are there any dangerous sands

latazyo

Grisled
Sep 17, 2002
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are there any dangerous sands that would kill the fish if used as substrate

sand in quesion is silica sandblasting sand
 
Sand is a very good substrate. I have sand in my 20 Gallon and it is looks very good and it is easy to clean. You will have to wash the sand thoroughly. Get a pillowcase and put the sand in it and run the sand under hot water. This will clean your sand and make it safe to use in your aquarium. Good Luck! :)
 
that particular sand if fine.

all sands have the potential to create anaerobic spots, an area of sand that has no oxygen and can leech really bad toxins to your tank, if it isn't regularly stirred up. so I wouldn't go really deep with your sand bed and stir it up during your partial water changes to prevent it. too bad freshwater doesn't have the ammount of "critters" that salt water does, they would stir the bed for you. malaysiam trumpet snails are said to be good to keep the sand bed stirred as are live, rooted plants but stir it just in case.

EDIT: typos... hukt awn fawnix werkt fur mee!
 
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well, the reason I say this is because:

1: in my 20g brackish tank, I have pool filter sand, so I know the behnefts of sand, etc

2: yesterday I put my pair of firemouths in the 75g with the silica sandblasting sand and they immediately sunk to the bottom as if they were sick...then I watched one of them closer and it started to turn on it's side like it was laying down, so I immediately rescued them and put them in a different tank where they are doing fine now

I was just wondering if it is possible for the sand to poison them or something

I know nothing of my water parameters, I am getting a test done today
 
alright, I will, the water is not cloudy at all, but I think I'll stir up the sand again and change out some water
 
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