Sand substrate

[SoilGuru]

Hey all. I've been maintaining numerous plant tanks for more than 15 years. I am setting up an "experimental" tank and would like to use sand as the substrate (possibly Flourite or something similar below it, but sand on the top).

Now, I know some of the drawbacks to using sand, however, like i said, this is an experimental tank.

I've seen numerous pictures of people's tanks with sand. I was wondering what kind of sand to use. I know you shouldn't use reef sand, and I have heard some use pool filter media sand, but was wondering if anyone else has any suggestions on the kind and where to get sand.

 

[The-Wolf]

pool filter sand or play (silver) sand is fine

 

[luxum]

If you have any interest in black sand, the stuff marketed under the name "Tahitian Moon" is great stuff, a little pricey but it doesn't float at all and is visually quite appealing.

 

[ouchia]

i would highly recommend seachem's "onyx".... it's a black 'sand' substrate with the same qualities as flourite... perfect for planted tanks.

 

[AquaSeaFoam]

ouchia,
a friend of mine told me that the onyx substrate is really more of a dark grey even when wet, so not to use it if youre really goin for a black substrate.
Are you using it too? what would you say?

soil guru,
I used play sand from home depot ($2.00 & something for 50 pounds)
for one tank i rinsed it with a 5 gal bucket, stirring it and pouring off the floaters... on another tank i decided that was too much work and put it straight in. They both cleared up in about the same amount of time ( a couple days)

 

[ouchia]

i am using the onyx, and yes, it is more of a slate than a black. true enough. actually, it's a little like graphite, it has a very subtle sheen to it as well. makes greens look real nice.

 

[Lateral Line]

The more even grain size and shape of pool filter sand prevents it packing down to the same degree as silver sand or other types I have tried. It is all I use now. You still need to prod it around a bit, but nothing like the same extent as examples with a large grain size range, the small pieces always fill the cracks between the larger ones.

 

[Nidge]

I have heard of people using sand blasting sand which is very fine and cheap.

 

[ouchia]

i also hear great things about caribsea's eco-complete substrate. also a black "sand"...

 

[SoilGuru]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've decieded to go with the pool filter sand (was actually going to use sand blasting sand, but a friend happened to have half a bag of pool filter sand available, so i chose that.

Thanks again!

 

[smithrc]

one last thing... if your using the dry Flourite (small gravel sized bits) it wont stay under the sade as it'll naturally rise to the top as the bits are bigger.

you will need to get hold of some wet stuff (like clay) and squish it into the bottom and then put sand on top of that

 

[jacblades]

I have heard of people using sand blasting sand which is very fine and cheap.

i heard someone say they use black beauty sand blasting sand that comes in 3 grain sizes. its jet black. i believe it was treefrog but dont quote me on that...