play sand?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
rallysman said:
If your python tube is long enough, it wont suck it up...if it does you can always try to turn the water pressure down to reduce the suction. I have sand in mine, with a catfish that LOVES to stir it up, it always just settles right back down, never cloudy. If your sand happened to get into the imppellers it would probably make it noisy and screw it up....but you will be fine unless you have some diggers. What are you planning on having in this tank, and how far will the filter intake be from the sand?
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I'm planning on sticking my arowana in a 125gal by about decmeber or january. And, I'm trying not to spend a fortune in the process. So, instead of a drilled tank with a wet/dry, I'm getting a standard ank and putting two E400's on the back of it. The pick up for those filters sits pretty low unless you cut the tube. That's why I was worried about sand getting pulled into the filter.
 
I do not recommend “play sand” for any freshwater aquarium. I have two 90 gallon tanks with “Pool Filter Sand” purchased from Home Depot. The bags are 3 pounds of filtered sand selling for $5.99. The sand is large enough not to compact and yet soft enough and moveable to house a South American Lungfish and several other tropical fish. The down side of using any type of sand in a Freshwater Tank is the amount of waste that collects in a short period of time. Water changes and vacuuming is a vital role in maintain this type of environment. The play sand will compact down and not allow for proper filtration. I must say that there is a big difference in the two types of sands. Please choose wisely in the type of set up you want to make.
 
Plans have changed. I got a 29 for my aro to be in for a bit and i don't have the gar yet but I am gana put sand in it so ill take somne pix so u can get an idea of the look of it for your tanks:D
 
Another one for pool filter sand, I have used it in my tanks for over 10 years with none of the problems people mention with play sand. All this time I have used a canister filter and never had a problem with it getting into the filter. It does not cloud the water because it has been seived and so contains next to no dust and wont pack down and get dead spots like DarthLungFish suggests. I use a syphon vaccuum and as long as you pay attention to what your doing you shouldnt have any problems with it being sucked up. You can see it in my tank in my photo gallery.
 
If ever I use sand again I will probably try the pool filtersand but it does seem expensive. Is is at all abrasive because the only time I use sand is for soft skinned burroweres or sand sifters?
 
I have not noticed it to be abrasive but I havent kept any borrowing fish, I did have an eel tailed catfish that loved it and my Bala Shark loves vacuuming up the sand and filtering out the food that has fallen to the bottom - it is also available in different seived grades so you can get fine grade or a more coarse grade.
 
i did it and it looks awsome.
 
IMPULSEBUYER said:
ive been told that you need to get silica free sand???
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:ROFL: Did the guy who told you that keep a straight face? Silica (aka silicon dioxide) is the major component of sand... at least here (no so in Hawaii, but that's maybe where he told you that story?!)

That was a good one. Anyhow, I have play sand in my tanks, and it works great. No problems with dirt in it, since I have Malaysian Trumpet Snails (Melanoides Tuberculata) in my tank. They keep the substrate free of organic matter, and they aerate it doing so. No tank should be without them! Also, sand is the best substrate for plants.

Just one thing: Look at the sand closely. Most sand originates from old river sediments, i.e. sand pits. The sand will be round and perfect for bottom dwellers. If the sand has sharp edges, though, it comes from crushed rocks. That is not good for fish, since they can get cuts, especially catfish. In that case, just look at another home improvement store. There are so many.

Have fun, sand is a great substrate!

HarleyK
 
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