Play sand, CaribSea, or pool filter sand?

[rufioman]

I use sifted play sand. It has the most natural look.

 

[axelrod12]

As stated already I've never seen play sand or PFS in black. Also I've personally never used PFS. I can only find it locally in a brighter white color that I'm not really a fan of. I use play sand that I get from Home Depot, it has what in my opinion is a natural tannish color to it. Yes it requires some rinsing as does just about any substrate. I don't feel like it's an extreme amount of rinsing though. And I've also noticed losing some quantity to the rinsing but again nothing extreme. So my vote, play sand.


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[LMOUTHBASS]

If Cories are some of your main inhabitants I'd go with Pool Filter Sand. It'll be softer on their barbels since its very fine. I'm making this same switch soon too.

 

[Byron Amazonas]

You want to avoid any white sand. This is completely un-natural; no tropical freshwater fish live over white substrates, it would stress them. This is another reason I choose play sand. And my corys, some 40+ of wild caught fish, are very happy.

 

[wesleydnunder]

You want to avoid any white sand. This is completely un-natural; no tropical freshwater fish live over white substrates, it would stress them. This is another reason I choose play sand. And my corys, some 40+ of wild caught fish, are very happy.

Some SA rivers and creeks have white sand. See Bleher's Discus Vol. 1

Mark

 

[Byron Amazonas]

Some SA rivers and creeks have white sand. See Bleher's Discus Vol. 1

Mark

I would seriously question if any sand is actually white, as is the white pool filter sand. Photos with differing lighting can not always be taken as accurately dcepicting colour. The sands in most of the Amazon basin is pretty close to the Quikrete Play Sand, a mix of black/tan/brown/white. Given the source of the sands in the basin, white would seem impossible.

The other thing that must be remembered is that fish do not normally live in open water in sunlight. The forest canopy prevents direct sunlight from reaching the watercourses--there are obviously exceptions, portions of the Rio Guapore for instance--but not surprisingly fish do not inhabit these open areas as they are too exposed. The dorsal colour on all fish is dark, so that when viewed from above by a predator they will blend into the substrate which obviously cannot be white for this strategy to be successful.

Then there is the fact that most streams and creeks are so littered with sunken branches, roots and leaves that the actual substrate is never seen. In many cases it is mud. The basic tan colouration on so many species of Corydoras means the fish if motionless canot be seen from above. The black dorsio-lateral stripe is there to blend in with the branches on the sand. Even the orange post-orbital fleck on spcies like Corydoras adolphoi, C. duplicareus, etc, suggests leaves when one view the fish in the stream. Since changing over to play sand I have been aware how well these species, including C. panda, C. metae, and the spotted ones blend in. I am not sure I would have found this believable had I not witnessed it directly.

Byron.

 

[ktrom13]

Id suggest pool filter sand. I havent seen it in black though, sorry. Caribsea has a nice black sand. I felt like the poo stuck out more with bpack sand though. Natural colored sand ( brownish colors) help hide the the poo but you can still see it.

Black sand is really good for lighter/ brighter colored fish/ inverts. For example: a RCS tank with black sand will make the red more vibrant.

It all depends on what you want.

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[Mike A. Hunt]

I also suggest you that use the pool filter sand because it is much better then other type of sands. The sand grains are mostly white or light brown shade. But I think fishes like them because pool filter sand seems very friendly with fishes.

Hmmm great suggestions... glad to see so many active members.

 

[iboG]

I've used pool filter sand. I found it amazing and simple. Not a lot of wash needed and my yoyos really liked it. A tip for cheaper sand... go to a pool store or hot tub store and ask them if they have any broken open bags that they are unable to sell to customers. I got about 40 pounds from one bag for 10 bucks.

 

[discuspaul]

You want to avoid any white sand. This is completely un-natural; no tropical freshwater fish live over white substrates, it would stress them. This is another reason I choose play sand. And my corys, some 40+ of wild caught fish, are very happy.

Sorry, Byron, I have to disagree.
While white sand may seem unnatural to you, that's just your opinion.

Many hobbyists consider it quite natural-looking, and it certainly does NOT stress fish.
I've used white PFS in my discus tanks, and other tanks, for many years, and it's an excellent substrate for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that it heightens and brightens many fish's coloration.

http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/discuspaul/3RedSnakeSkins
http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h357/discuspaul/Anubias