Changing To Sand - What Type Do I Need?

[Dubfellas]

Is there any special type of sand i need or can it be anything from a hardware store etc?

 

[techen]

I wouldn't get sand from the hardware store, go to argos and get there play sand. Make sure to wash it really really good, But it works out fine.

 

[balajake]

I would go for unipac aquarium sand.

 

[Dubfellas]

Great, i thought id have to buy specialised sand so thats a good cheap option. If i just change out my gravel for sand will that be ok? Cus i read somewhere about all the good bacteria your gravel holds

 

[balajake]

Just make sure you go through it every week to release the nasty gas build up. It can get really yucky and deadly if you don't

 

[DrSlackBladder]

I switched to sand a few weeks back, took gravel out gradually over a few evenings, then used the bottle method to wash and add the sand at the same time; no mess, no extensive washing in buckets, settled quickly, no regrets.  I used Pets at Home gravel sand, which is slightly coarser than playsand so settles quickly and doesn't stir too easily during water changes, etc.  And it contains some different coloured grains, which makes poop a little less obvious!

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Great, i thought id have to buy specialised sand so thats a good cheap option. If i just change out my gravel for sand will that be ok? Cus i read somewhere about all the good bacteria your gravel holds

 
Your gravel holds very little bacteria, unless you have an Undergravel filter... but if you have that, you can't have sand, so I'm guessing not.

 

[carpking]

What has made you change from sand to gravel i have just change the other from sand back to gravel got fed up of the sand looking dirty all the time.

 

[Dubfellas]

Just because my sand isnt the roundest gravel yo can buy and i wouldnt want my catfish hurting themslves on it. Although i may just buy more smoother gravel and throw it on top of the old

 

[DrSlackBladder]

These pics show the multi coloured grains in the gravel sand from PetsAtHome.  Helps disguise the inevitable poop, although I keep it vac'd every other day anyway.  But if you look at the pic in my sig, the overall effect is just natural sand colour.