Is this sand ok for my tank...

I'm using playsand from Lowes (I forget the brand) in my 29 gallon planted tank and it's working great.

Just make sure you rinse the hell out if it before you put it in. Also give it a day to settle too, it will cloud up a bit when you first put it in.

That link is failing for me. I would wait for the experts here but from what I have heard I think the playsand sold at the home places is ok. Please don't take my word for it though. I really have not had first hand experience with it yet.

EDIT: The link is coming up with an extra http//. Editing the link works.

how does the filter work with sand...
please excuse me... Newbie here..
Please try to explain as if you are talking to a 2 year old

kamla said:

how does the filter work with sand...
please excuse me... Newbie here..
Please try to explain as if you are talking to a 2 year old

Click to expand...

Depends on the type. You do not use an undergravel filter with sand. That is what I was told. I guess a regular filter works normally. Just have to amke sure the intake doesn't get too close to the bottom.

If you are using a HOB (Hang on back) filter just out a pre-filter over the intake (where the filter takes in water). A pre-filter is a sponge with a hole you cut. In the hole you out the filter intake.

When cleaning the sand you hover the gravel cleaner over the sand so only the fish "stuff" gets sucked up.

I just went through the same problem as you. I wanted sand in my tank and mainly so it could serve as a live sand bed to help with the nitrogen cycle for my new FOWLR SW tank. After much reading and a lot of opinions, it turned out that common play sand from Home Depot or Lowes is a silica based sand and is not nearly as good for this purpose as an aragonite based sand. The commonly used aragonite sands are Southdown and Old Castle but these prove to be very hard to find, in certain places. I then found out that Old Castle is sold at Wal Mart but has been repackaged and renamed under the name of 'Garden Basics' Play Sand which is exactly the same aragonite as Soutdown and Old Castle and is only $2.47 for a 50lb bag. The LFS sells, essentially, the same exact sand from Caribean Sea for about $25-$30 for a 40lb bag!!

mjn5647 said:

Ok, I've running all over trying to find sand for my tank. I went to both Home Depot and Lowes. All i could find was Quickrete play sand. http://www.quikrete.com/catalog/PlaySand.html
Is that stuff ok for my tank? Thanks

Click to expand...

I have never used an under gravel filter but have read that sand is not a good idea with a UGF. As far as using sand with a canister or hang on filter, just keep the filter intake an inch or more above the sand and no problem.

I use aragonite based sand in all my FW tanks and will in my new SW tank.

kamla said:

how does the filter work with sand...
please excuse me... Newbie here..
Please try to explain as if you are talking to a 2 year old

Click to expand...

should be ok. some just causes more algae growth. try to feel some of the stuff that spilled from other bags to see how abrasive the sand is.

Thanks guys.. very helpful.. man i am gald i found this forums.. i am staring a 40 or 55 gl tank soon
just getting my research done..