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Sand Substrate Warning

Ellabee

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Hi. I always research every decision that I make when changing things in my aquariums. I had recently purchased a black ghost knife fish. In research I read the best substrate for scaleless fish would be the finest softest sand would be best. So the finest grain I could find was CaribSea Moonlight Sand. So that’s what I got. I really liked the density. It’s like so fluffy it’s almost like snow. OK I just wanted to put this out there. The sand is so fine that it gets everywhere. You cannot vacuum the sand with a python because it’s so fine cut, you lose it down the drain. Well here’s the thing that sand will get in your eyes and it somehow got up in my nose just from I guess touching my nose while working with it. I cannot figure out why in the world my nose was on fire and I couldn’t stand to touch it. Come to find out those very very fine particles of sand that are actually crushed glass was in bedded in my nose. As crazy as it sounds, it’s true. So I just wanted to recommend if anyone decides to use the sand, or has issues with something going on with their nose being sore after using the sand, this is what is going on. I just wanted to share that because I know I’m not the only one that this is happened to. I love the sand. But you can actually see it glittering all over my house I don’t know how it happened but it did.
 
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This is exactly why I don’t like that fine of sand.

I like this sized grains:
789449F4-33FB-43A5-9DEE-AA5169B5DD54.jpeg

(Excuse the shrimp)
 
PFS from Home Depot, around $6 for a 50# bag. Looks great, grows plants, no cleaning necessary (though I DO rinse before use), and about the same grain size as what PK uses above

 
I used Pool filter sand for years, and I really like it. But I have found one problem, algae. Pool Filter Sand is silicate and some algae species love silicate and will grow like crazy with a sand substrate. I never could figure out why I had so much trouble with algae until I figured that out. On a whim, I switched to pea pebbles, and my algae problem diminished.
 
I used Pool filter sand for years, and I really like it. But I have found one problem, algae. Pool Filter Sand is silicate and some algae species love silicate and will grow like crazy with a sand substrate. I never could figure out why I had so much trouble with algae until I figured that out. On a whim, I switched to pea pebbles, and my algae problem diminished.
Algae in the sand, or algae in the tank?
Brown, green?
I had a MAJOR diatom/brown algae outbreak using some Petco "white" sand (shudder) in my 10G, long ago, but it finally alleviated itself, once plants took over...the worst sand I've ever used that caused the most problems with (brown) algae was Tahitian Moon Sand, gah I hate that stuff...still have it in a couple of QT tanks
 
This is exactly why I don’t like that fine of sand.

I like this sized grains:
View attachment 129615
(Excuse the shrimp)
Yep!! And I am using it in 3 tanks. Putting off necessary maintenance. So upset I have done this. It’s painful when it gets in your nose. I still have it in there from the last water change. And you cant get that crap out!!
Love the shrimp!!
 
Algae in the sand, or algae in the tank?
Brown, green?
I had a MAJOR diatom/brown algae outbreak using some Petco "white" sand (shudder) in my 10G, long ago, but it finally alleviated itself, once plants took over...the worst sand I've ever used that caused the most problems with (brown) algae was Tahitian Moon Sand, gah I hate that stuff...still have it in a couple of QT tanks
Brown algae or maybe Black Beard Algae, this stuff never went away for me and that was in the course of four years. I fought that algae the entire time and so I decided to just let it go. Here is a picture of the tank and what the algae looked like after I gave up on it. But after switching to pea pebbles, still had a small bit of algae, but never the problem as I did with PFS. This picture was taken with new sand, and after I had scrubbed the plants clean of it, a couple of months later I took this picture.

Algae in 20 long 9-7-20.jpg
 
PFS from Home Depot, around $6 for a 50# bag. Looks great, grows plants, no cleaning necessary (though I DO rinse before use), and about the same grain size as what PK uses above

Wow Never thought of that but I did once buy play sand. Didn’t use it because it was so dirty. I’ll have to look into that quick Crete. Thanks for the advice
 
PFS from Home Depot, around $6 for a 50# bag. Looks great, grows plants, no cleaning necessary (though I DO rinse before use), and about the same grain size as what PK uses above

I have the same brand, just play sand. :good:


Wow Never thought of that but I did once buy play sand. Didn’t use it because it was so dirty. I’ll have to look into that quick Crete. Thanks for the advice
Yes, the Quikrete sand is very clean stuff, super easy.
 
Wow Never thought of that but I did once buy play sand. Didn’t use it because it was so dirty. I’ll have to look into that quick Crete. Thanks for the advice
Yep, I've heard that about play sand....and you are welcome.
 
Yep, I've heard that about play sand....and you are welcome.
Since I have so many tanks, I’m going to go ahead and try the Quick Crete. Thank you for the advice I’ll let you know how it turns out
 

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