yea thats what i am thinking my lfs has alot of stuff but they lack in the substrate and lighting department so i think i will try a local pool store maybe.... but now i think of it i had a buddy with a 60g tank with sand not sure what kind maybe playsand but everything i walked by it i got a whiff of dirty socks or old gym clothes lol!!
where do you get sand for substrate for aquarium
- Thread starter cekmgreen
- Start date
I have used beach sand from lake michigan for like 5 tanks now. I wash it a little because it has some sticks in it. But I make sure to use cool water. I feel like it reduces the time it takes for my tanks to cycle. But either way even if you feel the need to cook it in the oven, it seems like less work that washing the play sand.
Dont get play sand. I have gone the play sand route. I didnt like it. I washed a 50lb bag(the whole rinse and repeat) for a few hours. Then its weeks of waiting for everything to settle down. Then its weeks of waiting when you disturb it to put plants in. I have always heard pool sand is the way to go but never experienced it. I can say that I would not suggest someone try play sand as a substrate. To each his own though.
ok well sounds like the pool sand is going to be it.... but how thick is safe or is there a limit i heard of pockets what if every couple weeks you punch around in it with your fingers or somthing or is tht really a problem. i want 3inches if thats to much let me know please before i mess somthing up!!
Pool filter sand for sure, playsand is usually filthy i'd hate to have to wash enough for a 150g.
Yes gas pockets can form in the sand, IMO the easiest way to deal with that is with malaysian trumpet snails they'll burrow into the substrate.
Yes gas pockets can form in the sand, IMO the easiest way to deal with that is with malaysian trumpet snails they'll burrow into the substrate.
+1 on that. But I cleaned my play sand by shoving the hose full blast into the 5 gal bucket and letting it run. Its okay if it overflows. But every now and then just stir it around. Probably every minute. If there is a lot of dirt/dust/w.e. floating around just dump the water and repeat. When you want to clean the sand, clean a little at a time. Maybe half a bag at a time.
I use pool filter sand too, I got 3 bags for my 125 and I've loved it. It looks great, the fish love it, and it cost me 15 bucks to fill the tank with it.
