New Aquarium sand substrate prep?

[Chuck H.]

I'm going to go with a 50lb bag of play sand for the substrate in my 36 bowfront. Besides a thorough rinsing, is there anything else I need to do to prep this substrate for some low light plants? Thanks!

 

[Nakinata]

Let me know how it goes, I'm thinking about going from gravel to sand. Only thing I'm worried about is whether my rotala would take root in the sand

 

[Mgamer20o0]

it will root fine in the sand. you can add some root tabs if you wanted or look into mts (mineralized topsoil).

 

[TL1000RSquid]

Just wash it real thoroughly. play sand can be super dirty, you can rinse it several times and will still be cloudy when water is added.

 

[jpappy789]

Rinse and rise and rinse some more. That's about all....

 

[ROYWS3]

doesn't anyone use Laterite anymore?

http://www.shopzilla.com/fish-supplies/aquarium+laterite/31000400/products

 

[jpappy789]

I'd rather get about 40-50# of PFS for 12 bucks...and for low light plants they don't need much else.

 

[Dburgess1231]

get 20-40 black blasting sand. it is awesome! check out my tank in my sig

 

[coach_z]

Rinse and rise and rinse some more. That's about all....

^^and then rinse again^^

I'd rather get about 40-50# of PFS for 12 bucks...and for low light plants they don't need much else.

^^also does not need as much rinsing^^

 

[Kurious]

Sorry to sound ignorant, but what is PFS? I want to do an all moss tank so easy rinsing sounds good to me coach_z!