Play sand?

I bought pool filter sand from Home depot and it looked like a finer grade of play sand. I was surprised that it had alot of particles of different sizes and colors in it. It was definately pool filter sand, came in a long tube. It was an interesting substrate, though.
I was by Ace Hardware yesterday and they had pool filter sand. From what I saw from some broken bag it was beautiful, very even, no big particles. Wish I had that but just redid mine with eco complete.
 
stingray4540 said:
It's intent is to be used in masonry, that's why you got it in the masonry section. :duh:
Click to expand...


Well of course! hehe But that doesn't mean I know exactly what purpose it serves in masonry itself.


As for my tank with this sand:




It's a five gallon betta tank. (though some neons are in this picture, as they lived here while I was setting up my Amazon blackwater.) That sand, some selected rocks to match the sand, a piece of driftwood, cabomba, anacharis, water sprite, corkscrew vals and rotala indica. All are doing quite well under two mini PC 10 watt bulbs.

The sand by itself:

As you can see, there is no clay and no powder. Nothing is smaller than the grains you see...and it's just pure silica. I don't feel nervous putting plants in it at all, since there would be a decent amount of water circulation. It's really almost like very fine gravel. Five dollars for fifty pounds.


I plan to use this same sand for my Malawi tank this week. I'll be mixing it with cichlid sand and hoping it looks nice.
 
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Wow i like the color, thanks for the pics il make shure to grab a bag. 50pounds?! i might as well convert my 30gal to sand! Still nervious about cleaning it tho... =[

How do you feel about the sand? Not much of a hassle?

Thanks
-Q
 
That's funny you say that sillyputty because every time or any one of to home depot I go to & ask where can I find some pool filter sand they look like they dont know what the heck im talking about. In what dept.did you find it in? was it with all the rest of the sand because I did'nt see it. And is pool filter sand the same as silica sand?
 
My Home Depot didn't carry it. You may have an easier time in CA since it's warmer out.

To test if it is silica based, you just have to drizzle some vinegar into the sand. If it dissolves/fizzes, it is NOT silica. I would just do a simple check before I added it to the tank because you never now with some of these companies!

Sand is no hassle as long as you stir it up once in a while. Because PFS is a little larger grained (with no small particles) than some play sands, it won't compact as easily or fully. Just a stir to circulate oxygen now and then is all it really takes.
 
Is the trouble to get the pool filter sand in a new england - or any other place that is currently in winter -worth the work you saved washing play sand? I have an unused stock of play sand from my torts, and want to get rid of the gravel in my 5g and test sandy fish keeping for my future plans.

how many times/ how much time do you take to rinse it well?
 
I didn't rinse it at all. Not once. And I could have drank the tank water immediately after. It's beautiful stuff. So, yah, for me it was totally worth it. In retrospect, I realize I like the look of this sand much more than playsand. It's more natural with the subtle gradation of colors:)
 
I wish that was true leopardess. I have a hard time findind PFS I dont know where to look but thank for the info.
 
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