freshwater sand

[glasstapper]

new 125g. i'd like to use a white substrate, thinking of sand. Comments suggestions thanks

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Pool filter sand is a great option. It is heavier than most sands and is smooth. It doesn't cloud as much as other sands at the initial startup and is cheaper. Check out my gallery for some pics. Although, I did mix in some black sand for the peppered look.

 

[Felf]

i used sand blasting sand but rinsed well first.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Is sand blasting sand white? I know I've heard of black sandblasting sand (Black Beauty).

 

[Pufferpunk]

Make sure the bed is <1", or you need to thoroughly stir the sand weekly, to prevent anerobic bacteria (toxic) pockets from forming. Pretty, but a PITA as far as I'm concernec, especially in a tank that size. I only use sand for burrowing species. JMO

 

[Fishyfanatic]

If you do have a deeper sand bed (mine range from 2 1/2 to 4 inches), just pop in some MTS and you don't have to worry about stirring the sand. Or if you are interested in eels, I use them in the 29 gal tank and have never stirred the sand. They do it nicely for me. Plus they are cool to look at when they are hanging around in the greenery for their daily "tan".

 

[PBirdsong]

It's amazing how often this question comes up. Personally, I am a BIG fan of sand. I will use it for every tank I own now.
Anyways, I asked this question a while back. Got some GREAT info:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=55919&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

 

[Acer]

does anyone knwo approximate prices on the different sands? i was thinking about using the same in my 55...

 

[PBirdsong]

50 lbs of playsand from Home Depot is only $4.00. I use playsand in my 55.
I think Pool Filter Sand can be found for around $8.00, but don't quote me on that.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I like pfs beacuse it doesn't cloud as much. Personally, mine has never clouded but I have heard of people having theirs cloud. I bought a 50 lb bag for I believe $7.

 

[fishyrican]

I got PFS at HD a few weeks ago @ $6 for a 50lb bag.

 

[mrcrazypants05]

One of the pool stores around here (Watsons) wanted about $8 for a 50 lb bag. I almost got some and had paid for it. I went around to the back of their warehouse and the 16 year old kid that was working back in the warehouse... by himself... said they were out. Ah sheesh...

 

[PsiPro]

Here is a nifty calculator for determining how much sand you will need:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/calcs2.php?type=sanddepth

If you haven't seen it alredy...