im doing the famous switch to sand, i have a 50 lb bag of play sand for my 36 bowfront... any advice/pointers??
sand
- Thread starter dempsey420
- Start date
if your going to use play sand rinse the crap out if before you add it to your tank other wise Good luck.
rinse it, I put it in a bucket and run a hose into the bucket and let it over flow off to get rid of finer particles when its clearing up give it a couple stirs to make sure. Don't add to a tank with fish in it as until it settles it will be a sever agitant for their gills.
Agreed... I used pool filter sand and STILL had to rinse the crap out of it. Play sand, you're going to lose a lot of your "sand" in rinsing because there is so much dirt. And no matter how much you rinse play sand, you're still liable to have problems with it (ie initial clouding of water, clogged filter, etc). Pool Filter Sand might be a little more expensive, but its definitely worth it.
lmao took the words right outta my mouth. I had playsand and it was a big p.i.t.a and then switched to pfs and couldnt be happier. but if you do plan on using playsand then like the others said rinse the crap outta it and then rinse it some more then put it in the tank.
+1 DO IT NOW
!!! Play Sand is crap, spend a few extra dollars more and get the good stuff, Pool Filter Sand is the way to go.
If you are set on using the playsand, rinse and rinse again. But, even after you do this, your water is still going to be quite cloudy after you add it, so don't get discouraged, it will clear up after a day or so. While it makes much sense that it will irritate fish gills if you add it while the fish are in the tank as mentioned, I have added several substrates, including playsand in an Mbuna tank, while the fish were in the tank, and they never were harmed.
pool filter sand is also a bit heavier so if ur fish sift and dig pits it wont stay floating in the wtaer to damage filters. playsand is dusty pool filter is more granule would be the best way to describe it. its also a bit lighter in color too.