Where to get sand?

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Pazzoman

Piranha
MFK Member
Apr 5, 2009
3,005
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81
New York
Hey Everybody,

My aunt is having difficulties looking for sand for her fish tank. Is thier any sites that sell regular not "live" sand for freshwater tanks? Also if it doesnt buffer the PH to much...

Last but not least Would how deep should the sand be would a 1/2 to an inch be good enough to avoid the occasional but rare pockets of ammonia?

Thanks A Million
 
Go to a local pool supply shop and get pool filter sand. Don't order online. Shipping would cost an arm and a leg not counting that it will be like $10 for a 10 pound bag. If you are making a planted tank I'd buy as many pounds of sand as your gallonage. So a 55 gallon you'd be fine with a 50 pound bag. Good luck!

-Andrew
 
Thanks for the input for some reason I told her pool filter sand as I heard its great especially in the stingray forums.

Is thier a certain brand of pool filter sand? Or certain ingredients to stay away from?
 
Pazzoman said:
Thanks for the input for some reason I told her pool filter sand as I heard its great especially in the stingray forums.

Is thier a certain brand of pool filter sand? Or certain ingredients to stay away from?
Click to expand...

I maybe wrong but I think they are all the same. I know silica dust is bad if you breath it in so be careful. Just rinse it before you put it in.
 
PFS is fine, go to your local pool store it should be cheaper that way. I have 60 pounds in my 55g and it gives a 2-3" bed depending where my flowerhorn decides he wants to move it around to. I payed 8 bucks for a 50 pound bag. I would stay away from play sand as it is much finer and is more apt to suspend in the water.
 
I have 2 50lbs bags in my 120g cost me 5 and some coins per bag at Home Depot!
 
Pazzoman said:
Hey Everybody,

Last but not least Would how deep should the sand be would a 1/2 to an inch be good enough to avoid the occasional but rare pockets of ammonia?
Thanks A Million
Click to expand...

Many thoughts on this, but basically, use sound bio-load management (feed appropriately and vac the bottom at appropriate times.) Regardless, I think the sand has to be more than 2" deep to have any risk.
 
Does pool sand with zeolite ore have bad effects on the tank? That's what Lowes had last night when I ran by there. It was pool filter sand with zeolite ore in it. Thanks for any help.
 
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