Suitable Freshwater Sand?

[Wisegy84]

Hi all,

I'm looking to order some sand to use for a 38G tank and I'm wondering if anyone knows if either of these would be suitable for a freshwater tank:

http://www.amazon.com/Filter-Sand-50-Lbs-White/dp/B000Q73GNA/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1234835985&sr=8-7

http://www.amazon.com/Arch-Chemical-61308-50LB-Filter/dp/B000BO585W/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1234835985&sr=8-3


Thanks very much in advance!

[Pepe]

I seem to recall people recommending pool filter sand to avoid heavy rinsing. I use play sand but, it has a lot of fine stuff in it.

pepe

[leeser28]

If that's you surfing the net, I can see why you want fish :)

But about the sand, I got a 50 pound back of play sand - for kids' sandboxes - from my local hardware store (would have been cheaper if I had gone to Home Depot but I was being lazy) for about $5. I'm not sure about pool filter sand though.

[blue2fyre]

I couldn't find pool filter sand so I got play sand for my tank and it works great, just needs a lot of cleaning.

[Wisegy84]

I'd thought about play sand, but I wanted to get something white.

[OldMan47]

Further down the page is an ad for red flint sand. It will take you here http://www.redflint.com/?gclid=CMGgp5XF4pgCFSUgDQodmTzaeA

I have used that in 2 different tanks and thought it worked quite well. I would not want to ship sand very far though, it is heavy. My LFS carries the red flint as a bulk substitute for the typical gravel that they also sell.

[belfastbabe]

xx--xx Hey xx--xx

-i converted to play sand 2 weeks ago
-it does indeed need alot of cleaning
-but its cheap!
-i removed all my fish and retained all my tank water in a plastic bin
-it all took about an hour n 1/2 to complete
-its worth it!!
-easy to clean and maintain
-if u give the sand a good clean,maybe fill a bucket n blast with a hose...
it pays off for non cloudy water issues!
-if your pouring the sand without removing fish... make sure u turn off all filters untill it settles

xxx---Hope it helps---xxx

p.s. play sand is usualy white?

[Wisegy84]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Does anyone have a link to a site where I could order such play sand? Or if anyone else does have any info on the sand I posted links to, that would be great.

Thanks again!

[belfastbabe]

xx--xx Hey xx--xx

i had a look at your links...

- mad in the head to spend xtra when you dont need to
- also looked for play sand to deliver witin the us..
- sand is heavy.... better to pop into a hardware store
-i got 20kg play sand for £2.39 aprx 4.80 usd
-lookin at 60bucks to buy & deliever play sand lol

xx--xx Go to the store lol xx--xx

[smoochxoxo]

I had done alot of research a couple years back. I ended up doing my 10 gallon with pool filter sand. Mystic white is your best bet. I went as far as contacting the manufacturer, they have or say they have installed mystic white in the bottoms of the Mystic Conn. Aquarium Whale exhibit. Play sand is fine but alot more rinsing, and other undesirable effects from it. Even pool sand has a down side. If you don't like the look of poo sitting on top of the tank floor ALLLL of the time I would suggst gravel. LOL I ended up getting a turkey baster for in between clean ups since it seems like as soon as I would get everything all cleaned up nice and neat the gourami would mess it right back. lol I ended up switching back to gravel this past week actually. I have had enough. I does make a tank look good but in my Opinion a BIG PITA.

gl

[Wisegy84]

Thanks for the suggestions. Is there a store where I might be able to find the pool filter sand at this time of the year? Also, when I was reading about the Mystic pool filter sand it says it is angular and not rounded. Would this cause a problem for any fish?

[stezatois]

pool filter sand is fine. Lots of members use it

[MichiganMan]

How is play sand for planted tanks? I have something like 200 lbs of playsand gathering dust in my garage and am considering using it instead of the "riverbed" tan/white/brown gravel I have for my tank.

[Wisegy84]

The pool filter sand I've been looking at says it is Silica sand. I thought I had read that silica was bad for fish? Also, would sand be a problem with Angels or Cories? They are likely the fish I will be getting for the tank.

Thanks again for all the help.

I'm actually thinking I might get play sand since I can get it locally and don't have to worry about shipping. But I'm still trying to figure it out.

[belfastbabe]

Yeah totally right about the fish poo... the white sand makes it more obvious! it is a down side BUTTTT it makes u wana pay more attention when your hoovering the bottom n clean right... the gravel just invests it all...

[belfastbabe]

<<< my angel dude loves the play sand :) didnt effect any of my fish
2 xsilver dollars
3x dalmation mollies
2x neons
1x cat fish (sucker)
1x albino african clawed frog
1x red clawed crab
and of course the angel...

[Wisegy84]

I think I'm going to go pick up this sand (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2041963&cp=&kw=play+sand&origkw=play+sand&sr=1). Does it look like it would be OK?

[Matt101905]

I bought 100lbs of white pool filter sand for $14.50 USD. I stoped at a pool and spa place but they didn't have the sand until spring. They said it was $11.?? for 50lbs. They sent me to a equipment rental shop and I bought "Sand blasting sand" its the exact same thing as pool filter sand. Maybe you should look for that. Its .5mm so it should be good. Good luck.

--Matt

[Wisegy84]

I'd read that sandblasting sand was not good to use because it generally has more than just sand in it, such as pieces of glass and other things.

[thebrandon]

From what I have read sandblasting sand should be ok. Pool filter sand seems to be the ideal choice. I actually just went and bought play sand today and so far I am liking the results. Sucks cleaning it, but the way it looks is awesome.

[smoochxoxo]

What ever sand or blasting you buy make sure it is screened, prewashed and kiln dried. Alot of play sands will say not suitable for aquarium use. This is because it has something in it (maybe an algeaside) to keep it from molding in the play box. I had read a while back on it and if I can find it I will post a link for you or just copy the text in.
Pool filter sand usually is the safest. The silica is nothing to worry about. If I remember correctly it is basically what the earth crust is made from (sand etc. so no matter what you use, play sand or pool sand or sand blasting sand it is Silica) The dust is what you don't want to inhale. So I don't think it will be a problem for fish.
I had a bigger issue with algae blooms though so not sure if that in combo with the water had anything to do with it.

Anyhow make sure you research whatever you use before doing it but really all of those options will have little to no impact on the fish. Unless it has a chem. in it then there is a problem.
gl

[Wisegy84]

Thanks for the info.

I think that just because of the time of year and the stores I have nearby I will be going with play sand. The sand here (http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2041963&cp=&kw=play+sand&origkw=play+sand&sr=1) says on the bag that it is screened, washed, and dried. So all I would need to do is give it a good rinse before putting it into the tank, right? The tank is currently empty as I moved a couple months ago and have not set it back up yet.

[smoochxoxo]

Yes rinse it in a bucket a little at a time that way you know you are getting all of the dust and smaller floating particles out. Place that in the tank once it is rinsed and then get a plate like a coffee plate or salad plate and lay that on top of the sand before you fill the tank. Pour the water on the plate as you fill the tank so you don't agitate the water as you add it. Then when the tank is half full you can either remove the plate and start planting and decorating or decorate around the plate and take it out when done filling. At any rate you want something to disburse the water going into the tank so it doesn't blast it around.

[inkyjenn]

i really like pool filter sand. so far, there have been NO issues with compaction and its cheap and easy to clean. it looks very natural and our fish love to dig in it and make pits and move it around. its heavy enough that when we clean and move the san around (stir it) it doesnt kick up so much that we fear for our filter impellers

[Wisegy84]

I think I'm going to go try to get the play sand from my link at my local store later today. Then comes the fun part...cleaning the sand. Wish me luck! I'll post pics once i get everything going!

[thebrandon]

Can't wait to see how it turns out!

[Matt101905]

I'd read that sandblasting sand was not good to use because it generally has more than just sand in it, such as pieces of glass and other things.

The guy at the store that I bought the sand from said that it was the exact same thing that the pool and spa used for pool filter sand, it just came in different packaging and was cheaper because of its use.

[Wisegy84]

If you haven't had any problems then I'm sure what you got is OK, but I do think they make a type of sandblasting sand that has those other little bits in it. As long as it's checked carefully it's all good.

[Matt101905]

If you haven't had any problems then I'm sure what you got is OK, but I do think they make a type of sandblasting sand that has those other little bits in it. As long as it's checked carefully it's all good.

Well I haven't put the sand in my tank yet but I will be putting it in this weekend. Wish me luck haha.

[Wisegy84]

Good luck. I hope everything works out. Post some pics when you're all done, I'd love to see it.

[Matt101905]

Good luck. I hope everything works out. Post some pics when you're all done, I'd love to see it.

Will do thanks...I bet people will be suprised buy the huge peiece of wood I have in my 55. :lol:

[spottea]

What ever sand or blasting you buy make sure it is screened, prewashed and kiln dried. Alot of play sands will say not suitable for aquarium use. This is because it has something in it (maybe an algeaside) to keep it from molding in the play box. I had read a while back on it and if I can find it I will post a link for you or just copy the text in.
Pool filter sand usually is the safest. The silica is nothing to worry about. If I remember correctly it is basically what the earth crust is made from (sand etc. so no matter what you use, play sand or pool sand or sand blasting sand it is Silica) The dust is what you don't want to inhale. So I don't think it will be a problem for fish.
I had a bigger issue with algae blooms though so not sure if that in combo with the water had anything to do with it.

Anyhow make sure you research whatever you use before doing it but really all of those options will have little to no impact on the fish. Unless it has a chem. in it then there is a problem.
gl

I want to switch to sand too, and the guys at the LFS sent me to a pool supply place. I bought 50lb filter sand, 30 grit for $11.50 and I think it will be OK. He said there are 3 sizes, but he only had the 30, so I got that as I need to get the sand washed and in the tank soon. (getting a larger tank!) I appreciate the sand thread already answering the questions I was about to ask. great!
Sand for aquariums is hard to find around here, except for the marine kind, and I didn't really want the giant sack of playsand, even though it's cheaper. Last time I tried a little of it, and it took me ages to get it clean.

[Wisegy84]

Cleaning the play sand took a bit, but it wasn't too bad. I only had to fill my bucket up about half way two times. But I did rinse the sand several times, more than I kept count of, anyway. I used the plate method to fill the tank with water and it worked perfectly. No cloudiness. The water is crystal clear. Here are a couple pics:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Wisegy84/Fish%20Tank/IMG_0863.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/Wisegy84/Fish%20Tank/IMG_0864.jpg

[thebrandon]

looks great!