welll i just did this last weekend to my 55 gallon setup, went to a place here called menards and got 100lbs of pool filter sand 4.50 a bag of 50 lbs. came out great. i took out all old substrate with fish in the tank,and added the sand with fish in the tank and every thing turned out great,( i washed the sand before adding it) i wanted the max sand to plant so i used 100lbs and it is 3in high atleast in my tank, 50lbs looked ok but 100 looked great. the best part is how cheap it was did my whole tank for 9 dollars. you can start with 50 lbs and see if you like it and just go buy more if needed, pm me if you need the exact name of the sand i saved it. home depot didn't have it, but if you don't have a menareds check local hardware store near you, or pool store if it comes to it. also if you want to see what it looks like i can email you pics
ok here is my problem. i want to save some money so iwanted to use a sand substrate and some substrate to plant with. i dont know where to start and how much i need of both for a 55 gallon. i've seen some sight where you can get a 15lb bag for like twenty bucks or so. then i was told i can use some pool sand with. well here's the problem with that how do one know what's safe and some one is being malicious with miss leading info. cause from what i understand is that this pool sand is 100% pure silica. is this safe for my fish? as well, wouldn't this change my water ph and hardness? i wish there was someone out here in monsterfishkeepers that can enlighten me. thanks sincerely yours truely cichlid crazy
