Help Requested: Sand??

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

I'm currently looking at CaribSea Ivory Coast Sand. I'm getting a price from a nearby LFS, but will go with Big Al's if I have to. It's going in a 300 gallon tank, so I'm looking at 400-450 lbs of it. I know it's going to be fairly expensive, but it's going to be a show tank in our finished basement, and I want to do the substrate just once.

 

[dayak]

i plan on switchin my tank over to BTMS tomorrow i got a few 20lb bags, lot of washing ahead of me!

sorry for my ignorance but what is BTMS?
is is black sand from caribsea? thats what i have in all my of my tank.
Black Tahitian Moon sand?

 

[dayak]

I'm currently looking at CaribSea Ivory Coast Sand. I'm getting a price from a nearby LFS, but will go with Big Al's if I have to. It's going in a 300 gallon tank, so I'm looking at 400-450 lbs of it. I know it's going to be fairly expensive, but it's going to be a show tank in our finished basement, and I want to do the substrate just once.

all i can say it its alot of work washing it and it does worth the extra money, my bottom dwellers love it

 

[Conner]

Another sand to look into is Lapis Lustre #1C. You have to order it online, unless you're on the west coast. It costs $14.11 for a 100lb bag. I bought 3 bags, and had them shipped to Kentucky from California. it ended up costing me $120 total including shipping. So its not that expensive, even shipped, and it looks very nice in aquariums. Just look up JK47's epic build thread to see pictures of it.

http://www.whitecap.com/products/433LL1C

 

[Def Leppard Hysteria]

all i can say it its alot of work washing it and it does worth the extra money, my bottom dwellers love it

That's very good news. I don't mind a little extra work to achieve the look I'm going for. I can't wait to get it.

 

[revival]

Another sand to look into is Lapis Lustre #1C. You have to order it online, unless you're on the west coast. It costs $14.11 for a 100lb bag. I bought 3 bags, and had them shipped to Kentucky from California. it ended up costing me $120 total including shipping. So its not that expensive, even shipped, and it looks very nice in aquariums. Just look up JK47's epic build thread to see pictures of it.

http://www.whitecap.com/products/433LL1C

Did you ever use LFS sand too? Im just curious to know how they compare with each other as far as looks and texture. I have seen JKs pics and its looks good but just wondering how much of a difference it it. I always thought the Lapis Lustre was much more expensive but its actually not that bad. Thanks for the link.

 

[lipadj46]

I used some quikrete play sand from lowes. At $3/50 pounds its a cheap route. Takes some extra cleaning but it looks just as good as PFS (has a bit more natural look IMO). Here are some pics of my 3 yo daughter's 55 gallon with it in it: