Best sand for a large tank??

[CrunchyLobster123]

Well after having my 125 for a while now I’ve got the chance to by a 7x2x2 220 I spent probably $150 on aquarium sand for my 125 and don’t want to spend $250-300 on sand for the 220 so I’m wondering if there’s cheaper alternatives y’all could recommend?? Doesn’t have to be anything crazy was hoping for a huge sand It’ll be housing my Bumble bee Oscar, geophagus, clown loaches, fire eel and cactus plecos.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I bought 50 pound bags of black diamond blasting sand at tractor supply for not to much a bag. Not sure how much they are or even if you have them up there in Canada but if you do it’s a decent choice.

 

[phreeflow]

Pool filter sand

 

[duanes]

When I lived in the U.S., I'd get PFS /water filtration sand from an abrasives dealer that supplied sand to water filtration plants, aquarium stores, landscapers, etc.
A 50lb bag was under $10 at the time, and two 50 lb bags were adequate for a 6 ft tank.

Above, is one 50 lb bag in a 6 ft tank.

Same thing with rock work, going to a landscape supplier (Stone company), they charge per ton, and cost is pennies on the dollar compared.
I'd drive my truck up, get it weighed, pick out stone, and weigh the truck filled with stone on the way out, negligible compared to per lb in stores.

 

[fishhead0103666]

I know it’s to much for you given you only have a 125 but one could also go to a rock quarry with a trailer like this
and get a ton of rock for a few bucks. At my quarry it’s going for about $22 a ton with my discount. Depending on what size rock you get you may also have the option to buy it pre washed so you’re not getting a lot of dirt and dust.

 

[bbortko]

Love red flint sand

 

[CrunchyLobster123]

I bought 50 pound bags of black diamond blasting sand at tractor supply for not to much a bag. Not sure how much they are or even if you have them up there in Canada but if you do it’s a decent choice.

We don’t have tractor supply where I live unfortunately

 

[CrunchyLobster123]

When I lived in the U.S., I'd get PFS /water filtration sand from an abrasives dealer that supplied sand to water filtration plants, aquarium stores, landscapers, etc.
A 50lb bag was under $10 at the time, and two 50 lb bags were adequate for a 6 ft tank.
View attachment 1534388View attachment 1534389
Above, is one 50 lb bag in a 6 ft tank.

Same thing with rock work, going to a landscape supplier (Stone company), they charge per ton, and cost is pennies on the dollar compared.
I'd drive my truck up, get it weighed, pick out stone, and weigh the truck filled with stone on the way out, negligible compared to per lb in stores.
View attachment 1534390

Have some local hardware stores by me selling 50lbs Pool filter sand for $20 a bag with tons of reviews using it as aquarium sand saying it’s great lol looks like this will be the route I’ll go with, thanks!

 

[puffers4puffers]

Love red flint sand

View attachment 1534444

What’s the Geo. in the pic?

 

[dmyersWv]

Red garnett blasting sand works great mixed with the pool filter sand to bring out alot of cilor in goes.