Sand Substrate

[nay27uk]

Hi all just wondering if using sand as substrate is a special kind of sand or can i pinch some sand from the bilders across the road and use that

 

[afishdude]

if you get some from builders make sure there isnt any other things added to it. like bonding agents and stuff. but other than that you can just use regular playsand if you wish. just rember to wash it for atleast 15min in flowing cold water. and you may want to sift out some of the rocks in play/ builder sand.

 

[BigC]

Do not use builders sand.
Play sand is perfectly alright. but I prefer to use fine gravels.

 

[nay27uk]

thanks all that responded, another question is, how would one go about cleaning sand i assume no hovering ect is required as food canot fall between sand like it can with gravel

 

[Esfa]

you could just waft the hoover above the sand, picking everything up, or you could get a net and sieve the sand.

 

[syntax_error]

When cleaning hover the siphon about 1 inch above sand and if your sand substrate is deep, about 2" lets say, then you'd have to swirl it around a bit so that it doesn't form anaerobic pockets.

By the way, I have a question too. Where can I buy black sand?
(hope its ok with nay for asking a quesiton in his thread?)

 

[afishdude]

http/www.petsmart.com/global/product_det...xt=sand&N=2

and yes hover 1-2" above sand

 

[nay27uk]

(hope its ok with nay for asking a quesiton in his thread?)

no problem me old mucker

 

[metalcherry]

i got something called coral sand which i put in with my coral stone - it doesnt pick up with the syphon and it seems easier to pick up any superfluous food lying on the bottom - i can put the syphon against it and it slightly moves and allows anything around it to be picked up

my fish seems to like it too. i heard that fish did not like sand as much because it can be quite reflective

it cost me £3 a bag out my local fish store and one bag did the bottom of my 85g aquarium so its not that expensive

 

[Odysseus]

Whatever you do, don't just pour it in. Put it in water first to see how it affects water. Don't be a fool like I was!