Sands, Other Than Play Sand..

[Always Learning]

I'm looking for a sand which is cheap, but darker and a bit heavier than play sand. Although I have used Argos play sand before, I don't like how it compacts in no time and how easy it is to stir up, aswell as the fact it is very light.

What other ones can you recommend which is quite dark and slightly larger grain size, which is suitable for aquariums? There's a few builders yards around here, but it's much better to get personal recommendations and maybe pictures, than just seeing it in a bag. Moon sand was what I was after, but I am not spending £60+ on sand..

Thanks

 

[raptorrex]

I'm looking for a sand which is cheap, but darker and a bit heavier than play sand. Although I have used Argos play sand before, I don't like how it compacts in no time and how easy it is to stir up, aswell as the fact it is very light.

What other ones can you recommend which is quite dark and slightly larger grain size, which is suitable for aquariums? There's a few builders yards around here, but it's much better to get personal recommendations and maybe pictures, than just seeing it in a bag. Moon sand was what I was after, but I am not spending £60+ on sand..

Thanks

not sure how "cheap" it is. but pool filter sand seems to have may shades.

 

[symon_say]

Sand blaster silica sand, that's what i get.

 

[minxfishy]

Check out aqua essentials (google them) they do varying colours and sizes of sand, made by Unipac I believe. Its usually around 1mm sand, doesnt compact and can also be syphoned unlike play sand which just goes straight up.

 

[raptorrex]

Sand blaster silica sand, that's what i get.

thats a good one that. but it does not suite all fish, its very sharp.

 

[elisew]

Check out aqua essentials (google them) they do varying colours and sizes of sand, made by Unipac I believe. Its usually around 1mm sand, doesnt compact and can also be syphoned unlike play sand which just goes straight up.

+1 for Unipac sand.

I have the 'Congo' sand, it`s mid-colour, not too light but not too dark either. I think the darkest they do is 'Limpopo' and I do have that in the Badis/Glassfish tank.
I had the 'Congo' sand in my Tropical 180L but now have it in the 380L Tang setup and it`s really easy sand to work with and keep clean
I think it cost me approx £15 for 25kg, not majorly cheap but it`s good aquarium sand

 

[elisew]

oops double post

 

[Inchworm]

Pool filter sand is safe but any sand sold for sand blasting is probably not since the objective in using it is to cause abrasion. To be safe for fish, especially bottom dwellers, the individual grains should be smooth.

There is also #1 gravel that is larger than sand but can work out well in a tank. It stays in place and doesn't tend to migrate like sand does.

 

[Always Learning]

Thanks for the replies

Sorry, I should have mentioned that it had to be suitable for a few species which like to sift through the sand for food.. so sharpness is a big issue also. I'm using the unipac 'micro black gravel' at the minute which looks great, is easy to clean and was £15 for 25kg.. it just sadly falls into the too sharp catagory. I can order some of their sand in though I suppose, though I thought they only did their 'black' one which was dark and that's a grey colour in reality. I'll have a look to see some of their other offerings then, as they are indeed fairly well priced.

Pool filter sand I have heard mentioned a few times... though I could only find it online and with the carriage, it bumped it up a fair bit. I wasn't aware that there was different shades of that though, so I shall be looking further! I'm not such a tight yorkshire man that I will only pay rock bottom, but as Tesco say, every little helps.. and why pay more for effectively the same thing? I do, however, object to spending more than I did on the tank on substrate!

Blasting sand.. if it's sharp, it's a no go

 

[elisew]

I have a mixture of different sized Tanganyikan cichlids (and fry) in my tank and they all manage really well with sifting through the unipac sand. Obviously it`s up to you but all of my previous tropical fish were ok with it too
Try Maidenhead aquatics, they tend to have a good selection of different colours and grades of sand....well my local one does anyway. You never know

 

[symon_say]

Sand blaster silica sand, that's what i get.

thats a good one that. but it does not suite all fish, its very sharp.

Depends on the size of the sand mine is about 0.5-1 mm and my corys are doing fine, any bigger might harm then.

 

[bullit]

kiln dry sand is like £3 for 25kg

 

[raptorrex]

Sand blaster silica sand, that's what i get.

thats a good one that. but it does not suite all fish, its very sharp.

Depends on the size of the sand mine is about 0.5-1 mm and my corys are doing fine, any bigger might harm then.

well, as long as you are happy!

 

[Dudfield]

kiln dry sand is like £3 for 25kg

and the rest mate, im my builders yard its about 5/6 unless you barter with us then you can get it for 4 pound, its a good sand which can range from silver to light yellow or a dark yellow depending on the batch but get down to your local builders merchant (not a travis or jewsons) for a look and barter on price, remember there is always a cheaper price than what your getting so ask for it.

hope this helps

 

[twodoctors]

I'm also using Unipac fine gravel which is 2-3mm according to the packet. I paid over the odds (£35) but it can be bought for around £30 in the shop. I also have 6 corys and after 3 weeks their barbels are still intact.

My 2p worth.

Adrian