I use play sand from Home Depot in my tanks. It was like $3.50 for a 50lb bag. If you use it make sure you wash it A LOT before putting in your tank. With the play sand I filled up a bucket half way with sand and continued rinsing it till the water was clear. It probably took at least 20 fill ups and rinses to get it clear. From what I have read the silica sand is much cleaner out of the bag.
I agree, 20 fill ups at least. You may want to move your filter intakes up as high as possible, especially if you have cichlids as they will scoop up mouthfulls and sometimes spit directly into the intake. I also wrap the intakes in poly fil (quilt batting).
From my experience the dirt mostly sits on top of the sand. You can siphon it off by holding the siphon above the substrate.
I use play sand as well. Great stuff for the price! However you should select a filter for that tank carefully. Sand will chew up any impellers over time if the intake is too close to the bottom.
I think siphoning the sand is much easier than gravel. The feces and leftover foods sit on top of the sand and you can just swirl the siphon lightly above the sand and it will lift all the debris up enough to be siphoned. I am thinking of making most of my new tanks sand.
You also will not be able to burry any airstones. They quickly "unburry" themselves leaving a pit around them and raining sand on anything in the tank. At least that is how it is with playsand. I don't care however, the look of playsand is worth the hassle.
im a huge fan of pool filter sand.. i prefer the very course (large) stuff.. waste and food still build up on top of it but my filtration does not blow it around the tank..
