Sand Specific?

[mtv8dmarine]

I was looking around this weekend and thought about how nice my tank would be if I took my plants that are arriving tomorrow and planted them in sand as opposed to the typical pea gravel substrate. Then I saw that the bags of sand at PetSmart are like $25 per 10 lb. bag.

So my question is this, sand is sand is sand right? It's all glass. Does it really matter if you buy it ridiculously priced at PetSmart or find it cheaper in bulk elsewhere?

 

[PDSimon]

In the UK you can buy childrens play sand really cheap and use that, you just have to find a colour that suits you. I think its calles silver sand (its not silver ) there must be cheap suppliers of it in the US. Play sand is good because you know it'll be non toxic.

edit: I noticed this was in the plants section, what sort of tank are you trying to achieve? low tech or high tech? You can get certain sands designed for plants etc but that is really the high tech area so all depends on what you want.

 

[Jen]

I don't know what your plan is colour wise, or how much you need, but when I did sand I bought pool filter sand from a pool supply store for maybe $15 (canadian) for 50 pounds.

I had no problem with any plants in sand. You really want sand where all the grains are the same size and they won't 'settle' on itself creating a thick heavy layer of sand that water won't pass through. This is a great article. It really is a great medium, and looks quite natural.

 

[pumh]

well i saw that as well an i bought a ten lb bag of sand for like $7-$8.

 

[mtv8dmarine]

edit: I noticed this was in the plants section, what sort of tank are you trying to achieve? low tech or high tech? You can get certain sands designed for plants etc but that is really the high tech area so all depends on what you want.

It's a low tech setup. I think my corys would very much appreciate something finer. Plus, it would look much nicer than the multi-colored pea gravel. Just something I'm looking into down the line.

I don't know what your plan is colour wise, or how much you need, but when I did sand I bought pool filter sand from a pool supply store for maybe $15 (canadian) for 50 pounds.

I had no problem with any plants in sand. You really want sand where all the grains are the same size and they won't 'settle' on itself creating a thick heavy layer of sand that water won't pass through. This is a great article. It really is a great medium, and looks quite natural.

Yeah I was reading through a book I got (Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock) and it mentions about sand compacting on itself and thus forcing a situation where there's no circulation or water, nutrients, etc. I'm not settled on a color yet. It just struck me wrong regarding the price if there are viable and cheaper alternatives.

 

[Jen]

Yeah I was reading through a book I got (Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants by Peter Hiscock) and it mentions about sand compacting on itself and thus forcing a situation where there's no circulation or water, nutrients, etc. I'm not settled on a color yet. It just struck me wrong regarding the price if there are viable and cheaper alternatives.

I kept sand for almost 4 years I think, and had no issue with my plants. I did, however vacuum it like you do gravel, but just watching and lifting the syphon out before the sand got sucked up. I'm sure this helps with making sure it didn't settle, but of course I couldnt do it in every corner of the tank. I'm sure you will be fine with play sand and stuff like pool filter sand.