A Poor Investment?

[xRage10]

Everyone knows that TMS isn't cheap at all. In fact, it's pretty expensive. Well, I bought two 20 lb. bags of the stuff for about $55 (after tax) and it looks great. Only issue is that to clean it up takes a lot of care to not remove any of the sand and is very difficult.

I've been seriously thinking about switching to some rock or stone for my substrate, just because it's easier to clean. Would it have bee a poor investment to switch? I haven't had the substrate for any more than two months maybe and don't really know if I should do it.

 

[gveng]

lol, i've never heard the word investment used in fish keeping... more like a money pit.

but to answer your question, if you find it difficult to clean then change it. if you don't, your water quality will suffer.

 

[xRage10]

lol, i've never heard the word investment used in fish keeping... more like a money pit.

but to answer your question, if you find it difficult to clean then change it. if you don't, your water quality will suffer.

Yeah I guess money pit does give it more justice

I'll probably end up switching. Make a very good point about the water quality and with nearly $40 in fish currently in the aquarium I could ultimately lose in the long run. Should only be like $30 to switch to pebbles or somethin anyway.

 

[johno27]

I would just try a larger sand 3m is nice so is the carib sea torpedo beach

TMS is very small and light in comparison to other sands

3m color quartz has a black sand that you might like a lot better

hope that helps

 

[B.Ho]

I would just try a larger sand 3m is nice so is the carib sea torpedo beach

Agree, you can also try pool filter sand. It comes in larger grain and is cheap. About $10 for a 50lb bag. So if you do suck any of the sand out, after a while you can just replace it no problem

 

[TheRealAndyCook]

why not take the sand out and use it in a pure plant tank? that way you dont feel bad about "wasting" money? ...or just keep it stored with the intentions to use it that way?

 

[xRage10]

I would just try a larger sand 3m is nice so is the carib sea torpedo beach

TMS is very small and light in comparison to other sands

3m color quartz has a black sand that you might like a lot better

hope that helps

Agree, you can also try pool filter sand. It comes in larger grain and is cheap. About $10 for a 50lb bag. So if you do suck any of the sand out, after a while you can just replace it no problem

I've been thinking about going to a bigger sand, but I think I'm just going to go with pebbles, maybe "river rock" or something. Really considering what they call something like "beach rock" or something that's a little more saturated than river rock. Just have to plan it all out.

why not take the sand out and use it in a pure plant tank? that way you dont feel bad about "wasting" money? ...or just keep it stored with the intentions to use it that way?

I was thinking about that, but before that happens I have to actually buy a new aquarium

Whatever sand I pull out of the aquarium will just be put in a bucket until I decide what to do with it.

 

[liquidcity]

has anyone ever tried peace river

 

[Chicklette]

I would just try a larger sand 3m is nice so is the carib sea torpedo beach

That's what I would do personally.

 

[packer43064]

If you keep it, it's really not a bad investment then. I mean your keeping it, if you take it out then go outside and throw it in the wind your wasting money but otherwise it's still yours. $55 in your fish tank or $55 that sits in a bucket, the same either way. See if someone will trade, I would for 30 bucks in a heart beart. But I live in Ohio.

Also how is it hard to clean? Do you use a syphon, your going to lose some when you syphon it just happens.