Sand??
14 posts • Page 1 of 2
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jweb1369 - Posts: 547
- Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:55 am
Yes you can use play sand. This sand won't increase your pH either. With sand the fish poop and debris stays on top so you can easily clean it. Also a gravel vac is easier to use with sand (at least I think so). You might suck up some sand, but I prefer sand over gravel. Plus most fish live in areas with sand bottoms.
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jacuzzi7755 - Posts: 13
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2008 1:08 pm
You can also use pool sand which is inexpensive and very easy to find as well, I should have a nice 50# bound bag waiting for me under the tree this year. Good luck
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BurgerKing7704 - Posts: 106
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:03 pm
Maybe head out to the hardware store or pool place, write down the names or photograph the bags. Then post all that info here if you're wondering some more info about wether or not its safe for the fish or the difficulty to rinse.
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Tmercier834747 - Posts: 887
- Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:33 pm
nothing is really easy rinsing if it requires rinsing. heh.
When adding any particle substrate you're gonna have to rinse thoroughly if it requires any rinsing at all. I'll agree with many others here that playsand is perfectly safe, inert, and many of us members use it..including myself. I don't think you can beat the price of bang you get for buck on playsand but poolsand may not have to be rinsed. Not sure.
When mixed properly with small areas of pebbles (not so much gravel) it makes for a very natural look.
When adding any particle substrate you're gonna have to rinse thoroughly if it requires any rinsing at all. I'll agree with many others here that playsand is perfectly safe, inert, and many of us members use it..including myself. I don't think you can beat the price of bang you get for buck on playsand but poolsand may not have to be rinsed. Not sure.
When mixed properly with small areas of pebbles (not so much gravel) it makes for a very natural look.
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BurgerKing7704 - Posts: 106
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:03 pm
I'd wait il summer, but I'm in Canada, and its really damn cold right now.
But since you're nice and warm in texas:
Get a Bucket(size doesnt reall matter, a few gallons)
fill the bucket about a quarter with sand
Hook up the hose, pour the water from the hose into the bucket
The water will flow over eventually with the bad stuff
Continuously stir up sand
Wait until the water clears up
then pour sand into tank
Repeat until you have the sand bed you're looking for.
There should be vids on youtube if you want a visual aid
But since you're nice and warm in texas:
Get a Bucket(size doesnt reall matter, a few gallons)
fill the bucket about a quarter with sand
Hook up the hose, pour the water from the hose into the bucket
The water will flow over eventually with the bad stuff
Continuously stir up sand
Wait until the water clears up
then pour sand into tank
Repeat until you have the sand bed you're looking for.
There should be vids on youtube if you want a visual aid
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vwfan79 - Posts: 80
- Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 8:20 pm
When using a gravel vac to clean sand and other small particle substrates it helps to pinch or kink the hose a bit, it will prevent you from sucking up the substrate.
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bacrosslin - Posts: 27
- Joined: Sun Oct 05, 2008 2:34 am
I bought pool white filtration sand from home depot. I think think it was like $6.00.
If you do have a gravel vac and want to save beating your back muscles up hauling bucket after bucket of wet sand and dumping it into your tank do what i did.
I emptied my tank of everything, dumped in the entire bag of sand, filled tank up half way of water and drained it out with the gavel vac it took me about an hour to get perfectly clear water. But also i have a good gravel vac that hooks up to my sink. I also used big wooden spoon to stir up[ the sand while doin this, which helps to speed up the process.
Good Luck :)
If you do have a gravel vac and want to save beating your back muscles up hauling bucket after bucket of wet sand and dumping it into your tank do what i did.
I emptied my tank of everything, dumped in the entire bag of sand, filled tank up half way of water and drained it out with the gavel vac it took me about an hour to get perfectly clear water. But also i have a good gravel vac that hooks up to my sink. I also used big wooden spoon to stir up[ the sand while doin this, which helps to speed up the process.
Good Luck :)
