substrate help

[CTD]

Sandblasting sand is cheaper $4.25 for a 50 LB bag here

 

[Gator]

I agree, there is no reason to get play sand, it is full of clay which is really hard to clean out. Get pool filter sand AKA silica sand, it cheap and easy to use just rinse to get all the fine particles out. I use it on all my tanks, except for the bare bottom growouts.

Your FX5 will be fine (great choice!).

Play sand is silica sand read the bags. If it were full of clay then it would turn into a brick when it got wet then dried out in all those kids sand boxes. The only difference between Play sand and Pool filter sand is the grain size and a little more effort in rinsing the play sand. I used it in my old 55G planted tank with no problems.

 

[NotoriousSway]

a little more effort in rinsing the play sand.

Because all the clay/dirt! Ether way its harder to clean, I'm just trying to make this guys life easier. I will stick with pool filter sand, plus its a nice bright white.

 

[crowconor]

thanks for all the help

 

[roombo]

No play sand!

 

[haynchinook334]

i have gravel from homedepot but it is a bit jagged and i want to get a ray
so i was thinking pool filter sand so my q's are
1. how many bags for a 125
2. what are the cons
3. can i use undergravel w/ powerheads
4. how do i clean the sand

thanks conor

1. how many bags for a 125...i used 2x50lbs
2. what are the cons....none
3. can i use undergravel w/ powerheads.....????? don't know, never used one be for.
4. how do i clean the sand.....hover the hose your syphoning water out of about 1/4 inch above the sand and clean the poo like that.

i use pool fliter sand.

 

[paintballingajs]

Pool filter sand for sure... under gravel probably wont work.

 

[Corrado93]

Does Pool filter sand come in different colors?

 

[sp33dstix]

i have gravel from homedepot but it is a bit jagged and i want to get a ray
so i was thinking pool filter sand so my q's are
1. how many bags for a 125
2. what are the cons
3. can i use undergravel w/ powerheads
4. how do i clean the sand

thanks conor

I used play sand for a 29 gal bowfront:
1. Half of one bag
2. Worried it might get sucked into my HOB, put a stocking over the intake
3. Dont think so, undergravel relys on having some distance between the gravel and bottom of the tank, sand will fall threw unless you make a custom mesh that will let water threw but not the sand
4. Just hover over the sand with a siphon, you will suck up some sand

 

[imisim]

Does Pool filter sand come in different colors?

I don't know if you have Leslie's Pool Supply in Canada or not. They have their own pool filter sand brand which I prefer. The sand look more natural since they are mixed with various grain color and it will help hide away the gunks created by your fish.

Regarding play sand, I won't recommend it. It's too fine and easily stir up by your fish and get suck up by your filter. Pool filter sand is heavier due to the larger grain size.