How much sand do I need?

[EvanWells]

Hey so I have a standard 29g tank. How much sand should I buy? I dont want to over buy or under buy. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mebbid]

What kind of sand are you buying? How deep do you want the substrate?

 

[EvanWells]

What kind of sand are you buying? How deep do you want the substrate?

Live sand. Im open to suggestions though, I am new to sand. And I want the average depth, 2 inches or so.

 

[Mebbid]

You dont need "live sand" at all. If you want a particular brand of sand, get it because you like the color or consistency. Dont get it because its live.

There are some options out there though.

Pool filter sand is a nice brown color. It comes in 50lb bags for about $8, i get mine from menards. A single bag would be enoigh for you.

Black diamond blasting sand is a popular black sand. It can be bought for around $10 for 50lbs at Tractor Supply co. Again youd only need 1 bag. Just be sure to wash it very well.

 

[Coursair]

Live sand. Im open to suggestions though, I am new to sand. And I want the average depth, 2 inches or so.

We don't use Live Sand in Freshwater Set ups. That's a SW thing.

For planted tanks there are several sand options.

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[Mebbid]

We don't use Live Sand in Freshwater Set ups. That's a SW thing.

For planted tanks there are several sand options.

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Theres a number of freshwater live sands. I believe carib sea markets theirs as live as well as eco complete. Honestly though, its just a gimmick though. Not necessary at all.

 

[Coursair]

Theres a number of freshwater live sands. I believe carib sea markets theirs as live as well as eco complete. Honestly though, its just a gimmick though. Not necessary at all.

CaribSea sells "Instant Aquarium" line of FW sands with live bacteria.

The ones labeled Live Sand like Arag-Alive are intended for SW

Eco-Complete by CaribSea is labeled Planted Aquarium Substrate with Live Bacteria.

I sold this stuff for 5 years. The only bags that say Live Sand are SW.

Others say Sand with Bacteria for fast cycle.

But details aside....yes I agree with Mebbid....it's not necessary.

Get a suitable substrate for your application. African tank, planted tank, brackish tank. If you want live Bacteria, seed your filter or buy a bottle of live bacteria.

For a planted tank, add plants during cycle. They carry can BB and help cycle the tank and keep it stable much faster.


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[EvanWells]

CaribSea sells "Instant Aquarium" line of FW sands with live bacteria.

The ones labeled Live Sand like Arag-Alive are intended for SW

Eco-Complete by CaribSea is labeled Planted Aquarium Substrate with Live Bacteria.

I sold this stuff for 5 years. The only bags that say Live Sand are SW.

Others say Sand with Bacteria for fast cycle.

But details aside....yes I agree with Mebbid....it's not necessary.

Get a suitable substrate for your application. African tank, planted tank, brackish tank. If you want live Bacteria, seed your filter or buy a bottle of live bacteria.

For a planted tank, add plants during cycle. They carry can BB and help cycle the tank and keep it stable much faster.


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So would The eco-complete substrate be good for me? For a planted tank.

 

[Mebbid]

So would The eco-complete substrate be good for me? For a planted tank.

Yeah, itll work well.

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

 

[Mebbid]

CaribSea sells "Instant Aquarium" line of FW sands with live bacteria.

The ones labeled Live Sand like Arag-Alive are intended for SW

Eco-Complete by CaribSea is labeled Planted Aquarium Substrate with Live Bacteria.

I sold this stuff for 5 years. The only bags that say Live Sand are SW.

Others say Sand with Bacteria for fast cycle.

But details aside....yes I agree with Mebbid....it's not necessary.

Get a suitable substrate for your application. African tank, planted tank, brackish tank. If you want live Bacteria, seed your filter or buy a bottle of live bacteria.

For a planted tank, add plants during cycle. They carry can BB and help cycle the tank and keep it stable much faster.


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Ahhh i gotcha. I understand now.

 

[EvanWells]

Yeah, itll work well.

Substrate Calculator

Thanks dude!