Has anyone ever used Silica sand as a Base?

[GooDyboy420]

Ok i put silica sand in my tank because i like that fact it reflect my lights well im pissed because it wont cyle i let it cylce for 5 days im pretty sure it is to lite and my wet dry filter just pushes it...just wonder if anyone else has becuase im going to probaly drain my tank and put gravel in it. thanks let me kno won anything...

 

[MilitantPotato]

I use pool filter sand, works great, even though it does compact a little.

I've never heard of a tank cycling in 5 days without seeded media being added, but your question was worded badly so I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.

 

[hillbilly]

I just switched 2 of my tanks to pool filter sand. I like it. Don't really know what you mean either. I do know a tank is not going to cycle in only 5 days without an established filter.

 

[GJC]

I've used silica blasting sand in a previous tank, and the one I got set up now. No issues in the last 4 years of using it. Just rinse it really well before putting it in the tank

 

[vanilla__gorilla__]

I silica sand in my tanks with no problem I use play sand now just because I like the way it looks more

 

[ewurm]

Silica sand is sharp, I have read that it is not good, especially for rays. I don't know how it affects other fish.

 

[RadleyMiller]

It takes more than 5 days to cycle a tank.

 

[CHOMPERS]

... it wont cyle i let it cylce for 5 days im pretty sure it is to lite...

I think the confusion is in the terminology. Cycling the tank actually means cycling the filter. It is when the bacteria colony grows large enough to convert all of the produced waste through the nitrification cycle until it is relatively harmless.

It seems that you have used the term in the expectation that the filter would filter out the silt and suspended dust that came in the sand. I gather this by this statement:

...and my wet dry filter just pushes it...

A wet/dry filter is not a mechanical filter. It only houses the bacteria that consumes the fish waste. You need to have some sort of mechanical filtration. The dust and silt is in bagged sand is often too small for sponge or fiber filters and will pass right through. That is why everyone says to rinse it well before adding it to the tank. You can use a gravel vac to wash most of the silt out, but it will take several times to get it all. It will probably be easier to just syphon it all out and rinse it outside with a garden hose. Take the hose off of your gravel vac and then just syphon the sand right out. You will need several buckets or plastic containers to get the whole job done.

Good luck.