what substrate to use for my new 120?

[freeskier]

i just got a 120 off of craigslist. I plan on putting some eartheaters from a smaller tank in, but don't have a set stock list yet.

i've never had a sand tank but am considering it because of the cost savings. is pool filter sand the best to get? what about paver sand from Home Depot? I'd prefer a dark substrate but flourite and eco complete would be a fortune in this tank. Also, I'd like to have some plants.

Can anyone reccomend any safe brands? I am looking for something that is both attractive and affordable.

thanks for the advice

 

[haynchinook334]

pool filter sand is easy to clean, and add some drift wood and live or fake plants ( up to you) a black back ground, and your good to go......IMO.

 

[catfishlover106]

i just got a 120 off of craigslist. I plan on putting some eartheaters from a smaller tank in, but don't have a set stock list yet.

i've never had a sand tank but am considering it because of the cost savings. is pool filter sand the best to get? what about paver sand from Home Depot? I'd prefer a dark substrate but flourite and eco complete would be a fortune in this tank. Also, I'd like to have some plants.

Can anyone reccomend any safe brands? I am looking for something that is both attractive and affordable.

thanks for the advice

well the Black Tahitian Moon Sand is attractive but can be pricey...just stick with something sandy...no gravel...but if you want something cheap that your can afford...get Play Sand from Lowes or Homedepot...they sell a 50 lb bag for $3-5 each...the Black Tahitian Moon Sand costs about $10-25 for a 20 lb bag...so its pretty sweet looking but pricey...if you want a neutral sandy look get play sand...but with play sand...you must clean it thoroughly much more than the other sands...unless you dig the cloudy tanks then don't clean it lol but just clean sands as good as you can until you see clearer results in the bucket your washing the sand in.Or go with the cheap and better to clean Pool Filter Sand.

 

[gilkm]

If you are interested in black sand, I would recommend visiting a Pet Supplies Plus if you have one near you. They sale black sand in 5 pound bags, but it is only $3 a bag, so $12 per 20lbs.

 

[haynchinook334]

If you are interested in black sand, I would recommend visiting a Pet Supplies Plus if you have one near you. They sale black sand in 5 pound bags, but it is only $3 a bag, so $12 per 20lbs.

thats still $30 for a 50lbs bag...when you can get 100lbs of pool filter sand for $10.....but yeah if you want to go black sand, thats the price you pay.

 

[westup]

as haynchinook334 said pool filter sand is pretty good, from my experience the grade of pool filter sand i got was easy to clean. i heard 3m colorquartz is a good PFS comes in s grade and t grade and a variety of colors you can choose from. i never tried 3m colorquartz because i cant find a retailer but if you can find some that would be a good thing to look into. good luck!

 

[freeskier]

as haynchinook334 said pool filter sand is pretty good, from my experience the grade of pool filter sand i got was easy to clean. i heard 3m colorquartz is a good PFS comes in s grade and t grade and a variety of colors you can choose from. i never tried 3m colorquartz because i cant find a retailer but if you can find some that would be a good thing to look into. good luck!

that's a good idea, i've read about 3m a while ago but had forgotten about it. anyone have anything to say good or bad about 3m colorquartz?

 

[japes]

River sand, Eartheaters love it, and it looks very natural, obviously.

Play sand (the really fine stuff) is also nice in my opinion.

 

[haynchinook334]

thats nice.

 

[Bawb2u]

If you want eartheaters, I'd definitley recommend sand. I prefer the pool filter sand, it's much less silty,doesn't require the intense washing of playsand and doesn't get thrown up into the filter as easily as playsand. If you want to put some plants in, you don't need to cover the entire bottom of the tank with flourite or eco-complete, you can make rock circles or get low circular clay pots, like the ones used under upright pots to catch excess water and just put it in there and plant those. It's a much more efficient use of your money and will look more natural.