Where Do You Get Sand From?

J

Jozlyn

Guest
I'm thinking of switching from gravel to sand. Where do you get sand from? Can you just use any old sand or does it have to be a specific type and how the heck do you wash it once you get it?
 
When i changed mine i just got play sand from HomeDepot i think it was 3.99 for a 50 lb. bag, when rinsing just fill a 5G buckat up halfway with sand and stick a hose in to the bottom and turn it on, wait till the water runs clear (Outside of course) Hope this helps...

TH
 
Thanks, is there any other way to wash it? We're on high level water restrictions and I'm not allowed to use a hose. I also can't handle the thought of wasting that much water either.
 
Well.... I cant really think of another way to wash it. I guess it could be rinsed quickly and then put into the tank just allow time to settle before turning filter/s on. It will problably be clouded for a couple days.

TH
 
another way is to drop the sand into the tank are going to put it in and leave the filter on with some floss or something finer for the media. when the water gets clear, stir the sand up and repeat. worked for me, took like like a week though :p
 
You would just have to be carefull not to wipe the motor out by getting sand stuck in there. (Learned this the hard way)
 
I filled a 10L bucket halfway with sand, filled it to just above the level of the sand with water swished the sand around a few times, emptied the water and repeated a further 3 / 4 times depending on how fast the water went clear. Put it in the tank and it wasn't cloudy at all, just be careful how you put the water in. I used a plastic tray layed on top of the sand, then as the water rose the tray was still floating so I was pouring onto the tray and not direct onto the sand which will cause it to cloud up. So in total I wasted about 20L of water but that half bucket of sand is enough for a small layer of sand in a 2ft tank, I only used 1 and a half bags on my 4ft tank(the bags were 10kg). I got my sand from the local supermarket, it's playsand, I've heard people say they use pool filter sand as well which is meant to be better because it's not as fine playsand.
 
Hmm, ok thanks people, given me some things to think about, now I have to find out where to get the sand out here in the middle of nowhere!
 
I bought my sand at the local hardware.It was kid safe play sand (white),free of foriegn objects ,100% pure sand,thats what the bag said anyways.I didnt wash it ,probably not to smart on my part but I didnt have any problems.Its been in my 90 gal.cold water tank for more than 2 yrs. now with out incedent.I paid about 4 bucks for a 30 lb bag I believe.
 
Hardware stores, gardening centers, or pool suppliers are your best bets.

Pool suppliers will sell cleaner, more expensive sands ~$0.15-0.30/lb

Hardware/gardening stores will sell really cheap and dirtier sands. ~$0.10/lb

Prices can vary alot, but that should give you an idea.
 
Freeze the sand in tank water and leave on the bottom of the tank :D
Wouldn't that work without clouding?
Edit; umm, but careful with your water temp if your fish are in it :blush:
 
Thanks, is there any other way to wash it? We're on high level water restrictions and I'm not allowed to use a hose. I also can't handle the thought of wasting that much water either.
Couldn't you put al the water from tank changes into a (clean) water butt and then use that to rinse the sand?
 
I got my sand from my local garden center. It was a byo bucket deal. I just put some sand in a bucket added some water stirred well and emptied the water several times. I was going to suggest collect rain water and use that but realized water restrictions usually means no rain. Sorry It's a little early for me to think clearly as I've only been up a little while.
 

Most reactions

Back
Top