sand size?

[caesar2]

I think I'm worrying to much over the size of sand I'm gonna put in my tank. I first bought the black sand blasting slag to use. Then I read it was to course or sharp for bottm feaders. So then I bought some sand that was in a tube, used for weight in the back of your vehicle. When I opened this it seems like have of this real fine and I'm wooried it will compact to much. I plan on putting peat moss and Laterite down first. I already bought the moss & laterite. Am I thinking to much? Also, if I did go with something else like Eco, ADA or Flourite, could I still use the peat & laterite on the bottom or would that be over kill. I plan on doing DIY CO2 and my Ph is over 8.0. I have just about everything to get going, but I can't make up my mine about the substrate.

[Mahorela]

I have a Flourite, Gravel and playsand substrate. So far, my Ozelot Sword is out of control and grows like crazy.

Snails, snails, snails. They root around in your substrate and help prevent compacting :)

[Rex Grigg]

See the substrate section of my Guide. I have a picture there of sand that is about the finest you would want to use in a planted tank.

And even if you use Flourite or Eco-Complete you should still use the moss. The laterite is not needed but could be used.

[echoofformless]

I think some of you already know what I'm about recommend. Ill save myself the trouble:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98565

[Mgamer20o0]

I think some of you already know what I'm about recommend. Ill save myself the trouble:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98565

Quikrete Medium Sand! ?

[echoofformless]

Quikrete Medium Sand! ?

Ya think? :dance2:

[Mgamer20o0]

Ya think? :dance2:

i try not to.

[Rex Grigg]

That Quekrete sand must be a NE product because they don't sell it at the BORG here in the PNW.

That's one of the reasons I don't use brand names with sand. Sand is a commodity product and most of the time comes from local sources. They might use the same bag but the sand can be way different. Nobody ships sand any farther than they have too. Unless it's something like the playsand you get at a large national toy store for a much more expensive price.

[echoofformless]

That's unfortunate if it's entirely local. But the quikrete website does have it listed, and they're a national company - so I would think there's a good possibility it can be found across the continent.

[Plecosterone]

I have use brick sand and block sand in my tanks. The only thing is that you have to wash them more but for about $350.00 for a tandem dump truck full, the price is right...lol

[Rex Grigg]

Like I said. They ship the bags (which are cheap to ship) to a local sand and gravel operation and fill the bags. So the size and type of sand will vary. Here in the PNW almost all the sand you see at the BORG is a very fine gray sand that is about the grain size of powdered sugar.

[Ketso]

I bought the QuickCrete sand here in Ohio. It's light tan in color and fairly fine. Not as fine as "play" sand, but still pretty fine.

[loaches r cool]

I may have to check out this quikrete medium sand to see if its the same here, trying to setup my goldfish/dojo loach tank for as cheap as possible and want sand, looks like that fits the bill nicely.

[caesar2]

Thanks for the replies. I have some quickcrete sand that comes in a tube for traction. I tried washing it with the paint strainer that fits a five gallon bucket. Alot of the sand passes threw. With this sand there are alot of different size grains. If I keep washing the small stuff out, I think that should leave me with the right size. Any way I'm tired of thinking about it.