Which Sand Is Best To Use (Freshwater)? Unipac Or Aqua Terra...?.

[gazb5590]

Going to switch my tank over from gravel to sand (preferably white) but not sure which is the best sand to use.
I was going to get Unipac or Aqua Terra but not sure which is best and if anyone's got any experience of using either brand or any other brands of sand substrate?
To fill my tank with Aqua Terra would be a lot cheaper than Unipac but I've heard the sand is more like a powder!?!

My tank is 145 litres (35 inches by 15 inches) so was also wondering how much sand I would need and how deep I should have it?

Any advice on keeping a sand aquarium is welcome as I've not got any experience in the matter.

 

[ainsy]

I use Argos play sand - not very expensive at all

 

[onidrase]

doesn't matter as long as it's not aragonite or coral based (unless you're setting up an african cichlid tank) and it doesn't have any trace minerals that can harm the fish. I myself use playsand, and I like the outcome more than the deadly expensive aquarium sand that stores tend to sell. You might get a color closer to a light tan than a pure white, but that's better anyway IMHO. Less blindingly bright to the fish when you turn the lights on.

Most pool filter sands and play sands are totally safe, and cost like 2 dollars for 50 pounds, as opposed to 15-20 dollars or 20 pounds. All you need to do is rinse it thoroughly and throw it in, which you'd need to do with aquarium sand or even gravel anyway.

 

[hilly81]

+1 for argos play sand. £3 ish for 15kg. Little tip, don't buy 2 bags (30kg) then carry it half a mile to the car. Nearly killed me.

 

[smokeyjo]

Yeah argos play sand I went with looks nice and natural and is cheap as chips. +1 on not parking a 20 minute walk away from the shop lol I bought 2 and I didn't think I was guna survive after carrying them back to the car lol. Its pretty easy to clean too I just chucked the whole bag in a pillow case and run water from the tap into the pillow case and stired it all about. Much easier than using the bucket method

 

[Le0n]

I use unipac congo sand, It looks very nice and was easy to clean. The tank was very slightly cloudy for about 12h. I was going to go with Argos playsand but thought the unipac looked nicer, the only problem was the cost! it was about £30 for a 3ft tank

 

[Aqua Tom]

+99 for playsand, dont have to be argos. Its kid safe & cheap.

Its what is in my sig



Tom

 

[MBOU]

You dont want too deep a sand bed, one 12.5kg sack of UniPac sand should be fine (£14-£16 depending on type).

Argos sand is alright if you want the plain silver sand... with unipac there is loads of different types of sand. I know there is pictures somewhere... hmmmm

---> Aquarium Decor
--> Aquarium Sands (near the bottom)

The Aquarium Silver Sand is what you will find in Argos (its just a really poor photo)

http/www.unipacpet.com/