Sand as a substrate

[Tigerbarb]

Would it be safe to use beach sand (store bought, not collected) as a substrate for a fish tank?

[Kuli_Loach]

I would only recommend sandbox sand or silica sand for substrate besides the sand meant to be a substrate.

[elmer]

Be careful if your fish need soft or acidic water, since beach sand can affect water parameters somewhat. I tested some construction sand with vinegar and it bubbled.

[Tigerbarb]

I am talking about beach sand available in pet stores, which seems pretty safe. How do you run the vinegar test anyway?

[shockshockshad]

put a little vinegar on it, and if it bubbles, it contains calcerous (sp?) material, which raises the pH, and makes the water hard.

[Lady Hobbs]

Playsand has already been sterilized since it's used for childrens areas. But if you're buying it from the fish store, it is safe for use with fish. Just rinse it well and turn off the filters until it settles.

[Tigerbarb]

Okay, that plan will work out well, because I might be getting an aquarium setup for christmas and then going on vacation the next day, so whille im on vacation there will be time for the filter to run and the bacteria to grow along with algae.

[Fishguy2727]

What kind fo sand is it exactly? There are many type sof marine sands that are not good for many freshwater tanks.

What types of fish are you wanting?
What pH does your tap water hold at?

[gm72]

Okay, that plan will work out well, because I might be getting an aquarium setup for christmas and then going on vacation the next day, so whille im on vacation there will be time for the filter to run and the bacteria to grow along with algae.

Bacteria will only grow with an ammonia source. Please read the sticky on fishless cycling.

[nanaglen2001]

I use silica sand bought in those DIY stores, in all my tanks. Works perfectly for me, even my plants grow.

And if you take a closer look at pics made in Amazonas River areas, you will almost allways find sand as substrate. ANd that water is quite acid.

Of course the sand should be perfectly clean before added.

[stunner]

Even if the sand comes from a petstore, it could be wrong type for your aquarium. If it's marine sand it is meant to have a buffering ability and will raise your pH. So I'd check the type of sand it is and talk to the guys at the store. I use play sand from homedepot. It was like 6 dollars for a 50 pound bag; BUT, it took a LOT of washing to get it clean enough for my tastes. There's a lot of silt (I think) in it.

[Lady Hobbs]

I stand corrected and fishguy and stunner is correct. When you said beach sand, I did not take into consideration sand with coral stone in it that will raise your pH. They are labeled as such so, yes, by all means make sure it has no coral stones in it.

I also get my sand from Home Depot. It's labeled as PlayBox sand. I rinsed each bucket full 3 times, filled the tank and then did one more big water change. It cleaned up within hours.

One 50 lbs bag does my 55 gallon tank.

[gm72]

I think you would be hard pressed to find beach sand that did not contain coral stone and/or shells that could affect pH and/or hardness.

Lady has a great suggestion for the play box sand. Cheap and it works! :thumb:

[Tigerbarb]

Bacteria will only grow with an ammonia source. Please read the sticky on fishless cycling.
How can I get an ammonia source? I don't think buying fish and going on vacation the next day is the way to go: Who knows what will have happened when I get back.

[gm72]

Fishless cycling all the way. Humane. Easy. Fast. Refer to the sticky post on the subject for details.

[Tigerbarb]

I have now set up my aquarium. See my topic in the Beginning freshwater topic at [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]