What Type Of Sand Do You Recommend

[Die_Grinder]

ok setting up a new fresh water tank and i am gonna put sand in it, already have a tank with silica sand in but i dislike it (its tooo chunky ), i also have a marine tank with coral sand in (not sutible for fresh water)

so what other types of and do you guys recommend? i have read the post on sand in aquaria and silver sand seems to be quite good only it compacts but does it compact too much for plants? (i want plants to get good rooting in it)

thx DG

 

[James007]

I do not have sand myself however many of the members recommend childrens play sand provided that you wash it thoroughly

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

I use play sand in most of may tanks and its great. If your in the UK argos is cheapest at £2.49 a bag but i have also used it from homebase and B&Q sell it. I have plants growing in it with no problems and just poke fertiliser sticks in it under them.

Emma

 

[Die_Grinder]

kool thx guys, will have to drive across lincoln to b&q then

dont suppose you know what size of bags they sell it in, and a rough price?

Thx muchly DG

 

[Bloo]

You might want to phone first and check if they have any in before hitting the road. This isn't quite Play Sand Season yet.

 

[James007]

Argos it if it is closer for you

http/www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3652620.htm

 

[emma12321]

Hi,

Just had a look on my argos sand and theres no weight on it. B&Q and homebase are about £3.99 a bag but its a bigger bag than argos, like the size you would buy builders sand or cement. As a guide i used 2 homebase bags to do a 2 inch layer of sand in my tank with a footprint of 5 feet by 20 inches (rio 400) and i used one bag to do my vision 180 which is about 3 and half feet by 18 inches with a bow front.

Argos is a very light coloured sand compared to homebase which is a more natural colour.

Emma

 

[Squid]

I used the argos playsand too.. £2.49 for 15 kg.. i bought 2 for my rio 180 (48US gallon)... more than enough, but 1 wouldnt have been enough.

Squid

 

[saboy]

what about anorobic (sp) bacteria forming, does nt this happen with play sand, i read that silica is the best as it doesnt compact and cause the bad baceria forming

 

[Squid]

Early days for me to comment on that really.. But from what i hear, nothing that a bent coat hanger cant fix by giving it a stir now and then. Thats probably good practice for any sand.

Cheers
Squid

 

[The-Wolf]

personally I use and would recomend pool filter sand
silver/play sand is too irregular in grain size and therefor compacts down too much in water.

 

[Bloo]

nothing that a bent coat hanger cant fix by giving it a stir now and then.

Or wooden chopstick !

 

[Squid]

nothing that a bent coat hanger cant fix by giving it a stir now and then.

Or wooden chopstick !

good call... the missus struggles to eat with them, so i could use hers for that instead...

 

[James007]

Re anorobic (sp) bacteria - check out the pinned article by nmonks:


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=131373

 

[Die_Grinder]

i went to B&Q and got a 25kg bag of playsand for £3.45.
resealed the tank to day so gonna check for leaks in it tomoz, used pleanty of sealant tho so it should be fine.

would you guys say a fluval 305 would be ok in a fluval duo deep 1000? you know with the sand and all?

thx- DG