Undergravel filter

[mr.bigglesworth]

I have an unopened undergravel filter but I would like to use play sand as my substrate. Is this possible? Btw, I don't understand how this flimsy piece of plastic could ever be called a filter. What is its purpose?

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[clemsonguy1125]

If I were you I would avoid play sand at all costs, I have no experience using it with a under gravel filter so I can't comment on that, but when I tried it, even after cleaning the sand, it had not settled 10 days later. I tried pool sand and it went in fine but it was a pain to keep clean.

 

[JK47]

If I were you I would avoid play sand at all costs, I have no experience using it with a under gravel filter so I can't comment on that, but when I tried it, even after cleaning the sand, it had not settled 10 days later. I tried pool sand and it went in fine but it was a pain to keep clean.

Spend the money on good sand (not pool filter sand) and it won't be as bad. I only use sand in my tanks. Crystal clear.

OP - the plastic thing is there to keep the gravel elevated and create a cavity in which the water can flow down through the gravel, into the cavity and up the uplift tubes back into the tank, it's very necessary when using and undergravel filter. They are not the leading edge compared to other filtration methods but work just fine on a budget. Sand will fill this cavity and make the filter worthless, water does not travel well through sand. They cannot be used together.

 

[muskieboy]

Why make a thread for a question which could have been answered with a quick google search?

Anyways play sand isn't that bad. I just takes a few days to settle.

 

[Allan01230]

I prefer gravel any day. I had sand and hated it. Ruined my ac 110 Many like sand but not me I prefer gravel.

 

[skjl47]

Hello; I no longer use sand due to the cloudiness from fine particles that are too easy to stir up and which get into the filters moving parts and can wear them out. Fine substrates also are known to trap toxic gases in pockets that can be harmful to the fish.

One way to help with these issues is to initially dry sift the sand thru a screen of some sort. This way the very fine dust can be discarded. After that the remaining sand needs to be thoroughly rinsed as with most substrates, but will take less effort with the dust gone.
This dry sifting can also allow you to wind up with more coarse particles depending on the screen size used. This can allow for the use of sand and much reduce the chance of toxic gas pockets and also the fine stuff being stirred up. The coarser sand particles do not seem to pack so much and should be better for live plants as well.