beach sand as substrate okay ?

[Drunken]

Hi all
Been lurking around the forums as I`m getting a pair of convicts that i plan on breeding for feeders.

Setting up a 20gal tank and was wondering if rinsed and washed beach sand is a good substrate for them ?

 

[fourty2]

it will contain loads of crushed shells,that could mess with your PH...

 

[Drunken]

any suggestions on wich type of sand to use ?

At first i was leaning towards the type of sand you use under foundations for houses, but it compacts really well and from what i read... thats not so good

 

[fourty2]

well my personal preference is silica sand this is pretty much inert,you could use children's play sand not sure if this is silica sand...probably is,people do use it as a substrate,hope this helps.....

 

[gomezladdams]

beach sand will be fine,ca cichlids wont mind the water a little harder if theres a few shells in there.pool filter sand or playsand are all fine if your looking for a cheap substrate

 

[davo]

encourage you to check that taking the sand from your area is legal.

 

[Drunken]

Bought some playsand at local garden store... not the best looking imo
Just had to get the aquarium up and running today as I`m picking up the fish tomorrow.
The filter thats in the tank, has been used in another tank of mine so it has alll the bacteria etc... hoping it will do.

 

[outlaw]

you should try pool filter sand

 

[mbunafishkeeper]

you can lots of sands from the LFS.....

 

[fat felixxx]

dang, beach sand as substrate is a good idea. sounds super cheap to me. hahaha. is it ok to take out my current substrate and put sand in there even though my fish are in the tank??