Changing From Gravel To Sand

Live sand is, I believe, for marine tanks. Personally, I wouldn't trust anything coloured, unless it's specially for fish tanks (and I once bought some 'black' gravel that was actually white with a coating on; the coating soon started to wear off and it looked awful).

Kiln dried paving sand, pool filter sand and playsand are all safe. Avoid 'sharp' builder's and coral sand too :good:
 
fluttermoth said:
Live sand is, I believe, for marine tanks. Personally, I wouldn't trust anything coloured, unless it's specially for fish tanks (and I once bought some 'black' gravel that was actually white with a coating on; the coating soon started to wear off and it looked awful).

Kiln dried paving sand, pool filter sand and playsand are all safe. Avoid 'sharp' builder's and coral sand too :good:

Just for interest I got caribsea live sand, the trpoical version. Worked really well for me, never had ammonia show since the day I filled up, but had 0.25 nitrite fot the first ten days. Thereafter, zeros all the way
 
Oh, well, I stand corrected then!

OP; do check on the labelling though, won't you?!
 
fluttermoth said:
Oh, well, I stand corrected then!

OP; do check on the labelling though, won't you?!

That is actually very good advice as it does look like marine substrate and you could easily get confused between the two.
 
Live rock is indeed for a saltwater tank. For freshwater it is easy enough. Get whatever type of sand you want, rinse it thoroughly and place it in the tank. If you are replacing another substrate, it is best to remove it first.
 

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