Testing out cheap black sand!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
JML1997 said:
I have that in my planted 110. Here's some pics.

IMG_1491.jpg


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Is that the fine or coarse one?


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I have found the black sand from TS tractor supply will suspend and stay suspended for quite a while. I have found some in my HOB, which is guess is another con. However you cant be the price. I figure as long as you are using a sump or a canister where the pump sit on top and pulls the water through the canister and filters the water first, there should be no worries.
 
I have had 30/60 in my 180 and now moved to my 300 for over 3 months. The have been emerald coreys in it from the beginning and my rainbow wolves are always scooting across it. Hell if you rub it in your hands it feels no different than sand. I also removed my magnum 350s off the 180 and cleaned them for storage and did not come across any of this in them. Just make sure you thoroughly clean it well. I only clean a half bag at a time as it seems to work the best. I introduced mine to the tank and it barely clouded up at all. It was clear within an hour. All and all, so far, I really think it is the best bang for the buck black substrate.
 
I personally use a 5 gallon bucket and garden hose. I fill the bucket with half a 50lb bag and run the hose up and down in a swirling motion till the bucket is full of water. I then dump the water out slowly until the main sand is about to run out. All the real fine floating particles are gone within the 1st 3-4 fillings. It takes 10-12 fill and dumps to get most all of the oily residue out of it. Remember to really swirl in the sand with the hose to sift through all of it. When adding I use a solo cup or equivalant to scoop it up. I will stick it on the bottom of the tank and slowly dump and spread it out. If you clean and add it that way I will assure you your tank will hardly cloud up. I have tried the pillow case method but it does not seem to work near as well for me.
 
cobrasnake2003 said:
I personally use a 5 gallon bucket and garden hose. I fill the bucket with half a 50lb bag and run the hose up and down in a swirling motion till the bucket is full of water. I then dump the water out slowly until the main sand is about to run out. All the real fine floating particles are gone within the 1st 3-4 fillings. It takes 10-12 fill and dumps to get most all of the oily residue out of it. Remember to really swirl in the sand with the hose to sift through all of it. When adding I use a solo cup or equivalant to scoop it up. I will stick it on the bottom of the tank and slowly dump and spread it out. If you clean and add it that way I will assure you your tank will hardly cloud up. I have tried the pillow case method but it does not seem to work near as well for me.
Click to expand...

+1
the 5 gallon bucket and garden hose works the best

after it is in the tank to clean it when doing water changes just skim over the sand with your gravel vac
water changes are much faster with sand
 
I use the coarse
 
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