Instant Aquarium Substrate, has anyone tried it?

[jag14]

I am in the process of setting up my 55. While looking at the Dr Foster and Smith website, I saw a substrate called Instant Aquarium. It is in 20 lb bags, in gravel or sand, wet packed. It supposedly has all the cycling materials in it, so that you can basically dump it in the tank and you are fish ready. I think I might try it, but would be interested in knowing if anyone else had tried it before and what was the result. BTW, I am still going to start the tank with something inexpensive, like some danios or tetras. Just wondered what luck anyone else has had with this or a similar product.

 

[Experiment397]

I used to be a rep selling it. Yes it works to some extent. It's basically bagged with some "QuickStart" you will still have to do a full cycle. And the sand will still cloud even though it's wet. I have around 120 lbs of mixed colors of the sand in my 125 on top of a laterite, dg and fluorite bed for my plants. Great stuff but cycling is still required. Nothing is truly instant.

 

[jag14]

Is a sand tank harder to clean or keep clean? Still trying to decide between the Torpedo Beach mix or the Moonlight Sand. I will be keeping Electric Blue Acaras or maybe Nicaruagen ( I know, misspelled) cichlids, depends which is cheaper when I go to actually buy the fish.

 

[tlindsey]

Since I converted most of my aquariums to sand I've noticed that sand substrate can even be easier due to waste sitting on top and not getting between substrate gravel, rocks.

 

[jag14]

Is it worth the cost of the Instant Aquarium sand? 22.00 for a 20 lb bag. Most places here don't carry anything except small 5 lb bags of sand. I think it is cheaper with the 20 lb bags.

 

[Imsobored152]

I think its a gimmick. How long has that bag sat in a warehouse? Highly doubtful any that was once alive still is. Might jump start the ammonia with all the dead "live bacteria".
Id save your money and do it the way you know works

 

[jag14]

I am still caught between gravel like I have always used and wanting to try sand. Petsmart might carry larger bags of sand. There are only a few fish stores in my area. My choices are Pet Supplies Plus, Petsmart and the Aquarium.

I have heard so many different opinions on here regarding sand and gravel substrates. I just know that gravel collects everything and can be a pain to clean. If stuff just collects on top of sand, wouldn't a siphon skimmed along the top keep it clean?

 

[Imsobored152]

I am still caught between gravel like I have always used and wanting to try sand. Petsmart might carry larger bags of sand. There are only a few fish stores in my area. My choices are Pet Supplies Plus, Petsmart and the Aquarium.

I have heard so many different opinions on here regarding sand and gravel substrates. I just know that gravel collects everything and can be a pain to clean. If stuff just collects on top of sand, wouldn't a siphon skimmed along the top keep it clean?

The big stuff collects on top, which is easily siphoned out. the small stuff can still work its way into the sand.
I used black blasting sand for my tank.

 

[jag14]

Where would I get black blasting sand? I used playground sand once, but I didn't care too much for it.

 

[Imsobored152]

Where would I get black blasting sand? I used playground sand once, but I didn't care too much for it.

I got mine at tractor supply. I got the medium size. Its like $13 for 50lbs. Just need to rinse it very well. Its inert coal slag. Looks great. No problems with it