Anybody use this sand with polys?

[noodles13]

Saw this stuff at lowes today and wondered if it would be ok in a tank. It's a lighter color sand, pretty fine grade, and cheap. Less than $8 for 100lb. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Should work, just make sure to wash the sand throughly.

 

[stevezx2002]

That will have alot of dust in it so it will take a little work to clean, I have used pool filter sand, it usually has less dust.

 

[mike_sema]

You will have to clean that stuff like crazy, When I used it I put it in a pillow case then ran water over it

 

[zoohouse]

I would use pool filter sand or sand-blasting media over playsand(that play sand contains bad quartz and some lime). Silica sands sink much faster and if washed well wont cloud the water at all. Sand blasting media comes in all different grain sizes and has a natural brown look to it. Pool filter sand looks like sugar and is a pita to keep looking clean but adds awesome contrast.

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

You will have to clean that stuff like crazy, When I used it I put it in a pillow case then ran water over it

Haha I poured mine into a bucket and use a wooden stick to stir it

 

[noodles13]

I figured I would have to wash the crap out of it, but it might be worth it for the price. The pool filter sand in my area is a little more than I want to spend. Kinda tryin to do this tank on a budget, especially cause the tank and stand aren't paid for yet... Found some driftwood yesterday I'm gonna bake in the oven and soak for it too

 

[ilovecacichlids]

ya that should work gotta remember were these lil guys come from is naturally sand.

 

[JamesF]

Actually, where they come from is most likely mud.
Pool filter sand should be damn cheap. Even up here it's $15 for 50lbs. A 125 gallon tank cost me $45 to fill deep enough for planting, would have cost only about $30 if I wasn't using plants.

 

[ilovecacichlids]

it's parts of sand, clay, an gravel from the site i found of the makeup of the African Congo River floor bed.