We should REALLY have a "sand" sticky

[aclockworkorange]

I see at least a new topic every day in this forum about sand.

What type, where to get it, etc.

I was thinking maybe we can just compile everything into a sticky thread to solve this issue.

So, with mod approval of course, maybe we can all chip in and share what we know?

I think the best way to do it is to just list:

1) Brand name of sand (pictures of bag might be nice, AND pic of sand!)
2) "Type" of sand (aquarium specific, pool filter, playsand, blasting, etc)
3) Cost per bag/weight
4) Where to buy
5) Pros (what you like about it, etc)
6) Cons (is it hard to clean? too fine? etc)

And let the mods do the rest, if they feel so inclined.

 

[aclockworkorange]

I'll start:

1) Brand: Cemex Lapis Lustre Sand
2) Type: Blasting
3) Cost: 50 cents a pound
4) Where to buy: Found at LFS
5) Pros: Nice, heavy, easy to clean, looks great
6) Cons: Kind of pricey

 

[bbboys]

Here it goes...

Brand: Quickrete
Type: Play
Cost: $5 per 50lb bag
Where To Buy: Home improvement stores
Pros: Verry cheap, Looks fairly good
Cons: All grains are the same color, Verry fine, Takes a lot of rinseing, Hard to keep clean

 

[JK47]

I'll play.. Honestly this may not become a sticky or go very far though J, half of MFK is 13 year old kids puking what they read over and over, taking it as the only choice out there.. They get all defensive when you tell them there are better options out there than pool filter sand.. I've used both and prefer the below.

It's funny everyone posts "PFS FTW!" (guilty here too back in the days) but so few post a brand name or source. There are many manufacturers and if you pull the MSDS of a few brands you would be suprised how much they vary in content. (% of silica etc..) Everyone spends so much on fish, set up and filtration and then cheaps out on substrate.

1) Lapis Lustre made be Cemex.
2) # 1C, a blasting media.
3) $25 per 50lbs bag. (with LFS markup, can be found much cheaper but I support local business )
4) West Coast LFS or distributors.
5) Heavier and smoother than PFS, can gravel vac much easier and has a far more natural look. My geos love this sand.. < ultimate test right there..
6) Not as cheap as PFS if bought at LFS but again if you are not cheap and support local business, then it's really a pro.

Same pic as aclockworkorange above, it was my pic.



This is the sand, my tank, my fish. The great DSLR pic was taken by MFK member Modest_Man, not me. Credit to him.

 

[FSM]

that's some nice looking sand. Pool filter sand is better than play sand (larger grain and not bright white) but I wish it was darker.

 

[buddha1200]

i use the homedepot playsand as pictured above,have to agree with what was stated,except i find i rinses quite easily and i have no problem keeping it clean,it is very fine though but my geos and plecos love it. tip-rinse really well and you should not have aclouding problem atleast i didnt.

 

[buddha1200]

just checked my bag same label but it is a clear bag,could it be a different grade or they just changed the bag,not sure.

 

[CrazyFishLadyJulez]

So.. do you prefer sand over gravel?

 

[bbboys]

I prefer sand looks better to me... I usually use monterey beach sand miched with aragonite for my africans. But I had some play sand left over and jused used it im a growout.

 

[TheCanuck]

quickrete fine white sand

5$ 80lb bag


doesn't grow any algae, no rinse, no kick