What Sand Do You Guys Use?

[Luke & Penny]

Deciding to use sand instead of the cheaper gravel in the tank, now im undecided which is best?. Coral sand is good but very costly for between half and one inch thick bottom in a rio240, I will get it if need be but ive heard other people use different types of sand. On the other hand Ive also been told that other sand like kids sand and builders sand etc is very porous and acceptable to holding bad bacteria and Crap underneath it and the slightest disruption of the bottom releases these poisons into the water thus harming the fish.

So what sand do you people ( the keepers of these fish ) use?

Cheers

 

[chumba68]

Hi

I use River Sand which can be bought for less than £2.00 for a 25KG bag at any good builders yard. I find it makes the most natural looking substrate and is recommended by M.C.H (malawi cichlid homepage) but make sure it is thoroughly washed before using.


M.C.H

 

[modernhamlet]

I use pool filter sand. It has larger, heavier grains than most sand and is generally very clean out of the bag. Looks great and the mbuna love it.

 

[freddyk]

I use a legally collected beach sand sold as play sand at Home Depot - it looks nice and is almost free of dust altogether.

 

[mamafish68]

I use Eco-Complete from Carib Sea in my 110, 55, & 48. It took me a few years to realize just how much my fish needed the stimulation of sifting. Its nice and soft but also heavy enough that it doesn't float like play sand that i've used before.

 

[acetennis2002]

I use playsand. I got it for about 1.22 for a 40 lb. bag. It was kinda dirty so took a while to clean but it looks great in the tank.