What Type Of Sand Do I Need?

[Rooted]

So I am planning to have all sorts of tropical fish in my tank such as angle fish etc and i was just wondering what type of sand I should put in my tank I would also like to grow a few plants in the tank. So far I have thought about buying Silica Sand but I have no clue on which one is best for me.

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[ZoddyZod]

depends how much money you want to spend. If you are in the UK.....Argos play sand is incredibly cheap. I use it.....just needs a good rinse before using.

or there are some very nice black sands marketed for aquariums.....more expensive though.

 

[Rooted]

depends how much money you want to spend. If you are in the UK.....Argos play sand is incredibly cheap. I use it.....just needs a good rinse before using.

or there are some very nice black sands marketed for aquariums.....more expensive though.

thanks I will take have a look on the Argos website. Also I have about £30 to spend if I could get it for £20 or less then that would be great. Also would the play sand be good for growing plants?

 

[CezzaXV]

The play sand will be no different to any other sand in regards to growing plants. You can buy substrates mixed with fertilisers for growing plants in, but it only lasts about a year before it needs to be replaced. A better option would be to go with whatever sand takes your fancy, then you can put a layer of cat litter underneath it (make sure you get a non-scented one without any other additives). The cat litter will cling onto any nutrients floating about in the water and release them as your plants need them.

 

[Rooted]

The play sand will be no different to any other sand in regards to growing plants. You can buy substrates mixed with fertilisers for growing plants in, but it only lasts about a year before it needs to be replaced. A better option would be to go with whatever sand takes your fancy, then you can put a layer of cat litter underneath it (make sure you get a non-scented one without any other additives). The cat litter will cling onto any nutrients floating about in the water and release them as your plants need them.

is play sand 100% safe my fish wont die from it would they? and do all sorts of tropical fish like sand ? also if i was not to put anything under the sand would this affect the growth of the plants?

 

[ZoddyZod]

before we start confusing you will all manner of odd ideas (I'm sure the cat litter one seems particularly unusual!) then maybe tell us more about the type of tank and fish you are looking to set-up and keep.

you are in the best position of the hobby.....just starting out and with a World of choices!

 

[Rooted]

before we start confusing you will all manner of odd ideas (I'm sure the cat litter one seems particularly unusual!) then maybe tell us more about the type of tank and fish you are looking to set-up and keep.

you are in the best position of the hobby.....just starting out and with a World of choices!

The tank is just a standard 3ft tank not sure how many gallons it is. The fish i will be looking to keep are just the standard tropical fish such as angle fish,neons etc and maybe 1 or 2 sucker fish.

 

[ZoddyZod]

if it's a standard 3 footer, it's probably too short for angels - they need a tallish tank as can grow to 10" in height and need the vertical space.

sucker fish (plecs) could be fine - depending on species. Bristlnose or clown plecs don't get very big so would be suitable. Be careful, quite a lot of plecs can get over a foot long. There is a list of plecs under 6" pinned in the Plecs sub-forum of this site.

neons - fine!

 

[Rooted]

if it's a standard 3 footer, it's probably too short for angels - they need a tallish tank as can grow to 10" in height and need the vertical space.

sucker fish (plecs) could be fine - depending on species. Bristlnose or clown plecs don't get very big so would be suitable. Be careful, quite a lot of plecs can get over a foot long. There is a list of plecs under 6" pinned in the Plecs sub-forum of this site.

neons - fine!

So I will stick with small fish such as neons then. Also with regards to the play sand how would i go about cleaning it is it just the same as cleaning normal gravel or do i need to put more effort and care into it as it is play sand.

 

[ZoddyZod]

sand in a bucket, fill with water, swoosh around with your hand, drain off the water

.....repeat until the water that is removed is clear and not cloudy.

very simple!

 

[Rooted]

sand in a bucket, fill with water, swoosh around with your hand, drain off the water

.....repeat until the water that is removed is clear and not cloudy.

very simple!

OK I Think I will pop into Argos and buy it now do U think 15kg would be enough for me or do I need more?

And thanks for the help I appreciate it.

 

[Salam]

I put my sand (also Argos playsand) in a bucket in the garden and let the hose run through it for a couple of hours. No problems at all.

 

[Rooted]

I put my sand (also Argos playsand) in a bucket in the garden and let the hose run through it for a couple of hours. No problems at all.

this sounds funny but i don't have a hose pipe i guess i would need to buy one along with the sand lol.

 

[ZoddyZod]

OK I Think I will pop into Argos and buy it now do U think 15kg would be enough for me or do I need more?

And thanks for the help I appreciate it.

depends how big your tank is.

My 4x2 foot tank needed 2x15kg bags to give a good 7-10cm layer.

 

[Salam]

No hose pipe? You need one for the summer, go get one