Pardon please the dumb question....

[Zagz]

I am looking at putting sand into the next tank I get. My question is when you guys refer to playsand, do you mean sand as in what goes into a sandbox?

 

[fishfreek]

Yes. Its marketed as playsand for either sandbox use or for use in landscaping. Ideally the playsand will be limestone based.

 

[Zagz]

Thanks!

 

[tkos]

I would avoid the limestone based sand unless this is a brackish or saltwater tank. For a freshwater tank silica sand is advised.

 

[cplawrence]

A lot of people (myself included) use pool filter sand. It is not quite as cheap as play sand, but pretty close ($5+ for 50 lbs.) It does not alter the pH of the water and it is also a heavier sand so that it will not get sucked into the filter quite as easily.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I agree with cplawrence. Pool filter sand is a great choice. It's not as dark in color (if that's what you're going for) though. I recently found pool filter sand that is kind of a mixture of white with some specs of red and gray. It's all pool filter sand, just a slight coloration difference.

 

[Toirtis]

Pool filter and sandblasting sands tend to be cleaner and more consistent, too.

 

[Zagz]

In have access to silica sand for sandblasting at quite a cheap price, being in the autobody business. I also have a great line on pool sand. I was a bit concerned about the silica sand being too sharp. I guess that isn't a concern as it wouldn't be sprayed at high speeds. LOL. I will look into both! Appreciate it much everyone. As usual you came through for me!

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Some pool filter sands can be sharp, just make sure you look at the grains before purchasing. I've never come across sharp sand, but another member has.

 

[tkos]

I woudl avoid the sandblasting sand. It tends to be in shards instead of round. Playsand or poo filter sand would be a better choice and are a reasonably cheap option.

 

[Zagz]

Has anyone found black silica sand? I found some on a google search but don't know how common it is.