Sand

[WestTex]

Can i pick up some sand from a hardware store and use it to start a 20 gallon planted tank?

Plan was to use 1.5 inches of sand at bottom and 1/2 inch of fine gravel ontop of it. Lighting level is on the low end and I have a CO2 reactor.

Was also planing to order my plants online as a package from http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/ (no LFS within 100 miles)

Do you think that kind of setup would be a good start?

Thanks
WestTex

[Frostyone]

Pool filter sand would be your best choice and a 50lb bag can be had for around 10 bucks.

[WestTex]

and as for fertilizer, would a liquid fertilizer work well for a sand bottom?

[Frostyone]

Since you're planning to cover the sand with a larger gravel look into some of the stuff with the ferts already in it.

[Bethany]

i work at a hardware store, and i would not recommend the recreational sand places like that sell. [they're not good quality and have bits of stuff in them, not ideal for a tank, usually poor quality bc people just mix it in concrete usually]. if they have one that's got a ripped corner check it out and see what the quality is before buying a bag.

like Frostyone said, pool filter sand would be fine.

[Doremon72]

Cost me $6.00 a bag for pool filter sand at a pool shop in Salem, New Hampshire. Nice white quartz look to it.

[Mudfrog]

I've used playground sand before.. it's horrible. Destroyed several filters, it was so bad I'm scared to try pool filter sand.

[Frostyone]

I've used playground sand before.. it's horrible. Destroyed several filters, it was so bad I'm scared to try pool filter sand.

Here's some pics of my 40 planted with pool filter sand, have a Magnum HOT 250 on it, been up and running for about a month now with no fliter issues, not even a single grain of sand in the fliter. I believe the grain size is a little larger in the pool filter, so it's heavier and doesn't get sucked up as easy as say playgound sand and things along those lines.

Just make sure to wash the sand good in a bucket to get all the lighter particles out that will float and get into and destroy your impellers.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149247&page=4

[WestTex]

just called McCoy's (only show in town) and they have playground sand for 3 bucks / 50 pound bag. I can throw a good deal of it in a 5 gallon bucket and run and spray a high pressure jet of water in the bottom of it to kick the bad dust and grains up and overflow out of the bucket. Do you guys think this would clean the playground sand good enough? I don't really want to make a 100 mile trip to get good substrate.

[Mudfrog]

Here's some pics of my 40 planted with pool filter sand, have a Magnum HOT 250 on it, been up and running for about a month now with no fliter issues, not even a single grain of sand in the fliter. I believe the grain size is a little larger in the pool filter, so it's heavier and doesn't get sucked up as easy as say playgound sand and things along those lines.

Just make sure to wash the sand good in a bucket to get all the lighter particles out that will float and get into and destroy your impellers.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149247&page=4

The sad part is I spent 30 min washing out the playground sand.. it was still extremely cloudy when I added it.

Your sand looks real good, it's actually a little darker then the play sand which I like as well. I'll have to pick up a bag to try.

[Mudfrog]

How well do plants grow in pool filter sand? I need some low light plants, nothing fancy, just something that will absorb some nitrates.

[WyldFya]

Can i pick up some sand from a hardware store and use it to start a 20 gallon planted tank?

Plan was to use 1.5 inches of sand at bottom and 1/2 inch of fine gravel ontop of it. Lighting level is on the low end and I have a CO2 reactor.

Was also planing to order my plants online as a package from http://www.freshwateraquariumplants.com/ (no LFS within 100 miles)

Do you think that kind of setup would be a good start?

Thanks
WestTex
Large grains must be on top, eventually if you do it the opposite, one of two things will happen. In a properly maintained tank, the fine sand will sift through the course sand and will be at the bottom. In a neglected tank, the fine sand will sit on top, but will not allow gasses to escape, and can cause very toxic pockets to form.

[WyldFya]

Pool filter sand would be your best choice and a 50lb bag can be had for around 10 bucks.
Pool filter sand would be a better choice, but not the best choice. Better than pool filter sand is sand blasting sand, and better than that is plant substrate sands.

[WyldFya]

and as for fertilizer, would a liquid fertilizer work well for a sand bottom?
That along with some root tabs for any root feeders and you will be fine.

[WyldFya]

i work at a hardware store, and i would not recommend the recreational sand places like that sell. [they're not good quality and have bits of stuff in them, not ideal for a tank, usually poor quality bc people just mix it in concrete usually]. if they have one that's got a ripped corner check it out and see what the quality is before buying a bag.

like Frostyone said, pool filter sand would be fine.
Play sand is fine for aquatics, and does provide some nutrients. It's a pain to clean, but it will work. Play sand is quite often used in plant tanks.

[WyldFya]

I've used playground sand before.. it's horrible. Destroyed several filters, it was so bad I'm scared to try pool filter sand.
Hang on back filters or any filter that utilizes the pump to pull the water from the tank will have problems with any fine sand.

[WyldFya]

just called McCoy's (only show in town) and they have playground sand for 3 bucks / 50 pound bag. I can throw a good deal of it in a 5 gallon bucket and run and spray a high pressure jet of water in the bottom of it to kick the bad dust and grains up and overflow out of the bucket. Do you guys think this would clean the playground sand good enough? I don't really want to make a 100 mile trip to get good substrate.
Look for a sand blasting company, or any shops that deal with hardware, they can get you on the right track for sand blasting grit.

[WyldFya]

How well do plants grow in pool filter sand? I need some low light plants, nothing fancy, just something that will absorb some nitrates.
Pool filter sand and sand blasting sands, both are inert, so they won't do anything for the plants, however they are good to root in.

[OnceLoyal]

Wyld..... You kick *ss