Potting soil?

[Marconis]

I wouldn't do that. There are so many bacteria and microbial organisms on sand from the ocean. Too risky if you ask me. Just buy a cheap bag of play sand of pool filter sand.

 

[kevkev3321]

Orrrrr what if I go to a material yard and get a half yard of sand?

 

[meegosh]

That's really cool, do you have his username? I've been posting on APC.

The Planted Tank Forum

 

[Marconis]

Thanks Steve.

@kevkev- Do that, then.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

I wouldn't do that. There are so many bacteria and microbial organisms on sand from the ocean. Too risky if you ask me. Just buy a cheap bag of play sand of pool filter sand.

+1

Not to mention pollutants.

PFS $10 for 50Lbs and you know it's clean.

Anybody hear/know about Black PFS? Local Leslie's doesn't carry it, but that would be something I'd like to get ahold of.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[kevkev3321]

Okay then that's what I'm gunna do

Potting soil with PFS over the top

Now I just need so save some money lol

 

[mfdrookie516]

+1

Not to mention pollutants.

PFS $10 for 50Lbs and you know it's clean.

Anybody hear/know about Black PFS? Local Leslie's doesn't carry it, but that would be something I'd like to get ahold of.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

I doubt its made... after all, it is designed as a filter media.. 3m used to make colorquartz sand which was, from my understanding, about the same size as pfs... and was available in nearly any color you wanted. But... I'm pretty sure they stopped making it.

 

[kevkev3321]

or what if i just got a 90lb bag of #40 silica sand?

would that work??

 

[Joyler]

If you talk to mfdrookie...he has actually done it recently! I believe it is in his 125g planted tank

 

[Loach23]

I used desert white play sand from home depot for $5 per 50# bag. Just wash it before you put itinerary the tank. I used a 5 gal bucket

Sent from my iPad using Aquarium

 

[Loach23]

**** auto type I meant before you put it in your tank

Sent from my iPad using Aquarium

 

[Mr. Limpet]

I think you can use most any kind of sand, but rookie will know for sure.

I just rinsed out about 15lbs of PFS using an old pillow case and running our shower on it. Rinsed all kinds of fine dust out, it was quick and easy.

Sent from my Epic 4G using Aquarium Advice App

 

[mfdrookie516]

I don't care for play sand at all. It's much too fine for me.

 

[Loach23]

It is fine. But I like the look of it. Just have to be careful when moving stuff around. But it settles fast.

Sent from my iPad using Aquarium

 

[mfdrookie516]

Thats what I like about PFS... you don't have to be careful... But to each their own.

 

[Marconis]

Play sand also is a bit too yellow for my liking...at least what I've bought from Home Depot. It's sooo cheap though. $6 for 100lbs!

 

[mfdrookie516]

I pay $2 for 50lbs at meijer... sadly its only a regional chain store though and I think they only have them in 3 states.

 

[kevkev3321]

For 20 dollars I got the potting soil, 30 grit silica sand, and supplies for the lights

I made little reflector hoods for the two CFL's and mounted them under the self, over the 10g

I lined the outside with sand and filled the middle with soil then covered the top

I'm gunna run it until Friday when I buy plantes then Ima take out the water and redo the sand and soil but this time put my plants in

Ima fill it with some old water and some new that way I still have nutrients from the old water

And does it help plants if there's carbon in the filter?

And what about biomedia?

 

[Joyler]

Carbon in filter is fine for plants! Plants need carbon (gas) it makes photosynthesis more efficient! But if you put carbon in your filter...you'll have to take it out if you ever have to medicate! Carbon renders medicine useless

 

[Marconis]

Does carbon in that form really do anything for plants?