Best Cheapest Sand?

[Chrisplosion]

Yeah, $1/lb is a bit spendy. Especially if you'd need 100+ pounds of it.

I just looked at it like it's just a 1-time cost though. You spend that much or a lot more on a decent canister filter that you don't even look at. Had the initial PFS I bought been white, I'd probably still be using that, but I'm glad I made the switch to black over tan. Colors pop a lot more on darker substrate.

For that kind of money I would say screw it and put the black gravel I have in my 75 in it, at least it would have the bacteria the tank will need soon.

 

[NCStateFisher]

Yeah, $1/lb is a bit spendy. Especially if you'd need 100+ pounds of it.

I just looked at it like it's just a 1-time cost though. You spend that much or a lot more on a decent canister filter that you don't even look at. Had the initial PFS I bought been white, I'd probably still be using that, but I'm glad I made the switch to black over tan. Colors pop a lot more on darker substrate.

that's my only qualm with the pool filter sand, the fishes colors are typically lighter - i think im going to make sure whatever driftwood or decor i get is a darker color in the hopes the fish will try to blend in with it at times rather than just the playsand all the time

 

[Chrisplosion]

I love how white looks under florescent lighting but it washes the fishes colors out too much.

 

[Gruff Master]

You can always mix it with some darker sand. I mixed my with black aquarium sand for African Cichlids. The darker sand breaks up the white and stops it from being so bright.

 

[Dark Jester]

That's an option too. You can get 100# of tan PFS and add a 20# bag of tahitian moon over the top. Might look pretty cool with the lighter sections showing through as the sand gets moved around. Eventually it all gets mixed in and you have a darker tan color. The PFS I got from Leslie's had black flakes through it already, it would just enhance the darker color.

 

[NCStateFisher]

im considering that, a small bag of black sand and ill just mix it in/around with the tan

 

[nes999]

the best way i found is put some in an old pillow case. run till clear. repeat till finished

 

[ilikeb00st]

do you guys know if pool filter sand lowers ph?

 

[mshill90]

I use Chicken Grit Medium course. It's $6 for 100 lb bag.. rinse dust, and it's good to go.

Soft enough for the fish, eels etc.. but heavy enough it's not kicked into the filter, and it's vaccuumable.

I buy it at Agway here in PA.. but you can get it at feed stores as well.

I have it in all my tanks.. It's crushed granite, and it doesn't bother with the PH.

 

[Dark Jester]

That doesn't look bad at all. Kindof like salt & pepper all mixed up.

Any silica sand should not affect water PH or Hardness. If it's not silica, or a completely inert rock like the crushed granite above, then there is the possibility that water parameters could be affected.