Should I Replace Gravel with Sand?

[Slaphppy7]

LOL....they're totally harmless

 

[Avel1896]

2 large nets make things easier except if your tank is set with plants, roots etc. You can't know how much roots are uncooperative when it comes to give net back to you ???

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

I think that's where we're going to get this one from actually... Two 15kg bags of it for £5 each. Yes please. I've heard that black diamond blasting sand can work as a good substitute, too.

Glad you went with the play sand, @mbsqw1d has the same one, and his cories love it

I've heard mixed reviews about the black diamond blasting sand. Would want to see some up close personally to form an opinion, but have heard that it can be quite sharp, and since cories like to filter/sift (choose which term you like!) sand through their gills, I'd be wary. But I think @WhistlingBadger has used it and not had problems, if I'm remembering rightly?

 

[Slaphppy7]

Glad you went with the play sand, @mbsqw1d has the same one, and his cories love it

I've heard mixed reviews about the black diamond blasting sand. Would want to see some up close personally to form an opinion, but have heard that it can be quite sharp, and since cories like to filter/sift (choose which term you like!) sand through their gills, I'd be wary. But I think @WhistlingBadger has used it and not had problems, if I'm remembering rightly?

Not only that, but I've read it's oily as well, and a PITA to get clean....

 

[PlasticGalaxy]

He looks like a sweetie to me! I'd let him sit on my hand

If he ever came to see me and didn't just lurk behind the plants, maybe I'd try and get friendly with him. But for now, he scares the living daylights out of me.

 

[Avel1896]

@AdoraBelle Dearheart is chidren play sand neutral ?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

@AdoraBelle Dearheart, I wasn’t talking about the Co-op video, I was saying what has been recommended to me by other members.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

@AdoraBelle Dearheart is chidren play sand neutral ?

What do you mean by this?

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

@AdoraBelle Dearheart is chidren play sand neutral ?

As in, inert?

The brand of play sand we're talking about, Argos playsand, is aquarium safe and inert, and I believe Quickrite in the US is known to be safe. But I couldn't speak on any other brands, and would caution anyone not to buy any old play sand, especially any that have been dyed or otherwise treated, since those would very likely leech nasties into the water column, likely very toxic.

ETA: Some unknown brands of playsand could also easily have silicates too, which would impact water chemistry.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

I believe Quickrite in the US

Yes, you are correct. Love this stuff. It looks good, is easy to clean, and is safe.

Some people prefer pool filter sand, but I find PF sand doesn’t look that natural. It’s a personal opinion really.

I’m going to try black sand in one of my tanks, after I move and have to tear it down. Black sand does look really good...

 

[Avel1896]

As in, inert?

The brand of play sand we're talking about, Argos playsand, is aquarium safe and inert, and I believe Quickrite in the US is known to be safe. But I couldn't speak on any other brands, and would caution anyone not to buy any old play sand, especially any that have been dyed or otherwise treated, since those would very likely leech nasties into the water column, likely very toxic.

ETA: Some unknown brands of playsand could also easily have silicates too, which would impact water chemistry.

Sorry, yes I meant "inert". Many thanksss

 

[madmark285]

As in, inert?

The brand of play sand we're talking about, Argos playsand, is aquarium safe and inert, and I believe Quickrite in the US is known to be safe. But I couldn't speak on any other brands, and would caution anyone not to buy any old play sand, especially any that have been dyed or otherwise treated, since those would very likely leech nasties into the water column, likely very toxic.

ETA: Some unknown brands of playsand could also easily have silicates too, which would impact water chemistry.

In the USA, another major brand is Sakrete play sand (Lowes) which is gray in color. They don't recommend it for aquariums as it may change the pH of the water. I am doing a test with the Sakrete sand, after 3 weeks it has not affected the pH (7.8) but I will not be using it. I going to use pool filter sand which looks much better than the Quikrete play sand many use here in the US.

 

[AdoraBelle Dearheart]

In the USA, another major brand is Sakrete play sand (Lowes) which is gray in color. They don't recommend it for aquariums as it may change the pH of the water. I am doing a test with the Sakrete sand, after 3 weeks it has not affected the pH (7.8) but I will not be using it. I going to use pool filter sand which looks much better than the Quikrete play sand many use here in the US.

Does the Sakrete have a lot of silicates in it? That could be why. But I'm not good with the chemistry stuff, @Essjay is the one who really gets this!

I have black limpopo sand in two of my tanks (which is really more of a slate grey than black, more subtle and natural looking), but will be tearing down and revamping the 57 gallon soon though which right now has a yellow river stone substrate, and seriously considering the Argos, sand-coloured playsand for the new substrate there, mainly just to have a contrast compared to the dark substrate in the other tanks. We always want the opposite of what we have, right?

 

[Avel1896]

Well I understand you as I do prefer dark substrate ?

 

[Slaphppy7]

As in, inert?

The brand of play sand we're talking about, Argos playsand, is aquarium safe and inert, and I believe Quickrite in the US is known to be safe. But I couldn't speak on any other brands, and would caution anyone not to buy any old play sand, especially any that have been dyed or otherwise treated, since those would very likely leech nasties into the water column, likely very toxic.

ETA: Some unknown brands of playsand could also easily have silicates too, which would impact water chemistry.

"Quikrete"