Cleaning Sand

[Opiate]

Yes i think that you can use regular play sand, i've heard of a lot people using it for their aquariums. Just make sure that you do a really good rinsing befor you put it in your tank.

yeah i was gonna boil it up then just normal rinse until the water runs clean...i also heard that it's better to add the sand whilst it's wet...so it settles much faster and clearer! Also...what does sand do to ur ammonia/ph/nitrate levels ? raise em or lower em ?

 

[HarleyK]

what does sand do to ur ammonia/ph/nitrate levels ? raise em or lower em ?

Howdy,

Regular sand is inert. It doesn't change anything. Sand from lime stone or sand containing clay will change your water chemistry, but the regular play sand you can buy at home improvement stores does not alter your chemistry.

However, when you change the substrate completely, you need to remember that bacteria have to settle the sand. By throwing out old gravel, you basically eliminate a huge part of your biofiltration. That can cause elevated nitrite and ammonia levels in turn. Reduce feeding during the switch to sand and don't clean your biofilter at least a couple of weeks before or after the change.

Sand is a great substrate Get some trumpet snails, and you have little helper keeping the sand well aerated and clean.

HarleyK