What kind of sand for a 55g...?

T

tigerbarb88

AC Members
Mar 23, 2009
290
0
0
Phoenix, AZ
Hello everyone, with finals and papers being due, I havent had the time to tinker with my new 55g tank that my friend gave me.

But it has given me the time to think of my stocking options and decide on other things like driftwood, plants, subtrate, etc.

As far as substrate goes, I have been debating between gravel and sand. I realllly LOVE the look of a sand bottom. I think it looks very natural and cool :)

I went to Petsmart and another LFS and WOW, its very expensive. For small bags, its around $20/bag. Now, I have a 55g and Im aiming for around 1 to 1.5 inches of sand to cover the floor.

Any ideas on what kind of sand to buy and where from so that I can save some money?

Thanks everyone :)

PS: Pix of tanks with sandy bottoms would be appreciated as well. :D
 
I got a 50lb bag of pool filter sand at a pool supply store for like 10-15$. It's coarser than the play sand I have in another tank and is much easier to clean (because it's heavier and stays down better)

I didn't even rinse the pool filter sand. No cloudiness. (Did a few wc with stirring before adding fish, just to get rid of any random things I guess, but no clouding)

2-3 bags will probably work for you. I always buy a little on the extra side so I definitely don't run out. And can start an unexpected new tank haha
 
how hard is it to maintain play sand? as in, gravel vacs and what not..

My stocking thus far will include 11 tiger barbs... and maybe some bottom dwellers, not sure what they will be as of yet though.
 
I used play sand- would use pool filter sand next time due to not clouding the water if you don't spend an hour rinsing it! :)

Play sand does eventually clear- after a week mine was crystall clear.

If you do go the play sand route and want a colourfull option instead of the natural option- Walmart sells coloured Crayola sand that others have used.

(I went natural)
 
I love my pool sand. Will never go back to play sand (which is in my experience more expensive)

Oh and my play sand always gets all stirred up and annoying when I vacuum because it's so fine grrr
 
serissime said:
I got a 50lb bag of pool filter sand at a pool supply store for like 10-15$. It's coarser than the play sand I have in another tank and is much easier to clean (because it's heavier and stays down better)

I didn't even rinse the pool filter sand. No cloudiness. (Did a few wc with stirring before adding fish, just to get rid of any random things I guess, but no clouding)
Click to expand...

Nice! so its just called "pool filter" sand? and will a 50lb bag suffice for my 55g tank? im assuming yes.. just want to be sure.

Also, I have plants that will be going in.. javas, moss, crypts, and some anubias species (all of which will be low light plants.) Will my plants be able to survie living in sand??
 
I would buy 2 bags just in case.

I went to a pool supply store. It's all the have I'm pretty sure :)

I think crypts are root feeders so you might need to give them root tabs, no big deal. The pool sand should be coarse enough to keep them planted (my play sand would never be able to). If you have trouble, they have little metal sticks to use as weights at the LFS probably.

Java, anubias, and moss don't really plant in the substrate so you shouldn't have a problem there. :) They just need something simple like Excel for ferts
 
serissime said:
I love my pool sand. Will never go back to play sand (which is in my experience more expensive)

Oh and my play sand always gets all stirred up and annoying when I vacuum because it's so fine grrr
Click to expand...

Great idea, I will go this route next time, learn soemthing new here everyday!
 
serissime said:
I would buy 2 bags just in case.

I went to a pool supply store. It's all the have I'm pretty sure :)

I think crypts are root feeders so you might need to give them root tabs, no big deal. The pool sand should be coarse enough to keep them planted (my play sand would never be able to). If you have trouble, they have little metal sticks to use as weights at the LFS probably.

Java, anubias, and moss don't really plant in the substrate so you shouldn't have a problem there. :) They just need something simple like Excel for ferts
Click to expand...

Shweeeet :D man this tank is guna be awesome!

Any recommendations as to where I can get driftwood?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom