Play Sand?

[Corndawg]

Wanted to get anyones opinions on play sand. Especially those of you who have used it. I got a free bag of Pavestone Play Sand. Looks like sand with some small rock pebbles in it. Im looking into using this for my 5gal hex. Have red gravel in there now which looks good too, but would like to give sand a try. But Im also thinking, since its a small tank, should I just go with the aqaurium sand? As I could probably spend $10-$15 for how much I need, including being able to pick a color. Anyone have any opinions on which route I should take? Looking for it to be as hassle free as possible to maintain.

What it looks like after cleaning...
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Corndawg]

Or how well would a mix a playsand + gravel do?

[DrNic]

I've beed thinking about transfering a couple of my tanks to sand as well so I've done some research on it. Although I don't know anything about that type of sand in particular, from what I understand that type of 'mixed sand' usually works out pretty well after it has been washed. There are 2 things to look out for though. (1) Some play sands will put small beads of non-toxic preservative into the sand to keep bacteria from growing. Although it doesn't hurt kids it can kill fish. (2) Becuase of the mineral content some sands will dissolve into fresh water and cause the hardness to go WAY up.

If you have some of the sand on hand you might want to setup a small test tank (or even just use a large vase) with a couple of fish. See how the fish do and watch the harndess (and other parameters) of the water.

[Corndawg]

I have the 1.5 gal that is not in use. dont have a filter or fish even I could put in it atm. Would just putting sand in the water and letting it settle help any? And checking the hardness after how long?...

PS
Harness from my tap water reads about 150ppm Total hardness (GH)
seems a lil high as it is

[dancethenparty]

i did research on it too. i eventually choose aquarium sand. here's what my research lead to:

play sand
A) what Nic said
b)you have to really really clean it
c) i don't like the way it looks
D) other people have said that since it's not made for aquariums, it should not be put into aquariums.
e)easier to clean because it's clumpier and does not pick up much
f)cheap
aquarium sand
A) it's made for aquariums and so should be used in aquariums
b) can have harmful something called argonite in it?
c)it's picks up really easy
d)pre-cleaned

[lovleeko]

I use play sand in one of my tanks. I love it and plan to use it another one of my tanks soon. My water is so soft it barley even reads on a tester. I love it, love it, love it. Though that sand you took a picture of doesn't look like play sand. It's pretty though. I use quickcrete's brand of play sand.

[TazManiac]

I have always used pool filter sand from the local pool and spa shop, washed well. Looks good, sinks well, cleans easily.

[Corndawg]

I have always used pool filter sand from the local pool and spa shop, washed well. Looks good, sinks well, cleans easily.

Does it come in any certain colors? And I know there is different sizes? Whats the best one to use?

[bushwhacker]

i like the look of that sand with the small gravel in it oh yeah 2 tanks both with quikcrete playsand

[lovleeko]

I have always used pool filter sand from the local pool and spa shop, washed well. Looks good, sinks well, cleans easily.


Is it safe for bottom feeders? I was thinking of doing a tank with it too because I wanted some variety and now that I have put sand in one tank, I just dont care for gravel anymore.

[Corndawg]

Well washed a little of the sand, and added to my lil 1.5gal. Settled very nicely and dosent look bad at all. Think im gonna go ahead and throw in in the 5gal tonight if I find the time, if I dont like, will change to pool sand sometime in the future,.

[Lady Hobbs]

I used the play sand, decided I wanted the white stuff so took the play sand out and now I wish I had it back. It's easy to clean with the vac, doesn't easily get sucked up and is cheap. I cleaned each pail full of it about 3 times then said to heck with that noise. I just poured it dry in the tank, did two water changes and that was it. My tank was clear in hours.

Clears up especially fast if you jam your filter full of floss.

[Corndawg]

Yeah goin with the playsand for now, but one more question. For the air stone, does it need to be under the sand or will that cause to much stir?

[Lady Hobbs]

I wouldn't put it under the sand and I would also make sure your filter tube is about 4 inches up from the sand. Hacksaw works great for that little job. I hide my airstones behind stuff and pile rocks on it.

[Corndawg]

As far as a filter tube, I just use a Whisper 10i, so its all in there. But the inlet is about... halfway down the tank. So theres a good 6in between that and substrate

[TazManiac]

Does it come in any certain colors? And I know there is different sizes? Whats the best one to use?

The stuff that I got was a pretty neutral colour. Not white, more of a yellowy/creamy sort of colour. I have heard, but not seen, that it comes in black too and looks really nice. I'm not sure that it would come in many colours though as it is meant to be stuffed into a filter for a pool and not seen.

Is it safe for bottom feeders? I was thinking of doing a tank with it too because I wanted some variety and now that I have put sand in one tank, I just dont care for gravel anymore.

I had cories with this sand and they loved it. The grain size was small enough and it was not sharp at all.

[lovleeko]

I had cories with this sand and they loved it. The grain size was small enough and it was not sharp at all.


Okay, thanks!

[Corndawg]

Well got it done finally. Had no problems. Sand settled within an hour. I think it looks better than the bright red gravel did. My betta swam around for about an hour checkin out the sand. HE seems to be happy with it. He kept tryin to get in the pictures lol.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[gm72]

Looks like I'm late to the party on this one, but just to chime in, I have play sand in a 40 gallon long planted tank. No problems, love it very much. No problem for the yoyo loaches and their barbels, either.

[fishbum]

It looks great!Good choice.I have a playsand cory tank and I love it.I also have a black aquarium sand tank.To tell the truth,I can't tell a bit of difference between the 2,other than the cost,and the color selection.

[Stones]

Correct me if im wrong, pool filter sand = silica sand? Just want to clarify that :)

[lovleeko]

Yup thumbs2:


Correct me if im wrong, pool filter sand = silica sand? Just want to clarify that :)

[Lady Hobbs]

Looks good. Just don't go too deep with it or you'll get gas pockets in there.