Types of sands, help please

[littlemeno]

I am setting up a tank i just resealed, i want to put sand as the title says.

I do not live close by a petstore and live within a few miles of a HomeDepot, Menards, and other hardware stores. I have read numerous threads of sands, but i do not know which would be the "proper" grain size for my tank.

I am setting up a 30 Gal, the fishes i have already and am holding in a seperate tank are 5 Zebra Danios, 3 Black Skirt Tetras, 3 Otos, 3 Ghost Shrimp, and 1 Angel fish.

Any suggestions, and help will be appreciated, im heading to the stores tomorrow so i can cycle the sand and tank. Feel like the fishes are cramped in their current tank.

 

[toddnbecka]

Pool filter sand is the best option for a light-colored substrate, or black diamond blasting grit if you want a black substrate. Larger grain size is better, pool filter sand is sifted and graded for a uniform particle size. Unlike playsand it doesn't compact tightly, so it's less likely to develop anaerobic areas. Larger particles are also easier to siphon w/out sucking out the sand along with the water when you do partial water changes.