Sand Rocks And Stones

[Serious Dan]

Hi I am just setting up my first tank(basic tropical comminity) and I am wondering if there is a cheaper alternative to the sand and rocks available in the shops. Could any rock be used as lomg as it is impervious and well cleaned, and the same for the sand.

Thanks Dan

 

[dayzofspeed]

a good basic test is to put vinegar (acid) onto a rock, if it fizzes dont use it as its best to steer clear of limestones, sand is okay as long as you dont use builders sand.... the red stuff, play sand is probably your best bet and can be picked up quite cheaply at garden centres etc, also a good source for rocks. i work in a garden centre and get most of my rock from there, slate is my favourite as its inert, i believe, best way is to find broken off bits in the rocks and quite often they'll let you have those for nothing, providing they're not too large or too many at a time, you can also get good sized bags of gravel from these places,at lower prices than at an lfs, look for split bags and ask for a discount ...wink wink

 

[the biffster]

i use sharp sand its the same
stuff builder use for making
concrete "not the yellow stuff"
sharp sand is ungraded reiver sand
and i use garden centers and the
river for rocks all rocks get the
vinegar test just to make sure
there safe. all must be boiled
and washed

 

[Serious Dan]

Thanks for that I think that has just saved me a large sum. How about gravel i presume it the vinegar test again.

Thanks Dan

 

[dayzofspeed]

yep sharp sand is good too as its often quite gravelly which will help prevent it compacting too much

 

[raptorrex]

Hi I am just setting up my first tank(basic tropical comminity) and I am wondering if there is a cheaper alternative to the sand and rocks available in the shops. Could any rock be used as lomg as it is impervious and well cleaned, and the same for the sand.

Thanks Dan

rocks, you can pick up from anywhere. you need to be careful with sedimentary rocks. but only careful, not paranoid, the vast majority are safe.
as for sand, well Argos playsand when well washed (well any playsand really) is fine, and cheap. I have no argument with "sharp" sand, accept it is what it says "sharp", and does not suite some fish. but at a couple of quid for 15kg, playsand is outstanding value. its also used by many here.

 

[the biffster]

its called sharp sand but never known
it to be with is been river sand its
normally well worn i think sharp means
rough looking

photo of sharp sand

 

[Aqua Tom]

as for sand, well Argos playsand when well washed (well any playsand really) is fine, and cheap. I have no argument with "sharp" sand, accept it is what it says "sharp", and does not suite some fish. but at a couple of quid for 15kg, playsand is outstanding value. its also used by many here.

+1

 

[Uriel]

Argos play sand here too