Where Can I Buy Silica Sand Cheap?

[Ben M]

hi, i am thinking of changing to sand in my 4foot tank, but i don't know where i can buy silica sand cheap. i was going to use play sand, but i have read that it clogs up filters and not all plants grow in it. is that true?
and can i add a heater cable as well as my normal heater, and at what price?
thanks

 

[bitteraspects]

play sand = silica sand.
any kind of sand, be it natural, or silica, can clog your filter if it is not properly set up. whenever you are dealing with sand substrate, you will want to shorten your intake, and maybe even think about a pre-filter.

the cheapest place i have found for bulk silica sand is the local sandblasting supply. they carry a variety of sands and grain sizes. if you have a sandblasting supply warehouse near you, that would probably be your best bet. otherwise, play sand or pool filter sand from your local hardware store, will work.

 

[Ben M]

thanks, but what is a pre filter

 

[Truck]

As to whether you need a prefilter or not depends on the type of filter you are using, if your filter draws water through the media and then the pump then there isn't a need for one IMO.

Toysrus and argos are the most popular places to buy, I favour toysrus as it is a nicer colour, it doesn't need washing because the grain size is slightly bigger, so it contains no silt, and with it being darker, your fish will look a better colour, the lighter in colour the substrate is, the duller your fish will be as they will try to blend in with the substrate

 

[Ben M]

my filter is a rena filstar xp2

 

[Truck]

you wont need one, the XP2 draws water through the media and then the motor head.

 

[bitteraspects]

sand will not only effect the impeller and housing with direct contect. it will also clog the first layer of your media, reducing the overall flow in the filter, and straining the motor that way.

you will want to raise your intake to about halfway up the tank, and if there is still a lot of sand disturbance, or if you just want an extra precautionary measure, you can pick up a foam pre-filter from most LFS.

 

[Ben M]

thanks, i'll try taking the intake up.
any ideas about the heater cable?

 

[Truck]

heater cables are a waste of money, and you can grow plants fine without them, they're unnecessary.

 

[bitteraspects]

is your current heater not keeping the tank at the proper temp?
i dont see why you would need any additional heating

 

[Ben M]

it only seems to heat 1 half of it. would using a heater cable be better for the plants, and heat the whole tank better?

 

[Truck]

heating cables heat the substrate, its supposed to be better for plants but there a waste of money because loads of people do fine without them.
they're not good at heating the tank, so your best bet is another heater, if the current one can't get the tank up to temp

 

[Ben M]

i've got 1 200 watt heater, so should i get another 1 the same. and i read that heater cables stop the sand from stagnating. is that true?

 

[Truck]

sand stagnating in itself is a good thing, it provides anaerobic bacteria ideal conditions, anaerobic bacteria can convert nitrate into nitrogen and gas it off, they also produce hydrogen sulfide, which is toxic, but when it comes into contact with water it oxidizes and is harmless, the plants themselves will aerate the substrate too.

improving flow will probably solve your heating problem

 

[Ben M]

how could i improve the flow?