Sand

[Nuttygal! :0)]

I am setting up a small tank just to house 1 male betta. Firstly, in my other tanks I use gravel as a substrate, but would sand be an option in this one? If so, would just the normal kids' playsand do, or does it have to be anything special from my LFS? If I added it would the water go cloudy and for how long? And would sand affect my betta in any harmful way?

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

..Anybody?

 

[Candyco]

Right....I've got sand in 2 of my tanks... i got aquarium sand from my lfs but have been told that childrens play sand is just a good (and cheaper)
i had to continuously wash it for about an hour at least.... after putting it in the tank the water was cloudy for a while but soon cleared..... have a look @ the pinned thread about sand!

 

[Candyco]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=71597

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Oh thanks for your help! That is a great article!

 

[LoachLover]

Just rinse it good, and you can use playsand or special sand. The betta isn't really going to "appreciate" the sand as much as bottom dwellers would though

 

[Inchworm]

If you wash the sand a few cupfuls at a time it will get clean quickly. I used a dishpan and just kept swirling it around and pouring off the dirty water until the water ran clear. Even cleaning enough sand for a 30 gallon tank did not take very long.

It's well worth the effort to get the sand (or gravel if you are using it) clean before putting it in the tank, rather than to try to filter the dirty water which will result, if you don't.

 

[DMan99]

Ive just set up a betta tank sized 24 x 12 x 12 and it has a sandy substrate, i thoroughly rinsed it first and my water is as you can imagine not clear just yet. I originally planned for just the one male betta but im now thinkin ill get a shoal of corydoras, jst to optimize the use of the sand!

Nuttgal, im pretty much in the same situation as you!

 

[yvez9]

depends on your setup

if it's something like a bowl with no filter, i'd go against it because you'd have to do 100% every few days. The sand would stir up everytime you changed water and you'd have to wait for it to settle everytime. I'd then suggest you get big gravel because it is easier to remove and put back in to wash it.

If it's a normal tank with a filter, go ahead as you will only do partial water changes so the sand won't be disturbed as much.

 

[Nuttygal! :0)]

Ok guys (and gals!) thanks for all your help!