What kind of sand can I use?

[Mrs. Burns]

I've decided to give my banjo catfish some sand to burrow in. I was wondering what kind of sand to use. My friend brought me some sand from a beach in Clearwater, Florida, but I know it has salt in it and it's probably not safe for him, but I like the look of it. Any suggestions appreciated.:)

[Mgamer20o0]

i would go with play sand or pool sand. i got my sand from home depot for about $5 for 50 pounds. it might have been less.

[Mrs. Burns]

Thanks. Have you ever heard of silica sand? And also, can you tell me how to go about adding it? Should I just clear the corner where I want the sand and let most of the water out before adding the sand to keep it from spreading as much? Or is there an easier way?

[jedoubblese]

best way to add your sand is to just empty the tank but if you dont want to do that place it in some panty hose and drop it in slowly AFTER you rinse it in a bucket or under running water to remove dust and debri

[RiVerfishgirl]

Why not just buy pool filter sand, you don't have to wash it.
Play sand has TONS of dust in it and can get stirred up enough to damage the impellars on your filters.

Most sand is silica btw.

[Rallysman]

Why not just buy pool filter sand, you don't have to wash it.
Play sand has TONS of dust in it and can get stirred up enough to damage the impellars on your filters.

Most sand is silica btw.

I agree. You can find some quartz pool filter sand though.

[jessicar613]

Play sand is the cheapest, but needs a lot of rinsing. Pool filter sand, still less than $10 for 50 lbs.

[Yankee Dog]

A couple of suggestions.

You cant just put the sand in a corner and expect it to stay. The sand and your gravel (I assume its gravel) will soon migrate together. If you want to keep a pure sand area I suggest you put down some sort of container or wall off a corner with a piece of plexiglass.

To put the sand down without draining the water, try using a piece of PVC. Extend the PVC down through the water to where you want the sand. Slowly pour in from the top. You will still get some cloud but this should keep things to a minimum. Do a water change when you are finished.

Yankee Dog

[hondaman]

oops... ill put a new post.

[RiVerfishgirl]

I agree. You can find some quartz pool filter sand though.

Quartz is a type of silica.

[YoFishboy]

Another sand that is good to work with is sand blasting sand (primarily a silica sand)...it comes in a variety of grain sizes and is as "clean" as play sand, given EPA requirements. Really good for cichlids like many tanganyikans, aulonocara, etc. Some say it is too sharp, but I have yet to see any problems related to its use, such as cutting up mouths or irritating gills. Many other breeders I know use it as well.

[Mrs. Burns]

Well, I have some swimming pool sand because I have one. So that'll work. And I already thought about the sand and gravel mixing. I have a small, rectangular lid that I was going to use. Kinda like a little pool of sand. I think I could make it look neat with some bigger rocks around it. I could use the hose from my vacuum maybe for the sand. Another question, how do you rinse the sand? I don't think I have a strainer that's small enough. My husband would get mad if I used his coffee strainer!!!