Sand

[PoseidonSB]

I have just bought a 180L juwel tank and the only thing that I don't have sorted yet is the substrate
I really want to get sand and I was wondering about play sand, is it really suitable for tanks? or is it too heavy and dirty?
I am gonna have corydoras in the tank so will they approve??

thanks in advance

 

[Randi]

I have play sand in my tank and it is fine, but you must wash it first. Put some in a bucket and rinse it until the water runs clear. (this can take a long time) Your corys will love it!

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Yup, Argos Play sand it is, I also have a juwel 180 with it in, see my sig

 

[PoseidonSB]

Love the tank KkAaNnEe and yes the sand looks brilliant, although I want rid on the built on filter so need to figure out how to get that out lol.
But seriously your tank and the sand looks great

 

[fluttermoth]

The internal Juwel filters are just held on with a few blobs of silicone IIRC. You need something with a long, thin blade you can slide behind it; it's quite easy from what I've read.

 

[KkAaNnEe]

Love the tank KkAaNnEe and yes the sand looks brilliant, although I want rid on the built on filter so need to figure out how to get that out lol.
But seriously your tank and the sand looks great

Cheers still needs more plants though... The filter is normally just siliconed in I think.

The internal Juwel filters are just held on with a few blobs of silicone IIRC. You need something with a long, thin blade you can slide behind it; it's quite easy from what I've read.

I think its probably easier when empty! lol

 

[MontyJ]

Just curious, but has anyone tried using pool filter sand?

 

[PoseidonSB]

I've read that pool filter sand is very popular and not as dirty as play sand to start with, just couldn't find it anywhere in Ireland

 

[CrazyAirborne]

i think its just more expensive!

 

[BigbruiserAl]

i think its just more expensive!

Yep it is. Argos play sand £3.99 15kg Swimming Pool Silica Sand is approx £25 for 25kg at a quick glance

 

[EdgeDs]

I am thinking about maybe going with sand when my new tank arrives. The only thing that concerns me is will it add salt content too my water as I have a Featherfin catfish and not want too do anything that harms him

 

[Tizer]

sand is sand, not salt.

 

[OldMan47]

Pool filter sand is indeed a decent choice for a substrate. It is quite different from play sand in one respect, it has a uniform particle size. Play sand can be quite variable in particle size so I prefer it top filter sand. In fact my favorite sand is sold as sand blasting sand and is quite a bit larger particle size than the typical play sand.