Sand In Freshwater

[JakeG27]

I wanted to start putting sand in my freshwater tank. The LFS told me use basic playbox sand, washed thoroughly. Is this a good idea? I was wondering if their were any other options, preferably somehting that would stay white, or have some sort of color that is save for my arrowhead pufferfish.

 

[beviking]

Play sand works. You can also check out pool filter sand (as in swimming pool).

 

[Mike-L]

yeah, the pool filter sand stays white and isn't much more than the play sand

 

[misterthews]

yeah pool filter sand is whiter than play sand. You can use 3m colorquartz if you can find it. it is used for pools and comes in many different colors. Just make sure you rise any type of sand you buy throughly before you put it in your tank.

 

[IceH2O]

Why do you want your sand to be white? I bet you end up regretting it after awhile.

From what I understand:

white sand washes out the color of fish.

It shows all the trash.

Its not the natural color of the fishes enviroment.

After realizing this and researching other fish forums I've come across another sand. Its smaller than gravel but a little bigger than playsand. Its a brownish color and can be gravel vacuumed. Its called Quikrete Commercial Brand Medium Sand.

Scroll down and you'll see the size comparison.

http://aquamaniacs.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21364&start=0

 

[JakeG27]

Hey thanks alot. I wanted the white because i thought id be better off knowiing when the tank was getting dirty. I appreciate all you inputs, i ended up just using gravel. I have an arrowhead puffer, and they like to borrow. If i set up a new tank i am definatley going to go with that Quikrete Commercial Brand Medium Sand. You have any idea where to get it. I know quikrete makes concrete mixes, i use it to lay foundations,but never saw it with that sand type....is that safe?

 

[deeplove]

I'm using sand and it looks great. Especially under higher temp bulbs. It does require a bit of cleaning but it's not that bad. I use the gravel cleaner at an angle and the sand falls back off. So it's not that hard. It might change colors a bit from algae and from the leftovers or what not, but like I said, if you don't mind cleaning it then it shouldn't be a problem.

Playsand is more of a natural color than the pool filter sand though.