sand recommendations?

[paOol]

i know this is a debatable issue, but which sand is best for my 50 gallon tank?

I have a freshwater setup. fish include

tiger barbs
white barred datnoid
albino senegal bichir
indian topaz puffer


i plan on adding more fish later on, i currently have light blue gravel on the bottom, and i dont like it very much. i have a black construction paper background.

what kind of sand is best for my fish/tank setup?
how many pounds am i looking at here?
whats a good color to go with it?
easy to clean with a python ?
filter blockage? (i'll have 2 filters running at the same time)

 

[bluefrog]

play sand . go to the hardware store its verry cheap looks good and its clean

 

[rallysman]

Pool filter sand. Comes cleaner than playsand (atleast the play sand i've used....it took forever to rinse.) Its a little more coarse so its less likely to be sucked into your filter and its easier to clean with a python. I have a few tanks now with pool filter sand and i love it. I didnt have to rinse any of it. 1 50lb bag should be good for that tank, and that will run you about 6 bucks.

 

[wolfnnc]

Black Tahitian Moon Sand - might cost some money...but it looks SWEEET

 

[paOol]

Pool filter sand. Comes cleaner than playsand (atleast the play sand i've used....it took forever to rinse.) Its a little more coarse so its less likely to be sucked into your filter and its easier to clean with a python. I have a few tanks now with pool filter sand and i love it. I didnt have to rinse any of it. 1 50lb bag should be good for that tank, and that will run you about 6 bucks.

$6?!?!?!? where can i get some pool filter sand?
and what color is it. got any pics?

is 50lbs necessary for my 50 gallon??

thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

 

[paOol]

Black Tahitian Moon Sand - might cost some money...but it looks SWEEET

i heard having dark color sand will make my fish not look as bright?
can anyone confirm this.

 

[just101]

Try a hardware store first. If that fails a pool supply store will have it. Pool sand is just silica sand, usually a 29 to 50 grit. The color can vary depending on the brand. Go with the 50lb bag as rallysman said. Good luck.

 

[gomezladdams]

i heard having dark color sand will make my fish not look as bright?
can anyone confirm this.

If anything a fish will be darker over a darker substrate

 

[gomezladdams]

For regular rectangle aquaria about 1-1.5 pounds of substrate per gallon capacity less for tall more for long tanks

 

[rallysman]

$6?!?!?!? where can i get some pool filter sand?
and what color is it. got any pics?

is 50lbs necessary for my 50 gallon??

thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

I get mine at a hardware store.

Here is a pic of what mine looks like.