How much sand?

[Mr.Midas]

I want to put the finer sand-like aquarium gravel in my 75 gallon tank but I don't know excactly how much I need. My tank dimensions are 48" x 18" and I'd like tp put at least an inch or more on the bottom. The bags I was looking at today were 10Kg each. Does anybody know how much it would take?

[ChrisK]

I would put at least 45-60 pounds

[petluvr]

There's a substrate calculator somwhere I will see if I can dig it up:)

[rocker92]

20 to 27 kg!!!

[petluvr]

Found it:)
http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

[jpappy789]

http://www.plantedtank.net/substratecalculator.html

I'd go 50 lbs. minimum, so probably 3 of the 10 Kg bags.

[Mr.Midas]

There's a substrate calculator somwhere I will see if I can dig it up:)

thanks, that'd be great.

Yeah, I was thinking I'd have to get at least 3 bags, which would put me in the 27Kg/60lbs range

[Mr.Midas]

thats gonna be a heavy chunk of change though, lol

Has anyone ever tried sifting and cleaning river sand?

[blue2fyre]

I just used play sand in my tanks. It's really cheap but you have to make sure to clean it VERY very well. A lot of people also use pool filter sand since it';s generally cleaner out of the bag.

[jpappy789]

:iagree:

I'd look around for those if you're looking for the best prices on sand.

[petluvr]

Don't try sand from the river to many yuckies to contend with. I use play sand it's cheap and works:)

[Mr.Midas]

ok, where can you get play sand? Just at stores like walmart? And is there any particular kind thats best?

[beeZer350]

Just use play sand or pool filter sand. Both are fairly cheap (less than $10US for 50lbs). You should be able to find play sand in Lowes/Home Depot. Pool filter sand can be found at a swimming pool place. Make sure you rinse the sand very well before adding it to your tank.

[Mr.Midas]

Thanks Bee :)

[Kuhlifan]

Pool filter sand is a little heavier, so it doesn't stir up so much. Makes it nice during cleaning and water change time.

About 1.5 inches of sand is optimal for most aquariums. If it's too deep, you run a bigger chance of poison gas building up.

[Mr.Midas]

sweet, less sand means less money ;) lol

[mea2112]

I just bought 2 50lb bags of silica sand from Menards for $4.16 per bag. It's already washed (states that on the bag) which is nice. I took some out and rinsed it in a bucket to make sure it's really clean and it was. Added water to the tank (75 gallon) and there was virtually no cloudiness at all. I put in one of the bags and half of the other and that gave me about an inch and a quarter all the way around.

[Mr.Midas]

I just bought 2 50lb bags of silica sand from Menards for $4.16 per bag. It's already washed (states that on the bag) which is nice. I took some out and rinsed it in a bucket to make sure it's really clean and it was. Added water to the tank (75 gallon) and there was virtually no cloudiness at all. I put in one of the bags and half of the other and that gave me about an inch and a quarter all the way around.

Thanks, I'll try to find some