Sand Advice

[water_boy]

Ive got my new 250ltr tank coming this week and looking for advice on sand as i have my heart set on using a sand substrate for the first time. Looking for suggestions on type/make of sand, installation / preparation and anything else you think may be useful....

thank you in advance

 

[chrisrm]

Ive got my new 250ltr tank coming this week and looking for advice on sand as i have my heart set on using a sand substrate for the first time. Looking for suggestions on type/make of sand, installation / preparation and anything else you think may be useful....

thank you in advance

Argos play sand(I use it and so do a lot of people on here).

wash it in a bucket until the water is almost clear (or as clear as possible)

put it in your new tank, put a plate on the sand (so when you pour the water on the plate it dosnt disturb the sand as much).

wait until the sand has settled before turning your filter on to reduce sand being drawn into the filter

 

[Ryan_W]

Argos play sand, they've got a buy 2, get 3rd bag free offer on at the moment...

HTH

Ryan

 

[water_boy]

wow really wasnt expecting you to say that lol

im a right in thinking you are talking about this one?

http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3650574/Trail/searchtext%3EPLAY+SAND.htm

also how many kg would you think i would require for a 4ft long tank by 1 foot wide?

 

[Ryan_W]

Two bags would be fine... You've always got the free third bag if needs be!

 

[chrisrm]

wow really wasnt expecting you to say that lol

im a right in thinking you are talking about this one?

http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3650574/Trail/searchtext%3EPLAY+SAND.htm

also how many kg would you think i would require for a 4ft long tank by 1 foot wide?

thats the one!!!

i used 4 in my 6.5 x 1.6, but when you clean it you do suck some up ( not a lot but) so 3 as they are... buy 2, get 3rd bag free should do! depends how deep you want the sand!

 

[W8TSON]

Cant get any better advice than what chrisrm has already told you, ive done the same with argos sand with no problems, tank looks a million times better too

 

[water_boy]

Once again guys a massive thank you... off to Argos i go!

 

[water_boy]

..they're out of stock

 

[water_boy]

any suitable alternatives?

 

[Ryan_W]

You'll get ripped off, but any freshwater aquarium sand from your LFS....

 

[water_boy]

yeah i know, just wondered if B&Q or anywhere like that would sell play sand and if it would be suitable?
http/www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9273660&ecamp=trf-005&CAWELAID=266988026
what makes the argos sand suitable?

 

[alex.wardle]

I would just order it from agros or w8 for it to cum in stock. you cant complain about the price. Have you thought about black sand.
http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium-supplies/aquarium-ornaments/natural-gravels-and-sand/coral-sand-and-marine-substrates/caribsea-black-marine-sand.html
That stuff is real good quality looks wicked in a tank as well.
http/www.flickr.com/photos/54425849@N06/5036483987/

 

[water_boy]

think im going to go with the b&q play sand...its a bargain to. Also the argos play sand is not just out of stock in all the stores im Manchester and surrounding areas but also at the warehouse so i can't even order any for delivery

 

[elisew]

I currently have Unipac 'Congo' sand in my tank, I bought 25kg for £14.99 from my lfs.
There are all sorts of colours and different sized bags:

http/www.aquaessentials.co.uk/gravel-sand-sand-c-414_102_280.html?zenid=t51usgsnp1lk4o9f6kabvh6i26