Sand?

[Zafirah]

I want to create a freshawater marine tank, look of marine, but its freshwater. Can i use sand for it. And is everything plastic. what are the rocks

 

[fishcollector7000]

yeah sand is good i haev it and my polkadot loaches and hoplo cat love it! the hoplo filters it through his gills which is wicked as it keeeps it clean !
some people say it gets dirty but mine is genrally ok! so GO AHEAD!!!!

 

[Zafirah]

How much would you advise getting for a 20 gallon long? Also, what kind is the best to use

 

[fishcollector7000]

i have a 125l tank and i think i used about 3.5 bags of 5kg white sand.That was purchased from the fish store so i knew oit was safe! although.....are you planting in your tank? as i did and you would need a stronger substrate underneath to root the plants! ???

 

[Castellop123]

Using Play/silver sand from a garden centre is usually the cheaper option... As long as you clean it well before placing it into the aquarium, there should be no problems...

 

[Zafirah]

No, im not planting. It is going to have fake corals in it and fake rocks and stuff. Also, i live right by the Pacific Ocean, Northwest washington area. Could i get my stuff from the beach. Like lava rocks and such from the beach. What should i do to ensure it is safe for my tank/fishys

 

[fishcollector7000]

hmmmm tricky the rocks may alter the water quality slightly you have to be careful with these kind of things. i had a disaster myself but with sponge

 

[mlawson]

Using Play/silver sand from a garden centre is usually the cheaper option... As long as you clean it well before placing it into the aquarium, there should be no problems...

I would go with Corin Castles option.
With sea sand there is a risk and you can buy cheap silica/play sand from any good
Garden centre. 1 large bag costs about £3.

 

[Zafirah]

Im gonna go get my sand from petco tommrow

 

[fishcollector7000]

good thats a safer option!

 

[Zafirah]

Ok i onlly got 20 ilbs of sand im im hoping that will suffice
what do i do to clean it or do i just throw it into the tank

 

[dizzied]

20lbs will be okay for the 20L. I had the same in mine.

Wash the sand in another container before using it.

 

[Zafirah]

OK i washed it and now i have an amazingly cloudy tank
is it ok to put my fish in that. How long does it take for the cloudyness to clear up

 

[dizzied]

It's not okay if you haven't cycled the tank yet.

The cloudiness should clear up in a few days.

 

[Zafirah]

Yeh, my tank has been cycled. It had fish in it and my fish are currently sitting in a bucket waiting to go back into the tank, can they now go back into the tank or should i throw a heater and airator into the bucket and let me sit in it for the night