Sand As Substrate - Would You Recommend?

[Libbyd23]

Hi guys

I'm getting a new aquarium and starting to plan what I'm going to do with it. Really fancy a change from gravel, so would you recommend sand as a substrate instead? How is it for cleaning? Any suggestions on how to keep it maintained and clean?

Thanks

Libby

 

[electropunk06]

i have sand in one of my tanks and it great (putting sand in other tank soon)
to clean it i get a cravel vac and hold it a few inches above the sand and move it about to get the dirt floating and vac it up, im still getting a tiny bit of sand as well but not too bad.
the fish prefer it as well i think.
Lloyd

 

[moochy13]

i think sand looks great. some say it makes fish colours wash out, but mine all seem pretty colourful. cleaning is as above, even better if the end of your vaccumm is only the diameter of a garden hose or something, then you can really pinpoint where you want to clean. some fish prefer sand, cories in particualr off the top of my head. they sift it through their gills. both my plecs also like to dig themselves little craters to lay in. somebody might suggest you need to 'turn/agitate' the sand every now and then. most think its an old wives tale, and i agree. i dont bother and my water stats are spot on. argos play sand is 3 quid a 20kg bag, massively cheaper than 'proper' aquarium sand, you just need to rinse it through thoroughly before using it. heres a picture of argos play sand. i do have some gravel at one endof the tank just incase a fish fancies a change, but most stay over the sand.

 

[Libbyd23]

What a beautiful tank you have! Well that's me sold - it looks so much more attractive so I'll be heading to Argos once the new tank arrives

 

[electropunk06]

it takes a few rinses (10+) to get the sand clean so takes a while.
B&Q play sand looks exactly the same as the argos play sand.
Lloyd

 

[raptorrex]

it takes a few rinses (10+) to get the sand clean so takes a while.
B&Q play sand looks exactly the same as the argos play sand.
Lloyd

I think Argos, toysrus and B&Q, sell pretty much the same product. I've read here, of all being used, successfully.

 

[Dan-CR4]

it takes a few rinses (10+) to get the sand clean so takes a while.
B&Q play sand looks exactly the same as the argos play sand.
Lloyd

I have to disagree, when i got play sand from B&Q back in March it had a lot of small gravel bits in it and was quite dark.

I have just used the Argos play sand and it is very smooth and cleaner than the B&Q play sand I had. Under lighting the Argos play sand is nearer white compared to B&Q darker colour. IMO I would choose argos over B&Q everytime now.

 

[BethK]

I use argos play sand, one bag is enough for a 125ltr and I've had no issues with it x

 

[Libbyd23]

Argos it is! Thanks

 

[BethK]

Argos it is! Thanks

The bags are pretty heavy btw, I had to take my son's pushchair into argos, as I couldn't carry the bag to the car............cus i'm a woss

 

[Libbyd23]

Argos it is! Thanks

The bags are pretty heavy btw, I had to take my son's pushchair into argos, as I couldn't carry the bag to the car............cus i'm a woss

I'll send my boyfriend then

 

[the biffster]

beside argos you can get it at
the early learning centre

 

[BusyMumof5]

Does it really take 10 rinses to clean it..

 

[electropunk06]

Does it really take 10 rinses to clean it..

i did it in 8 but the water was a llitle bit murky still.

 

[the biffster]

not if you use a big
bucket and a power
shower