Pool filter sand for a planted tank

[hartgirl]

Hey all! I picked up some pool filter sand on a whim today. It's hth #20 silica sand (I think the same as AquaQuartz). What are your thoughts on using this in a planted tank? I also thought of mixing it with some black beauty gravel to make it have some different textures/consistency....thoughts? I am building a new angelfish biotope(ish) tank soon!


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[Puckhog429]

Its great. Throw some dirt under it and your set


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[hartgirl]

I thought about dirt....never tried it though. Anything specific (and cheap because dirt in a 90 gallon sounds $$$)? lol

Also do you find this grade of sand settles a bit better during PWCs and general disruptions? I have really REALLY fine black sand in my little 5 gallon and I hate it lol


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[Brookster123]

I use it as a cap for flourite, I'd recommend adding some yumyum plant substr are underneath..

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[hartgirl]

Ok sounds good. What are everyone's thoughts on mixing it either black beauty I already have to change the consistency and darken the color (just a bit)


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[RightTurnClyde]

I don't know anything about mixing it, but I will say that, yes, it definitely settles quickly after disruptions. If you rinse it really well before putting it in, it should not cloud the tank at all.

 

[PerfectDepth]

Following.

I plan on eventually getting a 20 long and moving everything in my 10 gallon to it. I haven't decided on the substrate yet. I'm leaning toward pfs since I already have plenty of it. I might put some flourite under it, but I also thought about trying only pfs and sprinkling some osmocote plus in the empty tank before adding the substrate. I do like the look of pfs, but I think I might prefer a dark substrate, so another option I'm considering is just flourite black with no sand.

 

[Puckhog429]

I got mine at a pool supple store. It was 15 bucks for a 50 pound bag. Was pretty pricey but didnt have to rinse it at all.


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[hartgirl]

I got mine for 11.50! I bought two 50 pound bags. I really wanted something neutral and natural looking. I still might add some black beauty for some color variation, so I'm going to try it on a very small scale and see if I like it


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[nakotronic]

I just switched to a sand and rock substrate with dirt underneath, and my fish and plants seem to be responding well. Especially one of my catfishs. I also love the more natural look it provides.

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[Sillyfishies]

This sand settles amazingly. I used it in 2 tanks.

 

[hartgirl]

What kinds of dirt are you guys using under the sand? Is there one that would remain fairly cost effective for 90-100 gallons??

Also, over time, does it lose it's ability to hold nutrients? And when your plant things and possibly move something (or a naughty fish moves it for you) does the dirt and sand end up mixing?
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[Puckhog429]

Organic potting soil is used for the dirt. I bought one bag for my 29 gallon for 11 bucks at lowes and only used a quarter of it. Dirt does not visibly mix with the sand. You can bring up dirt when pulling plants up but your filter should suck it all up.


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[Puckhog429]

I reccomend doing about an inch of dirt and at 2-3 inches of sand. The dirt will last a long time. There are a few things that you can add to the dirt to improve it. I added laterite clay for iron that i bought on amazon ( i believe api sells it) and crushed coral as reccomended by someone ( i believe to help with the kh but not sure).


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[hartgirl]

I was reading up on using dirt and a lot of people have said they don't fertilize (or do a lot less). I also read that the dirt needs to be able to breathe a bit, and that sand is so heavy and small grained that it suffocates the dirt. (I have sand)...is this true??


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[Puckhog429]

Yes and no. I found that when using a very fine sand gases build up in the dirt and explode the sand up and make a mess. When using pfs this does not happen because the granules are a lot bigger.


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[Fresh2o]

Poking the substrate with chopsticks or tweezers will often release gases before they build up.


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[hartgirl]

Ok good to know. I hate that super fine sand I have in my little tank...pool filter sand does have bigger grains (which is probably why I like it lol). I'm slowly gathering materials for a new tank...thanks for everyone's help on this substrate!!


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[hartgirl]

Poking the substrate with chopsticks or tweezers will often release gases before they build up.


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Good to know! I am sure that wouldn't be hard during pruning to do weekly ...do you fertilize as heavily with dirt, yourselves?


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[Puckhog429]

And yes some people dont add anything to the dirt and they do fine. Ive tried this method in a tank and put add ins in another tank. The tank with the add ins grew a lot faster and the plants looked better. ( each tank had same lighting and plants). Its really up to you and hoe much you want to spend. To use add ins it might cost 15- 20 bucks more than not using them but imo the 15-20 bucks spent is worth it


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