Aquarium sand for new tank, questions..

[canuck]

I recently purchased a 29 gallon tank and hope to set it up soon. My current tank is smaller (16 gallon) with aquarium gravel. I have neons, cardinals, cories and ottos.

With my new tank I am considering aquarium sand. I hear that you have to clean it differently with a gravel vac. Poke holes to release derbis and hover vac over to suck it up?

With my new tank, once the water quality is excellent, cycled etc, I plan on placing all of the above fish in the new tank.

Do neons, cardinals do okay with a sand bottom? Not hard on their gills? I heard catfish like sand? Does aquarium sand clog up filters (I have an aqua clear filter)?

What about live plants and sand? I have a water sprite and two amazon swords which I plan on transfering to the new tank.

The price is around $9.95 canadian for a 5 pound bag of aquarium sand at pet stores.

I'm not sure if there is only one type of aquarium sand or should I be looking for a specific type?

Thanks for your help! :)

[rich311k]

Be sure the sand is inert. You do not want any coral or argonite based sands, they will buffer your water. A cheaper alternative is playsand or pool filter sand.

You fish will do fine with a sand substrate.

[doug z]

With my new tank I am considering aquarium sand. I hear that you have to clean it differently with a gravel vac. Poke holes to release derbis and hover vac over to suck it up?

Just hover the vac over the sand.. That's all.. No need to poke..

Do neons, cardinals do okay with a sand bottom? Not hard on their gills? I heard catfish like sand? Does aquarium sand clog up filters (I have an aqua clear filter)?

Yes, no, yes, and no.. :)

Even with cannister filters as long as the suction is at least 2" from the substrate you don't need to worry about getting it in the suction..

I'm not sure if there is only one type of aquarium sand or should I be looking for a specific type?

What colour do you want? If black, then I would get CaribSea Tahitian Moon Sand...

[Garrett]

I have to echo the play sand sentiment. It's cheap and looks natural. Three or four bucks for a fifty pound bag, you'll have more than enough for a tank that size.

[Aeonflame]

I prefer pool filter sand.. its coarser and a lot easier to wash

[Fishguy2727]

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Please read "Sand as a Substrate."

[Northernguy]

I am also a pool filter sand fan!
If you were to see the price of Este's sand uyp here you would be too! lol
I have no filter problems or fish problems from it.thumbs2:

[bushwhacker]

and it works great for plants too,
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]