sand substrate

[tdins_2]

i wanted sand for my 70g cichlid tank and i heard just plain play sand from home hardware or places like that will work............ will it?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Check me on this, but I think it's okay as long as it's aragonite playsand, not silica. If the package doesnt say(it should), I think the test is to put vinegar on it and see if it bubbles(if it does, its okay). Make sure you wash it well.

 

[justethe]

ya i think that just play sand will work but as he said i am not serton

 

[clothahump]

I have used playsand before and it all depends on what sort it is, it varies according to supplier.
The vast majority of it will pack down tightly and cause problems.
Try and find "Silica" sand, this will not alter the Ph of the water and does not pack down too tightly, just run your fingers through it once a week as a precaution.

 

[thecichlidaddict]

I've never seen a playsand that didn't work in an aquarium. You can also use construction sand, concrete sand, and pool filter sand.

 

[Butterfly Betta]

Isn't that only if you wash it right

I read on another forum where a guy put it in after not washing it and needed up with a tank of mess???

 

[Lateral Line]

Any sand in a tank should be kept open with a chopstick or similar, if you don't do this, you risk pockets of potentially hazardous anaerobic bacteria developing.

You DO NOT want aragonite sand. This is Calcareous, and will increase your hardness and pH. You want a neutral sand made from clean silica.

Pool filter sand is generally the best in my experience, the other types tend to pack down too hard too quickly.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

You DO NOT want aragonite sand.

lol... whoops

 

[kevin007]

You DO NOT want aragonite sand.

lol... whoops

u mixed up..with bad and good! lol

 

[justethe]

ya i gess if you do it roung and don't put it in right it will take a wile for it all to settle

 

[tdins_2]

i have playsand by quikrete thats screen washed and completely fried and is moulding sand

justin dont answer u dont konw what ur talking about

 

[justethe]

humm ya i mite work