What kind of sand to get for Freshwater?

[JaredCBell]

Well I have black gravel in there right now but apparently petsmart uses gravel that has been painted. So some of the paint is coming off and I have a bunch of random pink and blue rocks in my aquarium now. WHy would they paint already colored rocks? Weird....Anyways, I need some sand. I want to go as white as possible. Or the white sand that has some black speckling in it. If that makes sense....

I went to lowes today and they had a 50lb bag of white sand for 8 dollars, but I dont know if that is ok for an aquarium. Suggestions?

[teach]

That should work fine im planning on changeing to that in the next couple days.

[Wild Turkey]

It should be does it say "pool sand" or "play sand" if so then it should be good, just be careful u dont want sand that binds to anything like quickcrete (i know, but some employee totally pointed that way once). If you want black speckles you can add black gravel after, but i would get new gravel since the paint is coming off...and avoid that brand maybe that store all together if possible.

[Northernguy]

I would go with an aquarium sand if you can find it.
Pool filter sand is probably cheaper but needs lots of cleaning:c3:

[Wild Turkey]

I would go with an aquarium sand if you can find it.
Pool filter sand is probably cheaper but needs lots of cleaning:c3:

Whats the difference? ive held both in my hand and i cant tell any, except the 20X price tag. If you know of a difference itd be good to know since im about to buy a bunch more very soon

(im assuming by pool filter sand u mean the stuff that comes for around 5$/50 lbs i dont have a pool but im told that are they same sand)

[Northernguy]

There is a difference besides the price! I may have read about it in Fishguys blog.
LOL I am going with pool sand myself.

[Wild Turkey]

hehehe :laugh1blue: :19:

[Sir Tristen]

I use silica sand (pool filter sand) 20 grit. It is very white and didn't require all that much rinsing and doesn't cloud my water. I have had no problems. There is a link to a pic of my tank in the sig.

[JaredCBell]

where can i get the pool filter sand? and almost all the sand at lowes was the quickrete.... but i thought that was just a brand? is it no good? iwant 20 grit white pool filter sand !!!!!!

[Kula]

where can i get the pool filter sand? and almost all the sand at lowes was the quickrete.... but i thought that was just a brand? is it no good? iwant 20 grit white pool filter sand !!!!!!
At any pool supply store :)

I use Estes Marine Sand because I wanted black sand with a bit of light sand mixed into it. So if you want another color mixed into the sand, you can buy a bag or two or whatever of Estes Marine Sand! I know some people think it's expensive, but I think it's totally worth it. For example, when the sand gets kicked up, it falls right back into place like gravel - what's great about that is I don't have to worry about it destroying my filter. It also doesn't create a problem with silica content of the water - which I read can be a problem with other types of sand. The grains are also very round and don't tightly pack.

[Wild Turkey]

Yea quickcrete sand binds to stuff so its no good. You can get the regular kind at the hardware store its just gonna be called either pool sand or play sand, either is safe.

Quickcrete is fast drying cement.

[Fishguy2727]

Yes, since Estes' Marine Sand is made specifically for aquarium use it is different. Grain size is more uniform, it requires no cleaning, it is heavy so it is hard to disturb and when it is disturbed it sinks immediately. It is also coated with a polymer to prevent the silica from causing big brown algae problems, something you at least risk if not ask for with other sands. And at about the same price as gravel, if you can afford gravel you can afford sand made for aquariums and cut out a lot of hassle and risk. Estes' also comes in numerous colors so you can get what you want. I use a black and white mix in almost all of my tanks, not too dark or light and a very natural look.

Some people have lucked out and gotten non-aquarium sands that worked out, others ended up with sand that was so bad they simply removed it.

[Northernguy]

Thanks Fishguy,I could not remember the name Este's lastnight but I knew there was a difference.

[Kula]

Thanks Fishguy,I could not remember the name Este's lastnight but I knew there was a difference.
You're welcome.

[Lady Hobbs]

I just bought 200 lbs of Quikrete white sand and hate it! No way can you keep it clean and it's so light and fine that it gets sucked up in the vac. Play sand I could vac easily. I also noticed because it's so fine that it packs down very hard.

Now I'm stuck with it and will probably miss gravel with it so it doesn't pack down so darned tight.

[Nightside_Eclipse]

Play sand is great.

50lbs for 3 bucks. :c3:

[Sir Tristen]

Just ask the Lowes or Home Depot, or other hardware store guys for 20 grit silica sand. That's what the pool filter guy told me he used. That's what's in my tank. I really like it. It sinks fast. Doesn't stir up easily. Doesn't get sucked up by the vacuum. Only thing is, I would prefer a bit darker next time. But I don't want an finer grained sand than I have. The price was right, so I just stuck with it, and I do like it.

[terrapin24h]

i just put sand in my shrimp tank, and used black tahitian moon sand i bought at petsmart for $20. The largest difference between "aquarium" and non sand is going to be grain size and variance of grain size(and therefore the "dust" that the non aquarium sand tends to have) Based on my research aquarium sand will need less rinsing and will settle faster when put in and when disturbed. My experience with the moon sand substantiates this. However, if you get a coarse play or pool sand you should have the same effect if you rinse it more. Also, put something over your filter intake to catch any sand grains that are suspended in the water so as not to get impellar grind. I really like the black sand, it's going to look sharp when i get critters in the tank

--chris

[Northernguy]

:19: I will be waiting for the pics you forgot to mention that are going to be posted soon!:hmm3grin2orange:

[kazinvan]

This is what I use, got it at the local fish store. Wasn't cheap but like play sand but it's not something you replace a lot so I didn't mind the expense. It is big grains that can be siphoned and don't clog filters. It also came very clean, didn't need washing.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Wiggs]

At any pool supply store :)

I use Estes Marine Sand because I wanted black sand with a bit of light sand mixed into it. So if you want another color mixed into the sand, you can buy a bag or two or whatever of Estes Marine Sand! I know some people think it's expensive, but I think it's totally worth it. For example, when the sand gets kicked up, it falls right back into place like gravel - what's great about that is I don't have to worry about it destroying my filter. It also doesn't create a problem with silica content of the water - which I read can be a problem with other types of sand. The grains are also very round and don't tightly pack.


Can you get this at any Pool supply store? or a large chain pet store like Petsmart? Reason i ask is that my plan for a tank is going to include a sand substrate and I think that I would like to go that route for added convenience.

[Wild Turkey]

That looks liek quick-crete sand. I actually think its "quikcrete" or something but Cemex sounds like it might be the same stuff. I hear it binds to stuff more easily thats why i dont use it but i dont have any first hand experience. It came real clean because its made to be mixed with concrete.

[Fishguy2727]

We carry it at the LFS I work at. Are there any small pet shops around? I have not seen it or any Estes' products at Petsmart, but even if they don't carry it most smaller shops are happy to special order things like this.

[kazinvan]

That looks liek quick-crete sand. I actually think its "quikcrete" or something but Cemex sounds like it might be the same stuff. I hear it binds to stuff more easily thats why i dont use it but i dont have any first hand experience. It came real clean because its made to be mixed with concrete.

It was sold at my LFS, and they use it in all of their tanks. I think it's primary function is for sand blasting, not concrete. It's very dry in the bag and so far hasn't caused any binding in the tank at all. It's actually very loose and flows easily but can still be siphoned. I think it's a great product.

[Wild Turkey]

It was sold at my LFS, and they use it in all of their tanks. I think it's primary function is for sand blasting, not concrete. It's very dry in the bag and so far hasn't caused any binding in the tank at all. It's actually very loose and flows easily but can still be siphoned. I think it's a great product.

Must be something else then, just assumed since the name is Cemex, thats confusing if not.

[kazinvan]

I agree, had the same questions when they were selling it to me. But the owner is great, even gave me a siphon demo in her tank to see how it works.

Here are a couple of quick photos to show you what it looks like.

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Fishguy2727]

That is just a small gravel, not really a sand.

[kazinvan]

One can say that sand is 'really small gravel' versus just 'small gravel'. There is no obvious point when gravel becomes sand and vice versa. To me, this acts a lot more like sand than traditional gravel.

[Fishguy2727]

I consider sand smaller than gravel, too small to trap debris and require vacuuming, too small to use a Python on.

And in Geology there are specific size ranges for gravel and sand, but I can't remember the exact point.

[ERK419]

All my tanks have white sand. I get it at lowes its play sand 50 pound bag for 3 something. Don't waste you money on "aquarium" sand its a waste of money.

[Wild Turkey]

All my tanks have white sand. I get it at lowes its play sand 50 pound bag for 3 something. Don't waste you money on "aquarium" sand its a waste of money.


Pretty much my take on the whole thing, as long as its clean and cheap im happy. I just bought 60 lbs for $8 an hour ago.

[Fishguy2727]

Have you used aquarium sand?

Again, some people are lucky enough to have good cheapo sand available, others do not. Many have tried it and had an assortment of problems, some so bad they had to remove it completely. Having success with one particular type does not mean everyone who ever uses cheapo sand will be as successful.

[Wild Turkey]

I can see your point here. But that 60lbs would have cost me at least 50 dollars at the aquarium store, so if i encountered serious problems, i could see trying it, but not first at that cost.

[Fishguy2727]

I personally see no issue. It costs about as much as gravel. If you are willing to buy gravel from the LFS then why not sand? Except this one requires no cleaning, is known to be safe, and comes in multiple colors.

Good luck to anyone who chooses to go with non-aquarium sands.

[teach]

I love heated debates lol. I just went to sutherlands and bought 100lbs of play sand(i only used 50) and it seems to work great it was already washed and said on the bag that it would work for aquariums. I didnt even was it and it looks great so far just a lil cloudy. heres a pic of mine

[JaredCBell]

so i got white silica sand from Lowes. Its 100lbs for 7 dollars....lol. I can fill like 30 tanks this much. So was this a good decision or no?

[Wild Turkey]

so i got white silica sand from Lowes. Its 100lbs for 7 dollars....lol. I can fill like 30 tanks this much. So was this a good decision or no?

IMO, yup...:thumb: love ur icon btw

[Kula]

so i got white silica sand from Lowes. Its 100lbs for 7 dollars....lol. I can fill like 30 tanks this much. So was this a good decision or no?
Only time can tell. Hopefully it works out.

[Kula]

All my tanks have white sand. I get it at lowes its play sand 50 pound bag for 3 something. Don't waste you money on "aquarium" sand its a waste of money.
Uh, maybe you should try reading what Fishguy2727 and I posted.

[fraggle]

Can't get Estes Marine here down under, found this joint [Only Registered Users Can See Links.] do you think that the coloured snad that they have would be alright? Or just go with the natural stuff?

[Fishguy2727]

You may want to try a little on a small tank first to see how it goes.

[james481]

I put my vote in for 3M ColorQuartz Type S. Small, uniform grain size that doesn't compact or trap gas pockets, sinks quickly and is easy to clean with a siphon, comes in a variety of colors, and is epoxy coated to prevent mineral leaching. It's not as cheap as pool filter sand, but you can get it in black. Cheaper than Estes sand and, unlike Tahitian Moon Sand (which is actually an industrial glass byproduct) completely safe for bottom dwellers. I paid about $25 / 50 lbs. Great stuff!

[Wild Turkey]

Whered you get it james? That sounds like a good middle ground between the cheap stuff and shelling out way too much for not much difference if at all.

[Kula]

I don't know how much you guys see Estes' Marine Sand going for, but I found it here for something like $5 for a 5 lb bag.

[Wild Turkey]

I don't know how much you guys see Estes' Marine Sand going for, but I found it here for something like $5 for a 5 lb bag.

Yea thats pretty typical, here its about 10 cents more a pound, but everything here is expensive.

[Northernguy]

I would like to use Estes but I don't know if its available up here.
Shipping for sand probably wouldn't be cheap either!

[Fishguy2727]

I think the 3M is actually the exact same thing as Estes', just not packaged for aquariums.

[Wiggs]

I'm gonna look around tomorrow after work for some sand, try to find a place that carries Estes if possible, if not I'll probably check out some different types or myself.

[james481]

Whered you get it james? That sounds like a good middle ground between the cheap stuff and shelling out way too much for not much difference if at all.

3M ColorQuartz From vbpstore.com ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])

I got mine here. $38 (gone up a bit) for a 50lbs bag including shipping, plus they ship it to you in a free five gallon construction style bucket. Not a bad deal overall...

[Northernguy]

Any Canadians know where to get Este's sand?