Help choosing sand for the tank

[duanes]

I would choose the Sunset gold, because it looks the most natural, and don't want anything too light or white, because those substrates seem to wash colors out on many cichlids.
I also don't want to hide detritus, or poop. if its there and visible I'll vacuum it out on non-planted tanks. If that means a daily extra little water change to keep stuff from breaking down, compromising water quality, all the better.
I use pool filter sand because its dense enough not to be pulled into filters, yet the grain is small enough to keep detritus on its surface instead of working in between grain.
Below a 6ft tank using only 1x 50lb bag of pool filter sand.


I do a lot of diving in areas where cichlids live, so it often influences my choices of what looks natural or not to me.
Blow some underwater shots I took in a tributary of the Rio Magdalena in Colombia.

 

[Rass]

I wouldn't do the all white either if it were me, I try to stick to either natural or black colors. I have some white gravel in a couple tanks but it's a 50/50 mix with black. Anymore all I've been using is the coarse black Diamond blasting sand from tractor supply and it works great for everything! Understandable if you don't want all black though. In that case I'd go pool filter sand. A fraction of the cost of caribsea.

 

[FINWIN]

Pretty much any heavier grain sand would work. Natural substrates around the world go from brown/red /gold leaf litter, light or dark brown detrius, brown mud, black sand with pink coral, green/blue plants or algae...nature is far more diverse than is given credit. Too bright a sand seems to stress fish a bit though, like staring in a strobe light. White sand has up to 98 percent light reflection rate...that's kinda rough to rest around. If there's enough wood and plants it helps to counteract the harsh look of stark white.

On the opposite end solid black sand is gloomy and darkens a room, especially in tanks over 100 gallons. Some members here have made good salt/pepper mixes that look nice.

 

[Richard203]

i was wondering dont some of pool filter sand made out of silca? and wont that have diatom out break?

 

[Hendre]

i was wondering dont some of pool filter sand made out of silca? and wont that have diatom out break?

Silica is inert and doesn't release any silicates. In fact, almost 97% of the earths crust consists of silicate minerals and our aquarium rocks are also known not to leach silicates. Silica sand is basically tiny quartz rocks

 

[Joshuakahan]

I decided to try sand in new aquarium instead of pebbles or bare bottom. I am not sure, what sand to buy out of these 4

None alters the pH, the sand would go in flowerhorns tank and blood parrots tank (2 different tanks).

I like sunset gold but not sure it would match my tanks background. Or should I just go for sand from Home Depot (if yes, any pictures on how it looks)? Any other factor I should be considering?

Tanks are 40b and 75 gallon tanks. Thank you advance guys. Stay safe.

Crystal River
Typical Size: 0.5 - 1.0mm
Average Density: 95 pounds per cubic foot
Item: 05840, 5 lb; 00840, 20 lb; 00870, 50 lb

View attachment 1413404

Moonlight Sand
Typical Size: 0.25 - 0.75mm
Average Density: 95 pounds per cubic foot
Item: 05820, 5 lb; 00820, 20 lb; 00850, 50 lb
View attachment 1413405

Sunset Gold
Typical Size: 0.25 - 1.0mm
Average Density: 94 pounds per cubic foot
Item: 05839, 5 lb; 00839, 20 lb; 00869, 50 lb

View attachment 1413406

Torpedo Beach
Typical Size: 0.5 - 2.0mm
Average Density: 94 pounds per cubic foot
Item: 05823, 5 lb; 00823, 20 lb; 00853, 50 lb

View attachment 1413407

This the the background I have
View attachment 1413409

I would suggest a darker sand only because in my experience, fish show better color with dark substrate. I usually mix play sand with some type of black sand from my lfs. From my experience as long as it’s not too deep, getting in the filter isn’t an issue

 

[Ruturaj]

Thank you guys, I got peace river sand (grain size is 1-2mm).

 

[Joshuakahan]

Thank you guys, I got peace river sand (grain size is 1-2mm).

View attachment 1416429

View attachment 1416430

View attachment 1416431

Looking good, dig that driftwood

 

[Ruturaj]

Looking good, dig that driftwood

Thank you. It's artificial from PetSmart, got it because I think it would be safer.

 

[Joshuakahan]

Thank you. It's artificial from PetSmart, got it because I think it would be safer.

Fake or real it still looks nice
?