Substrate

[utahfish]

Wow good thank you I was about to spend 60+ $ on sand and plant substrate. Can I take any play sand from home depot or places like this?

Yup play sand from home depot is fine. Usually comes in two different colors a light one and a dark one i prefer the darker sand, just make sure you rinse it thoroughly and remove any big rocks or sticks that might be in it

 

[Meg0000]

Just swirl the vacumn directly above the sand instead of into it like gravel. Most the debris/waste will be sitting on top of sand instead of between the cracks. If the vac starts sucking up sand just kink it off and start again not swirling too aggressively.

Ok thank you for helping

 

[PheonixKingZ]

No, it is not hard to vacuum at all. I find it easier than gravel. Do as @utahfish directed.

I got my play sand from Lowe’s, so yes, you can use any brand you want. Just make sure it is actually play sand and not fill sand.

 

[Meg0000]

Yup play sand from home depot is fine. Usually comes in two different colors a light one and a dark one i prefer the darker sand, just make sure you rinse it thoroughly and remove any big rocks or sticks that might be in it

No, it is not hard to vacuum at all. I find it easier than gravel. Do as @utahfish directed.

I got my play sand from Lowe’s, so yes, you can use any brand you want. Just make sure it is actually play sand and not fill sand.

I looked on home depot site and I found a natural play sand 50lbs/4$. I am so happy about it because I will be able to spend more of my budget on plants and hardscape! Thank you all for your help

 

[Meg0000]

I went to see the questions on the sand and now I am sot sure it is safe because it says it is not for any type of animal habitat. Could I use sand like this?

 

[Byron]

As you are in Canada, the play sand from Home Depot will likely be Quikrete Play Sand. I have this in all my tanks and have for more than six years now. No regrets at all. I contacted Quikrete back then and was satisfied in their processing of this sand to make it as safe as sand can be for kids as well as fish tanks. I am fortunate to get the dark grey mix here, and there is also a buff tone mix as someone mentioned.

As I was typing, the post above appeared...I do not know if Sakrete and Quikrete are the same, but I do know the Quikrete that I have is ideal aquarium sand. I believe it may also be available at Lowe's.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

No problem! I personally wouldn’t get that type of sand in post #20.

 

[PheonixKingZ]

As you are in Canada, the play sand from Home Depot will likely be Quikrete Play Sand. I have this in all my tanks and have for more than six years now. No regrets at all. I contacted Quikrete back then and was satisfied in their processing of this sand to make it as safe as sand can be for kids as well as fish tanks. I am fortunate to get the dark grey mix here, and there is also a buff tone mix as someone mentioned.

As I was typing, the post above appeared...I do not know if Sakrete and Quikrete are the same, but I do know the Quikrete that I have is ideal aquarium sand. I believe it may also be available at Lowe's.

That’s the brand I use to! I’m not fortunate to get the dark stuff, I only get the tan/natural brown color.

 

[Meg0000]

As you are in Canada, the play sand from Home Depot will likely be Quikrete Play Sand. I have this in all my tanks and have for more than six years now. No regrets at all. I contacted Quikrete back then and was satisfied in their processing of this sand to make it as safe as sand can be for kids as well as fish tanks. I am fortunate to get the dark grey mix here, and there is also a buff tone mix as someone mentioned.

As I was typing, the post above appeared...I do not know if Sakrete and Quikrete are the same, but I do know the Quikrete that I have is ideal aquarium sand. I believe it may also be available at Lowe's.

Yes I am from canada so I will be able to take the Quikrete

 

[seangee]

No regrets at all. I contacted Quikrete back then and was satisfied in their processing of this sand to make it as safe as sand can be for kids as well as fish tanks.

Its the kids part that provides some reassurance against contaminants, poisons, faeces etc. However much their parents may think otherwise kids will eat their play sand. So the suppliers pretty much have to ensure that it is safe for kids to eat or they would very soon be out of business following a few lawsuits.

 

[Meg0000]

I read more post on the play sand and a lot of people find it really dirty compared to PFS. How much time does it take to clean and I also read that when you move it, it clouds the water, is all that true? I read a lot of good stuff on PFS and bad stuff on play sand and it kind of scared me

 

[utahfish]

I read more post on the play sand and a lot of people find it really dirty compared to PFS. How much time does it take to clean and I also read that when you move it, it clouds the water, is all that true? I read a lot of good stuff on PFS and bad stuff on play sand and it kind of scared me

Pool filter sand. Wont kick up like play sand when disturbed and only requires one rinse and shouldnt have any debris in it, play sand definitely requires a bunch of rinses and will cloud the tank until it settles unlike pool filter sand. Personally i dont like the color of pool filter sand but thats me, i use black diamond blasting sand which is black i rinsed it once dropped it in and its been great since, its inert doesnt kick up dust when disturbed and perfectly anchors my plants. I have a bolivian Ram in the tank and he sifts through the sand no problems, posters will warn you against using blasting and pool filter sands as they are considered " industrial" sands but quikrete is also an " industrial" sand. Ive used play sand pool filter sand and blasting sand, they are all similar in price, PFS will have the largest grain size of the 3 play sand will be the messiest of the 3 and blasting sand will be the one people are most scared to try. Blasting sand comes in 3 grit sizes the fine grit is most like play sand or the fine sand one would find in eco complete or tahitian moon sand, medium grit is a bit smaller than PFS but not as fine as play sand and the bigger grit which i wouldnt recommend is bigger grain than PFS. With all 3 i dont think one can go wrong just depends on what one prefers i guess.

 

[Meg0000]

Pool filter sand. Wont kick up like play sand when disturbed and only requires one rinse and shouldnt have any debris in it, play sand definitely requires a bunch of rinses and will cloud the tank until it settles unlike pool filter sand. Personally i dont like the color of pool filter sand but thats me, i use black diamond blasting sand which is black i rinsed it once dropped it in and its been great since, its inert doesnt kick up dust when disturbed and perfectly anchors my plants. I have a bolivian Ram in the tank and he sifts through the sand no problems, posters will warn you against using blasting and pool filter sands as they are considered " industrial" sands but quikrete is also an " industrial" sand. Ive used play sand pool filter sand and blasting sand, they are all similar in price, PFS will have the largest grain size of the 3 play sand will be the messiest of the 3 and blasting sand will be the one people are most scared to try. Blasting sand comes in 3 grit sizes the fine grit is most like play sand or the fine sand one would find in eco complete or tahitian moon sand, medium grit is a bit smaller than PFS but not as fine as play sand and the bigger grit which i wouldnt recommend is bigger grain than PFS. With all 3 i dont think one can go wrong just depends on what one prefers i guess.

I think PFS is better for me then because I don't want something too messy but I am not sure if PFS is really dangerous to corydoras. I am also scared that the corydoras would make the water cloudy when they would move in the play sand. I prefer the look of play sand but it looks like a mess

 

[utahfish]

I think PFS is better for me then because I don't want something too messy but I am not sure if PFS is really dangerous to corydoras. I am also scared that the corydoras would make the water cloudy when they would move in the play sand. I prefer the look of play sand but it looks like a mess

In their natural habitat they sift through the sand and kick it up so its not going to harm them and as far as the mess goes its minimal dust kick up not enough to cloud water. The grit size and soft coursness of play sand is easier for coreys to sift through and pass through their gills where as PFS is a little bigger grain size and little coarser rougher on the coreys. Ive never had any problems with play sand its inexpensive and has a natural look and is safe for all fishes and pool filter sand is inexpensive and easy to rinse i just didnt like the look of it but hey to each their own. Having said that read lots of people that keep corys on play sand, blasting sand, or PFS without any ill effects to their corys. Good luck in whatever you choose!

 

[Naughts]

I think PFS is better for me then because I don't want something too messy but I am not sure if PFS is really dangerous to corydoras. I am also scared that the corydoras would make the water cloudy when they would move in the play sand. I prefer the look of play sand but it looks like a mess

The play sand here in the UK needs rinsing A LOT. If you think it needs rinsing 5 times, do it 10. That way you get rid of the dust and it doesn't kick up. Cleaning is easy as the dirt sits on the top. You just swirl a syphon above the sand and it sucks up the dirt.