Thinking for doing a small budget remodel...

[BushFishRox]

well I am getting tired of the same old look of my aquarium, so I am thinking of doing a small budget remodel...

I would like to remove the black gravel and most of the plastic plants and small decor and replace it with play sand and make caves and such out of cider blocks.

I was wondering if the cinder blocks would be safe to use, and I will probly grab some rocks from the survey where I am building a house... I have about $40 to spend atm due to x-mas and such ...

 

[gasser]

Cinder blocks will be very alkaline for quite some time and will need to be cured or soaked in water until the pH stabalizes. It is full of lime that is very caustic. Thats typical of fresh concrete. Over time it will stop this and it will be safe. Do frequent water changes and check pH. ONce stable you can start cycling your tank and add fish.

Good luck.

Jeff

 

[mike dunagan]

stay away from play sand to light in weight use pool filter sand still cheap...

 

[BrtnBoy449]

i have herd that it is not safe to put play sand in tanks, it would be better to buy pool filter sand or aquarium sand.

 

[X24]

i personally used to have black gravel, then moved to play sand. if i had to do it over again i'd go with black sand (taihitan moon sand) sand looks awesome, but i really like 99% of fishes colors better when they are matched to a dark substrate instead of a light one.

 

[navygirl76]

dont use play sand--that stuff is a mess. i use pool filter sand in my tanks, and love the look and the size of the grains.

 

[BushFishRox]

ok thanks for all the input!!

 

[snake513]

poolfilter sand 6 bucks for 50 lbs