Question about sand

[ductTAPE]

is it okay to use Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand in a freshwater tank?
if not is it okay to use reptile sand in a freshwater tank?
if not.. where can i get sand to put in my freshwater tank?

 

[cassharper]

Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand will be seeded with saltwater bacteria that cannot live in FW. When you put it in the bacteria will die before the new bacteria begins to grow causing a HUGE ammonia spike.

If it's the kind of reptile sand that zoo med makes it should just be undyed plain silica sand; in that case it would be ok to use. But most other brands have strontium, magnesium, calcium, and other stuff added to it that I don't think would be a great idea to add to a fish tank.

Lowes, Home Depot, Pool Supply Store. 2 of the most popular kinds are play sand and pool filter sand. Play sand is cheaper, but I like the way pool filter sand looks better. The pool supply store sold me a 50lb bag for $15. Pool filter sand is nice because it is graded and you won't have so much "dust".

 

[ductTAPE]

Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand will be seeded with saltwater bacteria that cannot live in FW. When you put it in the bacteria will die before the new bacteria begins to grow causing a HUGE ammonia spike.

If it's the kind of reptile sand that zoo med makes it should just be undyed plain silica sand; in that case it would be ok to use. But most other brands have strontium, magnesium, calcium, and other stuff added to it that I don't think would be a great idea to add to a fish tank.

Lowes, Home Depot, Pool Supply Store. 2 of the most popular kinds are play sand and pool filter sand. Play sand is cheaper, but I like the way pool filter sand looks better. The pool supply store sold me a 50lb bag for $15. Pool filter sand is nice because it is graded and you won't have so much "dust".

ahh kk thanks for info. [:

 

[ductTAPE]

Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Sand will be seeded with saltwater bacteria that cannot live in FW. When you put it in the bacteria will die before the new bacteria begins to grow causing a HUGE ammonia spike.

If it's the kind of reptile sand that zoo med makes it should just be undyed plain silica sand; in that case it would be ok to use. But most other brands have strontium, magnesium, calcium, and other stuff added to it that I don't think would be a great idea to add to a fish tank.

Lowes, Home Depot, Pool Supply Store. 2 of the most popular kinds are play sand and pool filter sand. Play sand is cheaper, but I like the way pool filter sand looks better. The pool supply store sold me a 50lb bag for $15. Pool filter sand is nice because it is graded and you won't have so much "dust".

is there a specific type of pool filter sand i should buy or is it all the same?

 

[schaadrak]

They should all be the same. Also 3M makes a sand they call color quartz that is about the same consistency as pool filter sand and comes in a few different colors.

 

[schaadrak]

Also be careful if you use a finer grain sand. It can get compacted and cause anaerobic conditions which will leach harmful toxins that can kill plants and animals.

 

[cassharper]

Also be careful if you use a finer grain sand. It can get compacted and cause anaerobic conditions which will leach harmful toxins that can kill plants and animals.

This is true (while unlikely it can happen). Just keep it around 2" deep and you won't have to worry about the anoxic conditions forming.

 

[ctenopoma]

use pool filter sand, it's a larger grain so it won't be disturbed or sucked up as easily during water changes or vacuuming. Live sand will cause an ammonia spike , but I'm not sure if you would be able to keep it in a bucket of water and allow the bacteria living in it to die off first.
after cleaning waste of the surface of the sand make sure to stir it to allow oxygen to get between it, - the malaysian trumpet snail burrows into the sand during the day which people find help oxygenate the substrate and plant roots and they also won't eat healthy plants in the aquarium