Where to get black play sand?

[JuiceBox52]

I cant find any black play sand anywhere. Lowes has tan colored sand 50lb bag for $2.50 but no black

@Byron @Fishmanic @Retired Viking @Deanasue

 

[utahfish]

I cant find any black play sand anywhere. Lowes has tan colored sand 50lb bag for $2.50 but no black

@Byron @Fishmanic @Retired Viking @Deanasue

I dont think hardware stores sell black playsand that i have ever seen. One can get black silca sand at most fish stores. A 50 lb bag of play sand is about 7.00$ where as a 20lb bag of black silica sand is about 25$ personally i use black diamond blasting sand. Its been used in the hobby for years its safe wont alter your ph or gh it holds plants well some like Byron will caution using it with corydora. Its same price as play sand comes in 3 different grit sizes fine grit which is like powder,medium grit and regular grit which i wouldnt recommend. Really your choices for black sand are the expensive stuff at fish stores or black diamond blasting sand.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I dont think hardware stores sell black playsand that i have ever seen. One can get black silca sand at most fish stores. A 50 lb bag of play sand is about 7.00$ where as a 20lb bag of black silica sand is about 25$ personally i use black diamond blasting sand. Its been used in the hobby for years its safe wont alter your ph or gh it holds plants well some like Byron will caution using it with corydora. Its same price as play sand comes in 3 different grit sizes fine grit which is like powder,medium grit and regular grit which i wouldnt recommend. Really your choices for black sand are the expensive stuff at fish stores or black diamond blasting sand.

Will the blasting sand damage cories and kuhli loaches?

 

[Crispii]

You can try finding black play sand at Amazon.

 

[Byron]

Will the blasting sand damage cories and kuhli loaches?

Yes, there is accepted evidence of this. Blasting sand, paver sand, and similar are not refined beyond the crushing up. They are intended as binders, blasting, etc, and sharp particles do these functions better. When |I was considering sand 7 or 8 years ago I contacted Quikrete about the processing of their sands, and this was clearly explained to me. Play Sand they said is the most refined sand they produce because it has to be free of any angular/sharp edges. This processing achieves much of what is achieved with natural sand in a river, which is why "aquarium river sand" is recommended by the catfish experts. But aquarium river sands are very expensive. A bag of Quikrete Play Sand at my Canadian HD is under $7.

Play sand is safe, it is after all processed for kids who get it in their eyes, mouth, swallow it...it is safe. I've had it for 7+ years now. I get mine from Home Depot; Lowe's also carry it. They have the dark grey mix at HD here, but apparently some stores have this and others the tan. Check with your local HD, they carry Quikrete Play Sand, you might find the grey locally. It really is a lovely substrate.

 

[utahfish]

Will the blasting sand damage cories and kuhli loaches?

Plenty people report keeping khuli loaches and corydora and other bottom dwelling fish on it. I have medium grit and my bolivian Ram sifts through it with zero problems no gill irritation or problems with it. If keeping corydora id suggest going with the fine grit which is going to be closest consistency to fine river sand. There is a lot of debate about black diamond blasting sand and whether or not its safe for bottom dwellers if one isnt comfortable trying it out get play sand or silica sand that has its own issues as well. Other posters will warn you not to use industrial sands and fail to mention play sand is technically an industrial sand. Black diamond blasting sand is no more or less safe then any other sand on the market save you go down to the amazon and get some out of the river.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Amazon and walmart are super expensive

 

[utahfish]

Yes, there is accepted evidence of this. Blasting sand, paver sand, and similar are not refined beyond the crushing up. They are intended as binders, blasting, etc, and sharp particles do these functions better. When |I was considering sand 7 or 8 years ago I contacted Quikrete about the processing of their sands, and this was clearly explained to me. Play Sand they said is the most refined sand they produce because it has to be free of any angular/sharp edges. This processing achieves much of what is achieved with natural sand in a river, which is why "aquarium river sand" is recommended by the catfish experts. But aquarium river sands are very expensive. A bag of Quikrete Play Sand at my Canadian HD is under $7.

Play sand is safe, it is after all processed for kids who get it in their eyes, mouth, swallow it...it is safe. I've had it for 7+ years now. I get mine from Home Depot; Lowe's also carry it. They have the dark grey mix at HD here, but apparently some stores have this and others the tan. Check with your local HD, they carry Quikrete Play Sand, you might find the grey locally. It really is a lovely substrate.

Blasting sand isnt effective because its sharp. This is a myth. Blasting sand is effective because its hard not sharp. Its no less harder or softer than play sand, especially the fine grit.. Before black diamond blasting sand sand blasters would use just plain sand, the same sand you use in your fish tanks. Paver sand is different because it has binders in it. Blasting sand doesnt its totally inert and natural and silica free. Like ive said though before if one isnt comfortable using it dont.

 

[Byron]

There's anoth aspect to black sand, and that is the colour. I had black once (it was Flourite, not plain sand but still black) and it was not something I was attracted to after I had it. The fish took on different colouration, and I recently learned from Ian Fuller that cories are best over moderate sand tones, meaning not white or black. The tan is certainly natural; many species of Corydoras have the same background colouration because they live over this sand and from above you cannot see them unless they move. Fish respond to substrate tones in various ways, and they do affect them.

 

[JuiceBox52]

I think I will go with tan play sand from lowes.
I had originally been planning to separate my neon bits of gravel from my black, because IMO planted tanks just don't look good with rainbow gravel, but I doubt I would get it all separated by the time my plants arrive

 

[Byron]

Blasting sand isnt effective because its sharp. This is a myth. Blasting sand is effective because its hard not sharp. Its no less harder or softer than play sand, especially the fine grit.. Before black diamond blasting sand sand blasters would use just plain sand, the same sand you use in your fish tanks. Paver sand is different because it has binders in it. Blasting sand doesnt its totally inert and natural and silica free. Like ive said though before if one isnt comfortable using it dont.

If that were true, why would there be a use for "blasting" sand in blasting? They could continue to use the other. Second, when I discussed how they process industrial sands, the Quikrete fellow was very clear that play sand went through the machine several times more than the sharper industrial sands, because of the intended use.

Bottom line is, I listen to those who know fish, just the same as in dealing with my cancer I have listened to the experts. When someone who has the accredited knowledge advises, I think it is best to listen to their advice and trust it before any other. And to be clear, I am not by any means putting myself as the accredited people; I do not give personal opinions unless I clearly state it is just that, an opinion. Otherwise it is what I have learned from those who do know, because that to me is the safer road.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Do you think a single 50lb bag will be enough for a 55g? Or should I get 2?

 

[utahfish]

If that were true, why would there be a use for "blasting" sand in blasting? They could continue to use the other. Second, when I discussed how they process industrial sands, the Quikrete fellow was very clear that play sand went through the machine several times more than the sharper industrial sands, because of the intended use.

Bottom line is, I listen to those who know fish, just the same as in dealing with my cancer I have listened to the experts. When someone who has the accredited knowledge advises, I think it is best to listen to their advice and trust it before any other. And to be clear, I am not by any means putting myself as the accredited people; I do not give personal opinions unless I clearly state it is just that, an opinion. Otherwise it is what I have learned from those who do know, because that to me is the safer road.

Im not sure why the switch to black diamond blasting sand in sand blasting??? Same reason for a lot of things i guess supply and demand. As for evidence based data if somebody hasnt used black diamond blasting sand in their study and observations than how can one draw any conclusions on its use in a fish tank. I know youve mentioned a guy before who is an expert on corydora and i read the report, and i doubt hes also a marine geologist, if thats a thing, same as i doubt the quickrete guy you talked to has a degree in marine biology or geology. Which leaves the evidence for not using black diamond blasting sand incomplete at best which leaves us with anecdotal evidence from those with personal experience using black diamond blasting sand in fish tanks.ive yet to read anything from anyone who has used bdbs with bottom dwellers having any adverse effects. So far in my tank i havent observed any adverse effects. If i were to do bdbs again id probably go fine grit which is the same consistency as the black sand at the LFS but i like the medium grit because its not as messy and holds my plants better doesnt compact as easily and allows for better nutrient exchange. The only negative reports ive read about bdbs is from people that have never used it, which without there being an actual expert report on it is about all one can go on. I too trust my oncologist and look for expert opinions when my cancer is concerned and i was lucky that the doctor that invented the treatment for my type of cancer happened to live where i had just moved to when i was diagnosed. If i could find an expert on using bdbs in an aquarium i would definitely listen to that person but i dont think that person exists so until one does ill have to weigh the info i can gather from others since there is not a science based consensus as far as i know.

 

[Crispii]

Try one and if you decide you want more, then you can get one more.

 

[utahfish]

Do you think a single 50lb bag will be enough for a 55g? Or should I get 2?

I used almost 1 50lb bag for my 20 gallon with about 2 inches of substrate. So whether one gets blasting sand or play sand id get at least 2 50lb bags