Sand

[Thalan]

Ok so a lot of different types of sand are mentioned as working or not working for our needs and I think terminology is an issue because some people swear by play sand where others avoid it like the plague. So what actual TYPE of sand is good?
Silica?
Crushed quartz?
Something else?
I'm looking into starting a sand tank for my catfish and I think the best thing I've found so far as far as price and color was reptile sand (silica iirc) will that work? My catfish like to burrow, am I going to need super smooth sand for him? Does it matter? Recommendations please.

 

[Newt]

I use pool filter sand. It is cheap and a lot cleaner than play sand. It hasn't caused a problem for my fish, even my ray.

 

[fayfay]

Got chinchillasand in one of my tanks. My tanganyika loves it.

 

[Pharaoh]

Go with pool filter sand from Leslie's pools. It is a heavier sand that can actually be vacuumed with the standard gravel vac. It's cheap too.

 

[Thalan]

I'll look into that. Heavy is good, any idea on colors?

 

[Pharaoh]

Pool filter sand only comes in one color, tan/light brown'ish.

 

[Lepisosteus platyrhincus]

i use pool filter

 

[gomezladdams]

I use alot of pool filter sand as well.For a little more you can look at 3m colorquartz

 

[Charles d]

i used playsand from home depot just washed it before i put it in look great and cheap

 

[chesterthehero]

pool filter sand FTW!!

the larger pool supply store will have different grades of sand.. its pretty darn close in size.. my fave is "the bigger course stuff".. couldnt tell you a real size on it.. but it was a 50lb paper bag for like $7.. it took about 6 minutes to rinse..