Questions about sand...

[thegrandpoohbah]

What type of sand do you guys use in your tanks and where did you buy it? I've heard that play sand and pool filter sand can be used and that it is relatively cheap. Can I find these at any Home Depot or Rona? And how much rinsing should I expect to do?

[madattiver]

I just use play sand from Home Depot.. I beleive it is like $5-8 for 50 lbs of sand. Just make sure you rinse it really well before putting it in your tanks.

[hp10BII]

I used sandblasting sand, special ordered from Lordco Autosupply. 80 lb bag was about $15. It's quartz silica sand, watch for dust when cleaning. It was pretty clean, but you still need to rinse out the dust and sediment but not too much longer than regular gravel. I washed smaller quantities of sand compared to gravel because it packs more densely and is harder to stir around.

http://www.targetproducts.com/catalog/specsheets/lmsilsnd.pdf

I bought the largest grain size that Lordco could order, maybe No. 16 size? I was worried about anaerobic (sp?) air pockets forming in densely packed sand, but the sand is teeming with mts now anyways. You may not want white though, just imagine algae growing on white sand if you get an outbreak.

Hagen sells the same grain sized sand, but @ typical aquarium prices.

[thegrandpoohbah]

I just use play sand from Home Depot.. I beleive it is like $5-8 for 50 lbs of sand. Just make sure you rinse it really well before putting it in your tanks.
Do you have any pics of your tank with the play sand in it? I want to see what colour it is.

hp10BII, thanks for the tip. I definitely do not want white sand because it would be too hard to keep clean.

[Melody]

I read somewhere in some forum (meaning don't take it as gospel) that sand-blasting sand can have impurities because it isn't designed for human exposure. Any thoughts on that? It makes sense but I know nothing of what sand components (for lack of a better word) there can be.

I wouldn't mind mixing sand for my pots rather than using straight plant substrate aka gold-plated clay.:rolleyes:

[hp10BII]

I read somewhere in some forum (meaning don't take it as gospel) that sand-blasting sand can have impurities because it isn't designed for human exposure. Any thoughts on that? It makes sense but I know nothing of what sand components (for lack of a better word) there can be.

I wouldn't mind mixing sand for my pots rather than using straight plant substrate aka gold-plated clay.:rolleyes:

lol...maybe we read from the same forum. Probably referencing the sharp silica dust that if inhaled can cause silicosis:

http://www.osha.gov/Silica/it69a.html

I wore a dust mask when blasting away at the sand-blasting sand. :biggrin:

[Melody]

It was something about it not being safe for fish, but that could very well be where the rumour came from. :yes:

[hp10BII]

Can't say I've heard of that rumour then. I used sand-blasting sand on the advice of other long time users. It's been going well for over 2 years now. But as a precaution, I'll forbid my fishies from doing any unnecessary work with sand. :yes:

[Melody]

But as a precaution, I'll forbid my fishies from doing any unnecessary work with sand.

<Nodding wisely> I think that would be best, Mr. hp10BII.

:rofl:

[madattiver]

Do you have any pics of your tank with the play sand in it? I want to see what colour it is.

hp10BII, thanks for the tip. I definitely do not want white sand because it would be too hard to keep clean.

follow the link to my post... there are several pics of the tank with the play sand.

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=426

[thegrandpoohbah]

Thanks! The tank looks great. That sand is exactly the look I am after. What is the brand? Home Depot, here I come!

[madattiver]

I am not sure of the brand... but it was the only option there and i have boughten two bags.. one a few weeks ago.. and another around 2 years ago and both times it was the same stuff.