I need some help

[jody]

I really need help with sand as a substrate. What is the best. Which is easier to clean. Can it have silica in it. And anything else you can tell me about it. thanks a lot

[davidtcb1]

There are several theories on this. I tried it for a while in my 125 Mbuna tank, but grew tired of it. I used pool filter sand which is cheap and relatively clean out of the bag. It looks cool (when clean) and they loved moving it around, but it's hard to keep clean and it's very easy to scratch your glass if even one particle gets trapped in between a magnetic cleaner or algae scrubber and the glass. Waste of course collects on top of it so you have to do more maintenance if you don't want to be seeing the poo and debris that the filter misses. The upside is that I found it easier to get waste out in the open for the same reason. Just used a turkey baster to blow the debris out of nooks and crannies and out into the open where I could get it with a python. These are some of my experiences.

[jody]

so is it ok to have silica in it. thanks for your help

[davidtcb1]

You may want to do further research... here is a good article. www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/sand.php

[mig]

Are you talking about straight silica sand or just play sand with silica mixed into it? Silica will promote diatoms and you could get a brown algae bloom, but if you have a pleco he will love it...

I use a mixture of regular play sand, and crushed coral. They can still move it around like they like too, but the coral does give it an more polished look

[jody]

well the sand i was looking at just said silica sand, so i really dont know but it was from home depot.

[mig]

Just clean it out, and you'll be fine. If you haven't bought it yet, your best bet is pool filter sand. Its probably the most popular/cheapest sand you can get.

[jody]

i think thats what i looked at but i am not sure. thanks alot for your time

[allierw]

I get the really cheap pavers sand from HD....like $3/bag. You do need to clean it first...rinse it a few times with the hose or else it will be dirty for awhile in your tank. I like sand. Easy to clean/maintain...the poo stays on the surface and just siphon it up instead of it collecting and imbedding in your gravel. Play sand will work, too, but it is a LOT dirtier.

[jody]

thanks all of you for your help and time. i was wanting to use some argonite sand to help buffer it but i still not sure. i am going to have to show pics of this tank when its done. i am putting almost two years into making it perfect.

[fishme]

I use pool filter sand in all my tanks and have never had any kind of problem with it. It's clean right out of the bag and heavy enough that it doesn't get sucked into the python all that much. Looks good, too.

[jody]

where can you get pool filter sand at. I assume home depot?

[fishme]

Look for a pool and spa store if Home Depot or Lowe's doesn't have it. It's cheap. About $10 for a 50 pound bag.

[jtrotter77]

do a search for coal slag. its a black sand similar to black beauty (which is iron slag) however coal slag is inert and will not affect water quality. only con is its very light so its takes a bit of rinsing. (not near as much as play sand however)

[jody]

cool thanks for that