Red Clay/Mud as substrate?

[clm08k]

also just looked at the cost of Jurassic sands fish substrate. $70 for 50lbs. maybe I might try something else. haha.

 

[clm08k]

what about colored quartz sand?

 

[jclyde13]

Ive read somewhere that play sand is not good for aquarium. It makes the water cloudy and the sand is to light it ends up floating in the top and it can get stuck on filters. So most people use pool sand instead of play sand.

I've used play sand in a few different tanks and it works fine for me. It takes a bit of rinsing but after that it's no big deal. Just have to make sure your filter intakes aren't too close to the substrate.

 

[Polyaddict86]

what about colored quartz sand?

Im not sure about that, i always go to the store and actially see the substrate my self. I never order substrate online, when i go to the store i asked for sample and i put it in the clear plastic cup with water to see how the substrate will turn out in under the water, then ill wait about a week or so to see if the color will change.

 

[clm08k]

Im not sure about that, i always go to the store and actially see the substrate my self. I never order substrate online, when i go to the store i asked for sample and i put it in the clear plastic cup with water to see how the substrate will turn out in under the water, then ill wait about a week or so to see if the color will change.

that's a great idea! Especially about testing it for an extended period. You never know what can leach out.