Substrate

[Chesh]

I got that crushed shell subsrate and i think i want sand. As for live stock and health of the aquarium what is the best? Thanks guys. Im thinking sand looks and is better.

[wolfiewill]

Salt or fresh water tank?

[transporter8367]

Canadian tire sells 20lbs of white pool filter sand for 11.99

[ottguy]

Mermaid pool and the other one on merivale sell 50lbs of pool filter sand for $5.99.

[Sharbuckle]

Do not use any pool filter sand or any of that stuff. Only use aragonite, crushed coral, or live sand. Personally I prefer aragonite. Something with a medium grain size.

[Sharbuckle]

Also, if you plan on keeping sand sifting fish and inverts. Smaller grain size is best.

[ottguy]

For freshwater, pool filter sand is great. I have 10 tanks set-up with it. It grows live plants and I have bred thousands of freshwater shrimp in it.

[Sharbuckle]

Do Not Use Pool Filter Sand For A Saltwater Aquarium.

[Sharbuckle]

I hate to be the one to say this but you won't get much advice for saltwater on here. Go check out The Reefers of Ottawa/Gatineau on facebook. If anybody disagrees with me, you're wrong.

[Darth]

I assume he means saltwater since this the saltwater forum. Pool sand is fine for fresh too many silicates for saltwater.

[Al]

I leave the salt guys to speaking about the appropriateness of pool filter sand for a SW tank. Some good points made, however.
For freshwater, PFS works fine with a few caveats. One - if your keeping soft bellied fish/bottom dwellers/catfish and sifters, a finer sand grain is desirable. Second, I have used PFS for working tanks (breeding, etc ) but wouldn't use it in a show tank - for me, the coloring is un-natural for many of the freshwater biotopes I try and replicate. The whitish/off-white-greyish doesn't work for me in a show-tank setup and I'd rather take the hit once and get my aquascaping right.
I've tried playsand , as well - PITA - lots of clay and fine particulate in the stuff I found at either HD or Lowe's and a killer on filters, unless your using air and sponges, then have at it.
Each person has their own likes/dislikes. Some people like blue gravel and pirate ships, if that's what you like, that's all that counts.
The nicest stuff I have used recently is Carib Sea Sunset Gold, a nice fine sand that really looks terrific/natural with rock and woodwork alike - but what a budget buster !!

[Chesh]

Ya, the substrate i was refering to is for a salt water tank. I do plan and like the look of bottom dwellers plus they add the benefit of being cleaners. I just dont see the crushed shell stuff being any good and wanter opinions. Now is the time to change the substrate as i am cycling my tank. Thx Char... Ill check it out!!! Sorry for being a noob but there will be a lot of questions!

[Sharbuckle]

Nothing wrong with being a noob!! It's the most exciting time. If you want bottom dwellers I would suggest getting some caribsea fiji pink sand. You will have to monitor and tweak your flow so you don't get a sandstorm from such a fine sand however.

[Chesh]

I posted a pic on ottawa/gatineau reefers of my substrate. I find the discussion and responses better here tho!

[Sharbuckle]

Trust me you'll get better responses. A few different reefing groups . I use TheREEFERS Ottawa/Gatineau

[Chesh]

Ok cool, that one has 361 members vs the 74 on the other one. Why so many? Cant we all just be friends!?! lol...

[Sharbuckle]

Haha well ill do my best to help with any questions you have here or elsewhere.

[mysterysnail]

Thefragtank is also good for saltwater tho they are not local.(london/toronto area)Do love ovas but not the largest or most active reefers group.
I used the caribsea eco complete sahara sand for mine. Its the black and white argonite sand with a medium grain. I used it for my malawi mbuna tank and fell in love. It works great for me and price was great.

[Chesh]

Im not so wooried about look but Im more concerned with the species health. A lot of fish and invertebrates ingest the substrate and that was my biggeat concern. The more replies and opinions the better, thanks!

[rockworm]

I have used CaribSea Dry Aragonite Special Grade Reef Sand for the last few tanks. It is not too coarse or too fine. I have been very happy with it. I have it in my current 400g and 75g.