HEY ALL,
I want to set a few tanks up with sand as the substrate and i'm sure i am not the first. But... coral sand is too expensive... Does anyone know of cheap sands that are easy to get hold of to use in aquariums?
Also, would there be any problems with using sand from the beach?
What are peoples opinions of Silica Sand?
Does anyone have any experience with filter sand from pool shops?
any ideas would be appreciated
Chris
Go and just buy some sand pit sand
Will cost very little for the amount you need and is good quality
Joff
Sand is the best substrate I reckon for fish. I've got river bed sand in our semi planted display tank as this looks natural and I reckon looks better with plants however I have white sand in with my shellies.
I've also noticed since using sand the fish seem to be a bit happier as they move and shape the tank and substrate as they see fit. It's interesting to see how the tank changes from week to week. Also when you do a gravel clean run the syphon lightly over the top of the sand and although you will lose tiny amounts of sand it really is negligable but you can add what you lose over time. The type of sand you use will dictate the amount lost during gravel cleaning.
My advice when using sand is clean it thoroughly so there is no lose or dirty crap and then do it again thoroughly. The best way is to get a brand new concrete mixer and put a bit in the bottom so while it's turning run the hose in it and all the lighter stuff and crap should flow out leaving the good stuff. Be aware you will lose quite a lot during cleaning no matter what method you use. It's a pain in the arse but the results will be bucketloads better.
Also with sand add what you think is an adequate amount then add another 1/2 as it will pack down and seem to lose a bit of volume. If you want to put plants in the tank let them properly grow in for a month before adding fish to save having to replant every day like I have to and to let any substrate fertilsers bed in as well. If your not using plants you can leave the substrate in the tank with water without adding fish for a week so that it weighs down properly and doesn't get stirred up by the fish as easily if any at all.
Also the types of sand you use will dictate loses due to gravel cleaning and stir up factor. White sand is the lightest, then river bed sand, then garnet sand and finally black sand or Illmenite. Be aware Illemite is radioactive but there is a place near Brisbane Airport that sells it having been treated so it has the same radioactive content as white sand.
I've never used sand pit sand nor the filter sand but have been told it is quite heavy and good for aquarium use. A lanscaping place up the road from me sells sand in there abouts of 40kg lots for $5 (white and medium river bed sand) with other sands ranging up to $25-$26 a kg but thats for garnet and Illmenite which are specialty sands.
Finally my advice is use sand. No matter what type you choose to go with you won't regret it and your fish will love it which is the most important thing. Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Bryce.
wheres this landscaping place i live in inala
It's on Gympie Road at Lawnton just before the Pine Rivers High School. A fair way from you I'm afraid.
Cheers,
Bryce.
yea bryces comments are spot on
and i use the exact same sand it looks awesome and brings the fish out imo
:D
seems like good advice. i will get some of the river bed sand, i checked out the aqua zoo store in james st, the valley, and they use river bed sand there, it looks good. anyway thaks for the advice, i will see what i can do about pics once it is set up.
chris
me too sounds good
ill find some cheap white river bed sand at landscaping supply somewhere.
when i have the time to do all this of coarse