Substrate

[Mr. Convict]

One question... is normal beach sand safe for aquariums? or not?

and if its not, is there anyway known to like.. sterilize it to make it aquarium safe?

ps. do people usually just paint the backs of their aquarium instead of normal backgrounds? and how do you do it?

Thanks in advance

 

[Phoenixfish]

One question... is normal beach sand safe for aquariums? or not?

and if its not, is there anyway known to like.. sterilize it to make it aquarium safe?

ps. do people usually just paint the backs of their aquarium instead of normal backgrounds? and how do you do it?

Thanks in advance

too much salt and mineral content, just buy some proper sand as i dont think you can "sterilize" it or atleast not cost effectivly,
people do paint the back of the tank but better asking them.

 

[4ftguppy]

Yeah, I paint the backs sometimes (outside) - but the paint chips VERY easily, and can peel right off, so make sure you handle with extreme care afterwards. I use aerosols - plastikote or something similar

 

[xanthedc]

There is a pinned topic on sand in the general facts and questions above, it has good advice. My mother in law painted her tank on the outside of her back wall and used airfix model paint. Need to wait til dry completely before handling. Xanthe

One question... is normal beach sand safe for aquariums? or not?

and if its not, is there anyway known to like.. sterilize it to make it aquarium safe?

ps. do people usually just paint the backs of their aquarium instead of normal backgrounds? and how do you do it?

Thanks in advance

 

[Teelie]

Not to mention that beach sand can be terribly polluted and contain all kinds of unwanted chemicals or trash.

 

[Phoenixfish]

Not to mention that beach sand can be terribly polluted and contain all kinds of unwanted chemicals or trash.

and that...

just buy some its not massivly exspencive you can use children play sand too thats cheap but ook at the pinned...gah my spellings are cr*p today