Sand Substrate

[orangegecko]

I finally got my tank today and am looking to get some white sand for it (46 gallon bowfront).  Any suggestions on a brand?  What is the difference between sand and aragonite?  I see that in a lot of stores.  I am also assuming I don't need live sand as it is going to be a FW tank.

 

[Ryan10]

I use pool filter sand when I want a lighter substrate.  You can get 50lbs for around $15.  Just rinse it really good.   Can't beat it for the price.

 

[sawickib]

Even finer sand from home depot or lowes is play sand 50 pounds for 5 USD. In my 55 gallon ele nose tank.

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

I use playsand, it isnt super duper light, but its nice. It looks dark when you are rinsing it, but it is surprisingly light in the aquarium, just make sure to rinse multiple times. I rinsed once for 30 mins and once for 15 mins, and it wasnt enough, I would rinse for about an hour total, stirring around the sand too

 

[BerryAttack]

the thing with sand, once you are rinsing it and think you are done.. repeat the rinse another 10 times.. trust me you don't want a murky tank  

 

[sawickib]

Yea made that mistake did each load about 4 times only... murky for like 3 days

 

[orangegecko]

Even finer sand from home depot or lowes is play sand 50 pounds for 5 USD. In my 55 gallon ele nose tank.

 
Do you have any pics of it in your tank?

I use playsand, it isnt super duper light, but its nice. It looks dark when you are rinsing it, but it is surprisingly light in the aquarium, just make sure to rinse multiple times. I rinsed once for 30 mins and once for 15 mins, and it wasnt enough, I would rinse for about an hour total, stirring around the sand too

 
Do you have any pictures of the play sand in the tank?  I stopped over to Lowes and Homedepot and it looked a little dark for my liking...

 

[frapadoodle]

I agree that in the tank playsand is lighter than it looks in the bag. But it's cheap.
You can find really white pool filter sand, but it is a bit more expensive.
And I agree, once you are done rinsing, do it all over again. And turn off the filter until sure all has settled.

 

[sawickib]

http/i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj591/sawickib/f3573b0e-7f1a-4a07-8e35-fdc845a2a515_zps863fcd0c.jpg?t=1390144907




http/i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj591/sawickib/photo3_zpse07be79f.jpg



Theres the play sand in my 55 gallon where my eles are going

 

[EllieJellyEllie]

 

Even finer sand from home depot or lowes is play sand 50 pounds for 5 USD. In my 55 gallon ele nose tank.

 
Do you have any pics of it in your tank?

I use playsand, it isnt super duper light, but its nice. It looks dark when you are rinsing it, but it is surprisingly light in the aquarium, just make sure to rinse multiple times. I rinsed once for 30 mins and once for 15 mins, and it wasnt enough, I would rinse for about an hour total, stirring around the sand too

 
Do you have any pictures of the play sand in the tank?  I stopped over to Lowes and Homedepot and it looked a little dark for my liking...
 

Yes, here is one 
 

This is the tank without flash, which is the sands real color in my tank, sorry about the glare and the tank in general, needs a clean and a rsscape

 

[orangegecko]

thanks for the pictures guys!  I'll investigate the pool filter sand tomorrow if the pool stores are open.

 

[sawickib]

O btw my tank is full of tannins right now so thats why its so dark

 

[orangegecko]

Just finished cleaning my sand!  Tomorrow the filter and heater come and I'll start to fill it! 

 

[Ryan10]

Awesome.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.

 

[orangegecko]

I use pool filter sand when I want a lighter substrate.  You can get 50lbs for around $15.  Just rinse it really good.   Can't beat it for the price.

 
Went to the pool store and told the guy I was going to use the pool filter sand for my tank and he ended up giving me a deal on it!  A 50lb bag was $8.50, he gave it to me for $4!  He then told me he had a salt water tank with a bunch of fish.