substrate

[crazyduckhunt]

I have soem regular gravel in my tank right now you know generic gravel... i was going to add some sand for my loaches to burrow but can only find one type that i am not to interested in can anyone suggest a sand they would use in a freshwater tank.

[Honda12]

I use quickcrete playsand that you can get from Lowes.

[davo]

you could use fine gravel instead of sand. depends on if clown loaches are the only bottom dwellers. ive heard of plecos not doing so well in sand

[crazyduckhunt]

is the sand from lowes healthy enough or will i have to do some cleanin first i have a clown pleco but he barely ever goes onto the ground usually stays on the driftwood i have 3 black kuhlis and 1 gold dojo they are ok with sand right?

[is300zx]

I've used play sand and quickrete 30 grit sand. You'll have to rinse it really well first before adding it to your tank.

[crazyduckhunt]

how exactly would u rinse it
is lowes or playsand better than stuff u buy in a lfs

[M|L]

it's just cheaper and you get a whole lot more when you buy from anywhere else but the petstores.

but you have to make sure it's not silica based, which can damage your loaches.

[crazyduckhunt]

i do0nt want a freakin 20lb bag tho just enought o put mayb a 1/4 to 1/2 in layer above the gravel how much do u think it will take to do that to a 12 gal

[Honda12]

Probably a 1lb bag from the petstore. By the way if you get playsand from lowes it comes in 50lbs not 20

[crazyduckhunt]

lol thanks so 50 is to much huh? lol. i think petco has a like a 5 or 10 lb so ill look into that