Prices of Sand? How much for two 10 gallon tanks?

[lateinningmagic]

Hey, I have two 10 gallon tanks with ugly blue gravel right now. The stock are Guppies in one tank, and a Betta and two ADFs in the other. I am considering buying sand to replace the ugly gravel. I was at one of my LFS and they had a 20lb bag of Eco complete for $30 or $35. They also had marine sand that says its safe for freshwater, but only in 5lb quantities. I asked the guy how much they were and he said "probably" $6. Ergh, shouldn't you know?

Anyway, I tried another LFS (a chain store) and they had no sand, only gravel.

I haven't looked for it specifically, but I'm sure my favorite LFS will have it. The only thing is, that a lot of their equipment is overpriced. I'm fine paying a little extra for their fish, but equipment has too much of a markup.

What would be a fair price? I think 20lbs would be good for the two tanks? Maybe 25lb to be sure?

Also, is this aquarium safe?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100577543

if so, is it usually available in different colors? I really want black.

 

[paperdragon]

Pool filter sand is better. Play sand is just a little to fine-grained for me. I don't know much about the LFS sands though.

 

[NYCguppydude]

From my experience I've bought 3 5 lb. bags of Marine sand(Freshwater safe) to fill 2 tens and then had to go out and buy more cause I didn't get the depth I wanted. So I bought the 25 lb. bag the next time around. The 5 lb. bags were $5.00 including tax. The 25 lb. bag was $12.00 including tax. Big difference in price when you buy in bulk. These items were bought in a chain store. Hope this helps somewhat.

 

[lateinningmagic]

From my experience I've bought 3 5 lb. bags of Marine sand(Freshwater safe) to fill 2 tens and then had to go out and buy more cause I didn't get the depth I wanted. So I bought the 25 lb. bag the next time around. The 5 lb. bags were $5.00 including tax. The 25 lb. bag was $12.00 including tax. Big difference in price when you buy in bulk. These items were bought in a chain store. Hope this helps somewhat.

I'm in Queens, NY, what chain store was this?

 

[ibr3ak]

Pool filter sand is great for fish tanks and it's cheaper than lfs substrates. I recently got a 50 pound bag for $13.

You'll need around 15 pounds of sand for a 2" sand bed in a single 10 gal tank (just as an example).

 

[DoN_WoN]

i got pool filter sand from home depot, 50 pound bag for 4$!!! its aquarium safe too

 

[lateinningmagic]

Thanks for the info. Will check my local hardware store, otherwise might need to go to Home Depot.

 

[smartdog126]

i got pool filter sand from home depot, 50 pound bag for 4$!!! its aquarium safe too

its my sand thank you but yea its play sand !!!!!! stop saying pool filter hahaha but yea pool filter i like it its not fertilized tho so your best bet in that is maybe floating plants or something like a co2 or something like that.

 

[lateinningmagic]

Just got back from the hardware store. I was in the middle of typing that I would be going to the hardware store when my dad grabbed his keys and told me to hurry up. lol.

I went with the Pool Filter Sand. 50lbs for $10. Probably not as cheap as Home Depot, but w/e. Support those local merchants. The guy thought I needed the sand to clean up a pool filter because of all the rain we've been having. I don't have a pool, lol.

 

[Twistersmom]

When I went to the local pool store to pick up some sand, I asked if it was all the same color. LOL.
I really got a crazy look! Mabe all pool sand is the same color, Don't know.