Sand questions

[TML29]

I've been trying to get sand for my 120g and I need your help. First off, I have been to Lowes, Home Depot and Westlake Hardware but they only stock roughly 2-3 types of playsand and some of them contain silica which from my research is not safe for fish. If you have any experience with sand, perhaps you could help me find something that is:
- not too fine.
- not toxic or treated.
- and possibly black (since I'm not quite a fan of the brown color).


any recommendations?

 

[rwilliams254]

I've heard that pool filter sand is better for the fish, looks better in the tank, and I think cheaper too.

 

[Plecosterone]

I have play sand in my tank but find it is just a little too fine. I would use the pool filter sand although you don't have much choice in color.

 

[MikenDanielle]

I used just the regular play sand in my 77 and love it, especially when the fish make a quick movement around the bottom of the tank and they stir it up, looks super neat and settles back down within 5 seconds.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

your limited if your doing with diy sand. try a pool supply store.

 

[XR250rdr]

I got black sand from Petsmart, but it was on the expensive side.

 

[TML29]

I went to this one LFS and they recommended using crushed coral, which seems like an irrational thing for me to do (too expensive and might not be suitable for FW). I probably will go to Petsmart and see how expensive their black sand is. After all I do like the look of it... If that does not work out, I'll look into pool filtered sand a bit more or get playsand. The picture MikenDanielle included here doesn't look too bad. However, how fine is too fine for a Rena XP3?

 

[Plecosterone]

As long as the intake tube is up hight enough (at least 3") you should have no problem. When you first put sand in it will be very cloudy. Turn the filter off to let the find stuff settle. When the filter is on it only makes matters worse by constantly moving the water and the fine particles can damage the impeller. If you really want the filter on, make sure the intake is covered with a sponge or some fine material.

 

[Water>_<Dragon]

also you might want to clean the sand by using a 5 gallon bucket, hose, garbage bag and a spray nozzle. fill the bucket to about 2 gallons of sand now spray it and make sure the hose is on jet. after about 5 minutes of spraying pour out the dirty water (make sure not to dump the sand). Now put the clean sand in the garbage bag and repeat the procedure until you have your desired amount of sand.

Hope this was helpful.

 

[TML29]

Thanks for helping guys. I really want to get the tank set up for my oscars. Feel bad seeing them in the 55g and the 125g is just sitting there.