish are going to have to adapt to it, because it is not their natural environment. That was my point... meaning that one substrate being superior to another or in some way "perfect" is really a silly argument. I will give the nod to the darker substrate giving the fish the appearance of brighter colors, although I believe that has more to do with contrast than it does anything else. I do also believe that the oxygenation in the sand thing is far overblown. The potential for buildup of gas (and the release of the gas, and the harm to fish) is at such a level that it isn't even worth mentioning.


Was that a rant as well?
And as for the comment about not being willing to spend extra money on an unnecessary material for the tank... I think you should look at the state of the economy right now before throwing stones like that. You realize that there are a bunch of people out of work, or struggling with rising costs all over the place, right? And if you can save $40 (even on a one time purchase) and get the same effect for your tank, then I say it is a good and responsible purchase. I will also say that the large rocks I have in my tank came directly from nature, not the LFS and I feel like that was an extremely prudent move in this or any economy. My money can be better spent elsewhere, including but not limited to a new coat for my son, new shoes, new school bag, new uniform for school, gas for my car to take me to work, or any number of other things.


I'm very glad that no one has come back to complain about your recommendation. But to be honest, I haven't heard that many complaints about anyone who uses play sand either. The only complaints I've heard is that the poo is more visible than when they had gravel. It is easily remedied, also. Ultimately, it is up to each aquarist to decide what is best for their tank, and I don't appreciate the "cheap shot" (pun intended) at folks who are unwilling to overspend for substrate. I appreciate that you are offering another solution to the sand question, but to insinuate that someone who uses play sand over another more expensive sand product is just ridiculous.

 

[fishguy2727]

Did you read the part about how there was a study done that showed that it is not just that they look better because of the contrast, but they actually produce more color, making them physiologically more colorful?

There are lots of complaints about sand in the hobby. Almost every time a thread like this comes up there are certain issues brought up. Those who haven't experienced them say they are bunk, those who have know they are real risks. IME those issues have everything to do with the type of sand used.

I don't know why you are making an issue of this. This is a forum, for sharing information. You haven't even used this sand so you have absolutely no experience with it, yet you argue against it.

To anyone else:
Just know that there are options. From what I have heard from people who have used cheapo sands, pool filter sand is the best because it is more uniform in size than play sand. But the sand I use and recommend actually has color options. If you like light tank, great, buy some pool filter sand and good luck. If you can afford to buy sand that runs about $1/lb and you need about 1lb/gallon then the sand I recommended is the best option IME (and also comes in light tan).

 

[Aqua Tom]

I like playsand because it is cheap & looks nice. I looked into getting black aquarium sand & it was just too expensive. So my recomendation is to go with playsand, just because it is the only sand substrate that I have experience with.

I am sure if I could afford the coloured sand & had used it, I would also recomend that as well, but I cant afford it & havnt used it so cant recomend it.


Tom

 

[mike455555]

i think its all down to personal opinion. if you want a dark sand substrate go for the more expensive one, i was looking into sand and gravel the other day... for my first tank it cost me £50 for the substrate... being in collage this is a lot to me. i had a little left over so used that on my other tank. (this is gravel)... heard the recommendations on here for play sand and how to treat it, went with it. because £3 is so cheap. no problems since...

you mention that every thread you see complaining about sand is becasue they used play sand...i dont think this is the case i think its more along the line of they never washed it. and you should wash whatever you put into a tank anyway

im 100% for play sand not heard of a problem which doesn't involving washing

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Did you read the part about how there was a study done that showed that it is not just that they look better because of the contrast, but they actually produce more color, making them physiologically more colorful?

There are lots of complaints about sand in the hobby. Almost every time a thread like this comes up there are certain issues brought up. Those who haven't experienced them say they are bunk, those who have know they are real risks. IME those issues have everything to do with the type of sand used.

I don't know why you are making an issue of this. This is a forum, for sharing information. You haven't even used this sand so you have absolutely no experience with it, yet you argue against it.

To anyone else:
Just know that there are options. From what I have heard from people who have used cheapo sands, pool filter sand is the best because it is more uniform in size than play sand. But the sand I use and recommend actually has color options. If you like light tank, great, buy some pool filter sand and good luck. If you can afford to buy sand that runs about $1/lb and you need about 1lb/gallon then the sand I recommended is the best option IME (and also comes in light tan).

I don't care one iota about the sand you mentioned, one way or the other. You mentioned the price of this sand, and I countered with the price of play sand. The issue was with your flippant remark about who should and should not be in the hobby based on their willingness to spend money on sand. You are the one who made the issue. I merely pointed out that play sand is 1/10th the price of the sand you recommended. That's all, and for that it was insinuated that someone unwilling to spend $1/lb of substrate shouldn't be in the hobby. Pardon me, but I think that you are the one who was out of line. But, that's fine. It isn't worth the effort discussing this with you and I don't intend to derail this thread any further.

 

[fishguy2727]

The sand I recommended does not need to be cleaned at all.

I think not cleaning cheapo sands is an issue, but there are issues that many people have had with cleaned sand. That is my point. I have never had or seen any issues with the sand I recommend.