Pool sand?

[Aqua_Omega]

I heard that u can use pool sand in your tank ,ivwanns go from rock to sand will use the pool sand if its safe for my fish,can anyone one give me info on this seeing that I want to get it today and start the changes,thank you

 

[Ian086]

I heard that u can use pool sand in your tank ,ivwanns go from rock to sand will use the pool sand if its safe for my fish,can anyone one give me info on this seeing that I want to get it today and start the changes,thank you

Yeah pool filter sand is fine. Many people on here use it. The one tip i can give you is to wash, wash, wash and when you think it's clean, wash it again!!!. Get a bucket and 1/3 fill with the sand. If you have access to a garden hose use this. Give the sand a good blast with the hose and give it a good stir. Repeat this over and over, until the water runs clear. The more you do this now, the cleaner the sand will be and not cloud your tank. It is a bit of a pain but the better you do this at this stage the better and clearer your water will look... When you refill your tank, put a dinner plate/saucer/bowl in the the tank, ans pour the water onto this and it will prevent turbulence and cloudy...
This process cleans the sand of dust and dirt. It also removes any light, floaty sand which will cause clouding... Happy Washing!!!!
PS... You WILL loose some of the sand, maybe 1/4 of the total, so get more than you need. I always have some spare sand in a bucket in my garage....

 

[Aqua_Omega]

Yeah pool filter sand is fine. Many people on here use it. The one tip i can give you is to wash, wash, wash and when you think it's clean, wash it again!!!. Get a bucket and 1/3 fill with the sand. If you have access to a garden hose use this. Give the sand a good blast with the hose and give it a good stir. Repeat this over and over, until the water runs clear. The more you do this now, the cleaner the sand will be and not cloud your tank. It is a bit of a pain but the better you do this at this stage the better and clearer your water will look... When you refill your tank, put a dinner plate/saucer/bowl in the the tank, ans pour the water onto this and it will prevent turbulence and cloudy...
This process cleans the sand of dust and dirt. It also removes any light, floaty sand which will cause clouding... Happy Washing!!!!
PS... You WILL loose some of the sand, maybe 1/4 of the total, so get more than you need. I always have some spare sand in a bucket in my garage....

Thank u so much , now i also have a couple of question if you don't mind ,wats the best sand to get , what grade cause some sand seem very powdery and I have a 125g tank so I'm wondering how many pounds do u suggest i get? ....p.s thanks again about the washing and dinner plate,great detailed info

 

[ff.rice]

I have a 55 gallon tank and I used 2 50lb bags and I think it's plenty..... Also like Ian said, make sure you rince what ever sand you get really well! I put one whole bag in a 5g bucket and propped up one edge of tge bucket and pushed the garden hose in and out for about 10 mins. Until the water ran clear or until all the sand that got disturbed on top settled fairly quick. But IMO sand is deff the way to go!

 

[ff.rice]

Sorry I forgot to attach the pic.....

 

[Ian086]

I have a 55 gallon tank and I used 2 50lb bags and I think it's plenty..... Also like Ian said, make sure you rince what ever sand you get really well! I put one whole bag in a 5g bucket and propped up one edge of tge bucket and pushed the garden hose in and out for about 10 mins. Until the water ran clear or until all the sand that got disturbed on top settled fairly quick. But IMO sand is deff the way to go!

Thanks ff.rice, i was just trying to work it out but you answered for me!!!. The grade you want/need is really a personal preference. I wouldn't go too powdery(?) for obvious reasons. The amount you get/need depends on the depth of sand you want in your tank. If your budget allows it, get plenty and you can decide the depth as you go. I would go with 4 50lb bags and see how it goes. I used kids play sand in mine....

 

[Malisa_]

I used half a 50 lb bag for my 20 gallon. I used Quikrete Pool Filter sand. I couldn't find the courseness on the bag but it was labeled No. 1153 if that helps. I was sooo nervous when rinsing it because it looked really dark but it wasn't dark when it was in the tank. Just when rinsing so don't panic if its not the light sand color when wet if that's what you want. Mine looked like play sand but kinda gray. Worrisome! Rinsing for me was a pain. Took forever but am 100 percent happy with it. Good luck!

 

[Ian086]

I used half a 50 lb bag for my 20 gallon. I used Quikrete Pool Filter sand. I couldn't find the courseness on the bag but it was labeled No. 1153 if that helps. I was sooo nervous when rinsing it because it looked really dark but it wasn't dark when it was in the tank. Just when rinsing so don't panic if its not the light sand color when wet if that's what you want. Mine looked like play sand but kinda gray. Worrisome! Rinsing for me was a pain. Took forever but am 100 percent happy with it. Good luck!

Yeah i'm washing some(Play Sand) for a 15g, as we speak, literally. I hate it but as Malisa said, the end results are worth it....

 

[Aqua_Omega]

I have a 55 gallon tank and I used 2 50lb bags and I think it's plenty..... Also like Ian said, make sure you rince what ever sand you get really well! I put one whole bag in a 5g bucket and propped up one edge of tge bucket and pushed the garden hose in and out for about 10 mins. Until the water ran clear or until all the sand that got disturbed on top settled fairly quick. But IMO sand is deff the way to go!

Thanks,yeah I think sand is wat I'm going to do

 

[CameronCade]

Pool sand > Play sand.

 

[Aqua_Omega]

Sorry I forgot to attach the pic.....

Wow that's a GORGEOUS tank,much better looking then mines

 

[Aqua_Omega]

You guys are really great and really was a great help ...I'm going right now to get it do when it's done I will post pics for you guys.....thanks again

 

[Lady_Glock9]

Yeah pool filter sand is fine. Many people on here use it. The one tip i can give you is to wash, wash, wash and when you think it's clean, wash it again!!!. Get a bucket and 1/3 fill with the sand. If you have access to a garden hose use this. Give the sand a good blast with the hose and give it a good stir. Repeat this over and over, until the water runs clear. The more you do this now, the cleaner the sand will be and not cloud your tank. It is a bit of a pain but the better you do this at this stage the better and clearer your water will look... When you refill your tank, put a dinner plate/saucer/bowl in the the tank, ans pour the water onto this and it will prevent turbulence and cloudy...
This process cleans the sand of dust and dirt. It also removes any light, floaty sand which will cause clouding... Happy Washing!!!!
PS... You WILL loose some of the sand, maybe 1/4 of the total, so get more than you need. I always have some spare sand in a bucket in my garage....

What is the benift of sand over pebble rock in a freshwater tank ?

 

[Ian086]

Wow that's a GORGEOUS tank,much better looking then mines

View attachment 157920

I assume this is your tank. It is a very nice set-up, you'll be amazed how the sand will change the whole look of your tank....
PS... While your at it, why don't you go all the way and paint the back of the tank black.....

 

[Ian086]

What is the benift of sand over pebble rock in a freshwater tank ?

I find sand much easier to keep clean. Everything sits on the top and can be easily vac out. Gravel hides so much, no matter how much you vac it. If you have ever stripped down a gravel tank, you'll know what i mean!!!!

 

[ff.rice]

Wow that's a GORGEOUS tank,much better looking then mines

Ur gonna like the sand..... Ur tank looks good too..... I'm hoping to get some more fish tonight!

 

[ff.rice]

I find sand much easier to keep clean. Everything sits on the top and can be easily vac out. Gravel hides so much, no matter how much you vac it. If you have ever stripped down a gravel tank, you'll know what i mean!!!!

MUCH easier to keep clean.... And I'm sure there's some pricy sand out there, but for the most part the sand is a lot cheaper than the gravel!

 

[Aqua_Omega]

Ok,got the sand and starting the washing process

 

[Aqua_Omega]

It's almost done

 

[Ian086]

View attachment 158197

It's almost done

Great job mate. Looks great, love the lay out. Should be completely clear in a day or so...