Sand As A Substrate

[cornishlass]

it has oyster shall in it (only a little)

 

[markp2067]

Playsand is the way forth. Cheap, easy and safe.

 

[cornishlass]

Thanks, just wondered as I get bulk bags of bird sand cheaply for the birds and at cost price its cheaper than play sand

 

[markp2067]

I wouldn't suggest bird sand to be honest. Playsand is silly cheap though.

 

[markandhisfish]

agreed , playsand all the way .

 

[cornishlass]

Ok thanks, not sure if I should open another topic, but I am hoping to have a planted tank, should I use anything under the sand. Will i have to wash the play sand?

 

[markandhisfish]

yes the playsand will need to be washed but it doesnt take lots of washing , its already fairly clean . youl probably get better advice about planting if you started a thread in the planted section .

 

[markp2067]

Give the play sand a good wash in a bucket until the water runs clear.

You dont have to have anything under it but you can if you like. Check out the planted q&a's, they are awesome.

 

[Aqua Tom]

Sand is an ideal planting substrate & i can build sandcastles with my kids with the leftovers.

 

[Rynofasho]

If you are going to be starting from scratch, you may as well put something under there for the plants. It certainly cannot hurt, and it would be easy now.

 

[cornishlass]

I just mentioned to hubby about getting the play sand, and he said the sand we have at home should be ok, its from a building yard, but is yellow and looks like play sand, he says it isn’t builders sharp sand. What do you think?

 

[markp2067]

Builders sand frequently has chemicals mixed into it that help it to bond when mixed up for concrete and what not. Personnaly i would stay clear but its up to you.

 

[cornishlass]

Builders sand frequently has chemicals mixed into it that help it to bond when mixed up for concrete and what not. Personnaly i would stay clear but its up to you.

Thanks will do

 

[Aqua Tom]

Builders sand frequently has chemicals mixed into it that help it to bond when mixed up for concrete and what not. Personnaly i would stay clear but its up to you.

Thanks will do

I am not sure about that but for the sake of £3 for a 15 kilo bag of playsand it doesnt seem worth the risk.

 

[cornishlass]

Builders sand frequently has chemicals mixed into it that help it to bond when mixed up for concrete and what not. Personnaly i would stay clear but its up to you.

Thanks will do

I am not sure about that but for the sake of £3 for a 15 kilo bag of playsand it doesnt seem worth the risk.

No i am not going to risk it, only asked as we have a ton bag in the garden at the mo