Type of Sand for substrate?

[Joe5688]

I paid $3.50 for 50# of play sand

 

[Hobgob]

I paid $3.50 for 50# of play sand

When you washed it, did you find you lost any of the weight?

 

[Joe5688]

Didn't weigh it lol. I only used like half bag on top of my other white and. Then just mixed it up with my hands so there wasn't two colors of sand.

 

[Donkey Gun]

When I mentioned putting your hands in the sand, I was referring to right after you fill the tank. just an FYI

 

[Hobgob]

When I mentioned putting your hands in the sand, I was referring to right after you fill the tank. just an FYI

I never had any cloudiness. I had to put some plants in after I got the water in still. But I didn't do the plastic thing. Just used a magazine lid so the water would flow into the sand rather then splash into it.

 

[Hobgob]

When I mentioned putting your hands in the sand, I was referring to right after you fill the tank. just an FYI

How big is your upside down cat? Also how long have you had him for?

 

[Donkey Gun]

How big is your upside down cat? Also how long have you had him for?

He is about 2 years old, and about 2-3 inches. Hardly ever see him though, mostly hangs out in the cave.

 

[boadams87]

It much better. It has a much more natural look and it hides the poop much better.

Its a beautiful tank

 

[Hobgob]

He is about 2 years old, and about 2-3 inches. Hardly ever see him though, mostly hangs out in the cave.

Ya mines is about the same size I'd say. He's in a 110g and only comes out when we feed him

 

[gregcuoz]

GEEEEZ I might be more confused now!!! Im hearing SPECTRA, PFS and PLAY SAND!!! I like that you dont have to preclean spectra. Is that true though:? HMMMM I really dont know which direction to go now

 

[boadams87]

GEEEEZ I might be more confused now!!! Im hearing SPECTRA, PFS and PLAY SAND!!! I like that you dont have to preclean spectra. Is that true though:? HMMMM I really dont know which direction to go now

I guess it all depends on now is how much time and money you have!

 

[gregcuoz]

I guess it all depends on now is how much time and money you have!

Id say money really isnt an object, Time is more of an issue then money. I spent an entire weekend cleaning my used tank. Its crystal clear now. I just want the best equip with the least time.

 

[boadams87]

Id say money really isnt an object, Time is more of an issue then money. I spent an entire weekend cleaning my used tank. Its crystal clear now. I just want the best equip with the least time.

Well I spent over 4 hrs rinsing, but mine was black. So u may want the no rinse sand!

 

[Hobgob]

Id say money really isnt an object, Time is more of an issue then money. I spent an entire weekend cleaning my used tank. Its crystal clear now. I just want the best equip with the least time.

What did you do to your tank? I have never spent that much time cleaning a tank...but if you want speed go with the spectra. If not id say pool filter sand(Pfs)

 

[boadams87]

What did you do to your tank? I have never spent that much time cleaning a tank...

It wasn't for the tank, I bought 2 bags of black diamond blasting sand. It is really dusty.

 

[Terrance]

I think I saw a post about cycling a 120g.

For a 2inch sand bed for the 120g, then you will need 100 pounds of sand.

Imagine rinsing 100 pounds. It's do-able, but time consuming.

SpectraQuartz® Colored Aggregate - high purity quartz, silica, UV Resistant probably need to call them for closest vendor.

 

[JoeyGGGG]

Last week I put 150 pounds of pool filter sand in my tank. It took me about 30 minutes to rinse. Then today I put 100 pounds of black diamond blasting sand in only washed for about 30 minutes as well. It's not very time consuming. I put about about a gallon bucket full of sand under a shower facet. Then after a minute I put another gallon bucket under and took the one to my tank, its efficient. My black sand was a little cloudy, but that went away after about two hours. Overall I'm trying to say, it's not as bad as you may think.

 

[gregcuoz]

What did you do to your tank? I have never spent that much time cleaning a tank...but if you want speed go with the spectra. If not id say pool filter sand(Pfs)

I bought a used tank that housed large Oscars. There was alot of hard water stains and bad fish odor. I soaked and scrubbed it with White vinager and baking soda, and scrubbed with both. Lots of soaking and rinsing. Wanna do it right

 

[gregcuoz]

I think I saw a post about cycling a 120g.

For a 2inch sand bed for the 120g, then you will need 100 pounds of sand.

Imagine rinsing 100 pounds. It's do-able, but time consuming.

SpectraQuartz® Colored Aggregate - high purity quartz, silica, UV Resistant probably need to call them for closest vendor.

WINNER!!!!! Unless someone here can dispute that you dont have to preclean spectra

 

[Joe5688]

Its a beautiful tank

Thanks!

I don't think rinsing the sand is that big of a deal. I think it all depends on color preference.