I sent a follow up email to the company asking why it's not aquarium safe.
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question on substrate
- Thread starter MattW
- Start date
I once found a brand called Sankrete play sand. Their website said it was not aquarium safe either but also recommended finding a sand that didn't affect the pH of the water. So maybe that's it with this one.
OP
OP
Just got the Argos play sand thanks for everyone's help 
Hi, I am setting up my fish tank as well.
I was watching Father Fish channel on youtube (old school, seems very knolewdgeable- at least to me), he recommends cpl of inches of dirt under the sand. I have never done that, any opinion on that? I know you can`t just use any soil...most recommended was "pond-soil".
I have not used my fish tank for five years, it was stored outside, with some water in it...now it is cleaned, I filled it up, no signs of leaking, silicon/glue seems damage and crack free and not dried. Should be safe to use? 150 liter is ok for an aquarium...not for the floor.
Many years ago I was advised to was sand with limescale remover until stops fizzing up, rinse many many times and air dry it and "bake it" in the oven (obviously fan off) to make sure it is super clean. Is it necessary or a over the top?
I was watching Father Fish channel on youtube (old school, seems very knolewdgeable- at least to me), he recommends cpl of inches of dirt under the sand. I have never done that, any opinion on that? I know you can`t just use any soil...most recommended was "pond-soil".
I have not used my fish tank for five years, it was stored outside, with some water in it...now it is cleaned, I filled it up, no signs of leaking, silicon/glue seems damage and crack free and not dried. Should be safe to use? 150 liter is ok for an aquarium...not for the floor.
Many years ago I was advised to was sand with limescale remover until stops fizzing up, rinse many many times and air dry it and "bake it" in the oven (obviously fan off) to make sure it is super clean. Is it necessary or a over the top?
I personally would not, too much chance of it leeching things that cause ammonia or bacteria you don't want. But that's me playing it safe.
Agree, stay with one substrate type, inert sand here. Dirt or soil under a cap of sand is asking for trouble, and not worth the effort anyway as it wears out of its nutritive value within a year.
Salamandra
New Member
I have only had problems with sand and suspect plant roots do not '' breathe '' and spread as easy .
I like one inch no more river gravel or black gravel NOT black glass gravel.
However I have actually been to Father Fish's pet store if same pet sore in Venice , Florida before he was YouTube famous and must say very nice tanks , I bought neon tetras , plants and bird stuff going back few years .
I am also into weekly water changes but again his tanks looked great so everyone has their way .
Just to clarify, this is not the case. First, how would plants growing in soil and sand manage if this was an issue? This is the substrate in nature. Second, this suggests the roots have no problem with nutrient and gas exchange. And they certainly spread, my Echinodorus plants had roots some 2-3 feet long spreading all over the substrate when I pulled them up to move.
Salamandra
New Member
My experience with sand was the plants never grew well using Java fern , assorted vals , water sprite , cabomba and ludwigia while in gravel under same conditions as far as lighting , etc they took off .
All I can say is there is no reason these plants cannot thrive in sand. Mine certainly did, and for years I had gravel until I found out it was not good for my fish (cories) so I changed, and wished I had way sooner. There may have been something in your sand (or gravel), or some other factor at play.
Java fern shouldn't be planted in the substrate - if yours was that could explain why it didn't do well.
Salamandra
New Member
Grows well in gravel I have lots now , the key is you weigh the roots down not the stem and it does attach to gravel and spread .
With sand using same method it did not work.
Already posted this pic but shows Java directly
You are lucky. Many people either bury the rhizome or accidentally cover the rhizome during tank maintenance and the rhizome rots. It is for this reason that most people grow Java fern (and anubias) attached to decor.
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