Nepheline Syenite

[zave2340]

Okay, you most likely dont know what this is.... but here it goes

Nepheline Syenite - Pool Filter Sand
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepheline_syenite

When you are assembleing you tank for the first time. Most people go out to the store and buy gravel. Now we all know that gravel from the store is not cheap. BUT, from what i have found, Nepheline Syenite is a better alternative.

This is a sand like substance, looks almost pure white, and it acts just like sand. The cost is very inexpersive. I got a 50lb bag of it for 10 dollers!

Anyway, i was wondering if anyone else was useing this in there tank besides me. I find it is workign great. I am just starting to put plants in my tank and so far from what i ahve seen the plants love it and they even hold on well. We all know that to have a planted tank you need more then your typical 1lb of substrate per gallon. Well, i have aobut 1.5lb of substrate and it seems to work great.


Anyone else use this on the bottom of there tanks? And if you happen know anyreason why i shoudl NOT be useing it, i would love to hear it. I have had a Albino Red Tail shark that has surrvided 1600KM of moveing and he has been in there ever since the sand went in last augest.

 

[Leopardess]

Lots of people use pool filter sand. In fact there is another thread about it right now here on the boards somewhere. 10$ is a little pricey though. I got 50 lbs for about $5. It's great stuff and doesn't need to be rinse unlike other sands.

I do not plant anything in it as it is inert and I'd rather use a nutrient rich substrate, but it works fine for unplanted areas.

Also, many PFSs are primarly silicon dioxide, unlike aragonite based sands which can alter your water params.