is it neccesary to wash sand before putting it in tank.Does anyone have any preference to adding sand first or water?
playsand?
- Thread starter ClownieandBilly
- Start date
I do not wash sand. You would be washing away some of what you want. I put the Base rock in first. Then I pour the sand in around the rock. This gives a better foundation if you end up with an animal that digs. I then pile some rock on that and pour the water slowly on the rocks.
Ray
Ray
Are we talking about the same dirty home depot sand?
...because to use it in FW tanks I had to wash it for HOURS just to get it to be clear.
....please explain!
...because to use it in FW tanks I had to wash it for HOURS just to get it to be clear.
....please explain!
Ray,surely if i put base rock in first and a 6" dsb up to it,eventually the sand will be pushed into the rocks.If this was the case then how high should i locate my reef flush bar initially?Above the base rocks?
Zeb,
"Are we talking about the same dirty home depot sand?
...because to use it in FW tanks I had to wash it for HOURS just to get it to be clear.
....please explain! "
Yep that's it. I never wash it. I use it in FW planted tanks and SW tanks. Your are just washing away good stuff you paid for. Your plants will like what you've been washing away.
Ray
"Are we talking about the same dirty home depot sand?
...because to use it in FW tanks I had to wash it for HOURS just to get it to be clear.
....please explain! "
Yep that's it. I never wash it. I use it in FW planted tanks and SW tanks. Your are just washing away good stuff you paid for. Your plants will like what you've been washing away.
Ray
ClownieandBilly
I set the base rock on the bare bottom of the tank. I then pour the sand in, on and around the base rocks to the depth I want. I use 3-4 inches. None of the studies done has shown 6 inches to be a majic number. It was pulled out of thin air by someone and just keeps getting passed around. Locate the reef flush bar at about 5 to 7 inches off the bottom. I understand you reef flush bar is a water return. Is that correct?
Ray
I set the base rock on the bare bottom of the tank. I then pour the sand in, on and around the base rocks to the depth I want. I use 3-4 inches. None of the studies done has shown 6 inches to be a majic number. It was pulled out of thin air by someone and just keeps getting passed around. Locate the reef flush bar at about 5 to 7 inches off the bottom. I understand you reef flush bar is a water return. Is that correct?
Ray
so you guys are saying I don't have to pay $37 for 20 lbs. of live sand, I could just buy it from home depot? (and it will be safe for my sw aquarium without cleaing)
Originally posted by always learning
so you guys are saying I don't have to pay $37 for 20 lbs. of live sand, I could just buy it from home depot? (and it will be safe for my sw aquarium without cleaing)
That is correct. It's been done by hundreds of hobbyist so far. Not one problem I know of that does not also occur with the expensive stuff. Just buy the Play sand.
Ray
No more than any other sand. If silica sand caused a problem; useing a glass tank would too.
Hundreds of people have used silica sand with great success.
Ray