Sand for Tank

[Marx]

looking for a good natural looking sand for my tank.. i will have drift wood & rocks(river rocks) and maybe some plants..

I'm going to go mixed community fish..

Also is the bomix sand from rona any good? and does it play with PH?

Also how do you test rocks to make sure there ok for aquarium use? vinegar?

thanks!!

[artw]

well I got some sand you can have. come over and get it.
its the stuff from Home Depot.
most rocks around here are ok for tanks.

[Marx]

were are ya art?

and how much sand lol... i want to make 2 separate levels in tank.. what type of sand? brand name?

I want a 4" drop off..

I will drive to you no problems!!

[Pisidan]

Just so you know If your sand is too thick you will get a problem with the sand molding I did..and I didnt have very much in my tank maybe 2 inches I switched to Pool filter sand..you can find some that is natural looking you just have to search!! Just an FYI from my own experience!!

[Marx]

pool filter sand is better? cause it doesn't clump?

aslo what is non silica and silica?

thanks!!

[Pisidan]

I find it is better cause it doesnt mold and contain hidden gases like Sand does it is silica you can find it in a wide range of colours too like from white to Sand looking...I use white for my cichlids cause I find it brings their colours out alot compared to darker colours and kinda looks tropical too LOL!!!

[luvfishies]

Home Depot

"All Purpose Sand" in the cement aisle. Nice, mixed colour sand, but silty as heck, so it needs rinsing like MAD!

Just be aware that if the sand is more than 1.5-2" deep, you will need to stir it to get rid of possible anearobic pockets.

Here's a pic of a QTand with this sand. Please excuse the "incompatible" mix of fish

[Marx]

anyone else have any suggestions? i want a sandy bottom but i don't want the PH that none silica sands provide..

i called all over for pool filter sand and can't find any.. i called home depot, rona, builders warehouse.. the all have types of sand.. but none have white or tanned none silica sand..

sheesh.. might aswell go gravel!

[luvfishies]

Marx, that sand I use doesn't mess with the pH at all.

As for pool filter sand, try swimming pool places. The "decor sand" in Home Depot is white silica, and inert, as well.

[artw]

Gasp,  are those diamond tetras in with brevis?  Blasphemous!:D

Marx. I am on Fisher.  come on over tomorrow evening and take it. you might want to bring a pail.  I opened the bag, err,  creatively.

[Marx]

thanks art... is your sand inert and won't play with water chemistry? also is it dark or light coloured?

[Marx]

well all you cichlid people wouldn't really care about sand qaulity lol.. cause none silica sand buffers ph..  while silica sand is inert.. no chemistry adjustment.. sheesh and i used to throw freshwater fish into my tank with no worries lol..

[artw]

well honestly I am not sure why people make such a big deal about rocks or sand or gravel or whatever anyway. mountains out of molehills i say.
put the darn rock in the tank and if yer fish die you screwed up.
hehe

[Pisidan]

The pool filter sand I use doesnt mess with my PH as well...!!

[luvfishies]

Gasp,  are those diamond tetras in with brevis?  Blasphemous!:D

Brichardi, Neolamp Oscellatus "gold" and Diamond Tetras, actually. They all thrived in there while in QT, but the Diamonds are now in with the Discus, and seem happy enough.

Oscellatus and Brichardi still have yet to "get busy" for me  :evil:

[328iGuy]

Just pick up some pool filter sand from Mermaid Pools or any other pool store in Ottawa.  I have gotten some from many different pool stores around Ottawa, however Rona and Home Depot don't seem to carry it.

[don]

There's this place that carries inert sand blasting sand in various grains. It's located near lebretan flats. I used it in my 50 and it works well. The finest grain doesn't seem to compact too much, but definately nice. They have white and black.

[gvv]

About this pool sand.
Is it coarse or fine?

[Marx]

is sand really safe?

i read horror stories about sand..

when planting sand gets stirred up and destroys pump and filter motors..

Bottom feeders get gill scabs.. caused by silica particals?

also bottoms get compact causing severe gas pockets..

also while cleaning sand with vaccum you can lift sand and it will screw up your equipment..

scares the hell out of me..

i have a bag of sand at home and im thinking not to use it..

[gvv]

is sand really safe?
i read horror stories about sand..

Yes, not a good idea to use magnetic or some chemical active sand. But, don't be so much afraid of sand as a whole, use a common sense. Or ... stones can crash the glass, plants can take a lot of oxygen at night, etc   .
I used sand before (fine and coarse as well) and had no problems. Just now I'm looking for coarse sand.