Can You Use Playsand As A Substrate?

[Dave_NI]

Hi folks, not sure if this is in the right section, I was in tescos the other night with my girlfriend and i saw bags of playsand and they are really cheap compared to the sand the LFS sell, is it possible to use it for a planted aquarium and how hard is it to clean, will the syphon just suck it up when i try cleaning it?

 

[backtotropical]

Hi Dave,

Yes you can use play sand, and many of our members do. I in fact have 2 bags of it sitting in my house as we speak ready to go into my new Malawi set up.

As for cleaning, you don't actually have to clean the sand, just merely suck up all the debris which collects on top of it. The good thing about sand is that the dirt doesn't get down below the surface and in amongst the substrate. I'd say its actually easier to clean than gravel.

Hope that helps mate.

BTT

 

[Dave_NI]

hi, thanks for the info was really helpfull

cheers,

dave


how many kilos would i need for a 96ltr or does it just depend on the look i want wether or not its raised at the back?

 

[shelaghfishface]

hmm im pretty sure i used 1 for mine of a very similar size, and that had an inch black rim around the bottom, but also depends on how you like it to look of course, raised in areas like you say

you will lose small amounts with each gravel vac,so buying an extra bag and storing it wouldnt be a bad idea,so that you can "top it up" when the need arises

 

[arobinson1984]

I'm not sure if you have to check the sand for anything in particular that may be added before using it.

Alot of members on here use argos play sand and that one is definately ok to use.

Check the link: Argos play sand

Less than £3, and one bag will be more than enough

Andy

 

[Dave_NI]

thanks guys

 

[Infidel_Uk]

what's the difference, if any , between that argos play sand and say , something you might pay over a tenner for from your lfs ?

is there any difference other than the packaging ?

 

[leeandstacie]

Argos is best as it is silt free (I got that from this site)
Rinse it through before adding to your tank by sticking it in a pillow case and running it under a hose pipe
1 Bag should be ample but like shelagh say's you will loose some everytime you vac

 

[Infidel_Uk]

ive been reading up on the Instant Aquarium Substrate by carib sea, people are claiming it can bring your cycle times right down...

no rinisng either, just put it right in the tank , just curious really to see if the extra money is worth it over the play sand

http/www.caribsea.com/pages/products/instant_aquarium.html

 

[bagu]

ive been reading up on the Instant Aquarium Substrate by carib sea, people are claiming it can bring your cycle times right down...

no rinisng either, just put it right in the tank , just curious really to see if the extra money is worth it over the play sand

[URL="http/www.caribsea.com/pages/products/instant_aquarium.html"]http/www.caribsea.com/pages/products/instant_aquarium.html[/URL]

thanks for that mate, thats interesting!

 

[Infidel_Uk]

ive been reading up on the Instant Aquarium Substrate by carib sea, people are claiming it can bring your cycle times right down...

no rinisng either, just put it right in the tank , just curious really to see if the extra money is worth it over the play sand

<a href="http/www.caribsea.com/pages/products/instant_aquarium.html" target="_blank">http/www.caribsea.com/pages/products/instant_aquarium.html</a>

thanks for that mate, thats interesting!

lol ive just bought 3 bags , 26 quid a bag so be prepared if you end up liking it , left me skint !

if you can find my other threads one of them has pix of it lit up and in the tank...