Silica Sand or Regular????? HELP PLEASE

[TehTANK]

Alright I am going to go pick my sand up today from Home Depot.

I am not sure which to get though. Should I get the while Silica Sand or the regular Play sand for Cichlids?????

[RobbieG]

I'm pretty sure its "best" to use the Silica sand for Hard water cichlids - but that either are OK

[Fishguy2727]

All sands are silica based (except for the specialty calcium carbonate sands sold for marine tanks). Most likely the play sand will be cleaner.

[SkarloeysMom]

I haven't used sand in a tank before but I've been buying it at Home Depot for years for my son's sand table. I found the nicest sand in the garden dept. in clear plastic bags labeled "Play sand." This is really fine, clean, almost white sand. It was only about $2 something for 50lbs. Before I found that, I had been buying the "play sand" in the paper bags for twice the price that they stock in the building materials section and it is not nearly as clean or fine and was kind of a tan color.

[Lady Hobbs]

Good tip! Thanks

[TehTANK]

Well I got the Silica sand. Right on the bag it says "Do not use for Aquariums" I asked the guy at Home Depot and he said it is because they don't prewash their sand and there might be some trace minerals that could harm the fish. He did also say that if it is for freshwater fish then I should be okay. So I picked up 3 40lb bags for my 90 gallon. Do you think I got to much? Also....I am worried it is going to kill the fish I get. I am thinking about taking it back.....what do you guys think?

[Lady Hobbs]

I would be concerned after reading that on the bag. The sand I got was not marked with any warning like that. To really be safe, I would return it and just get the Play Sand. Who knows, Frank. Maybe people bought this for there fish tanks and their was a problem which is why that warning is on the bag.

I don't know why they'd have a warning on the bag if it was just dirty. All sand needs some rinsing.

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OK......read this and not worried again. LOL

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[TehTANK]

Maybe your right. I don't know though. The guy at home depot said it would be fine for fresh water fish but not salt water. I just have to wash it really really well which is what I plan on doing.

[Lady Hobbs]

I did an edit at the same time you posted so read my post above yours.

[TehTANK]

That is so funny because that is the exact website that I saw yesterday before I went and got sand for the tank. I am not to worried. I am thinking about keeping it. I will to trial and error. I will only start out probably with a couple of fish and see how they do. I am getting good at breaking down and resetting up my tank. So all else fails......

Thanks Carol! You are the best!

[TehTANK]

By the calculator, I bought WAY to much sand. I bought 120lbs of sand because they came in 40lb bags. I read online a guy set up a 75 gallon with 100lbs of sand so I figured 120 would be enough but I guess I got way more then I needed. Looks like I am building sand castles this summer!

[nanaglen2001]

Hi

If you want to plant your tank you better another 90 lbs of sand, 180 lbs (a bit less than 90 kilo) will be enough for a planted tank. I have at least 110 Kilo(240 lbs) sand in my 110 gal. tank.

If you want to use that sand you bought, wash it extremely well, cause I think in it will be lots of dangerous chemical stuff.

One thing is funny, here in Germany its exactly vice versa.

Play sand shouldnt be used, cause its loaded with algae killer, and fine white silicate sand is recommended. You even can put it into your tank without washing it.

Weird weird.

[xoolooxunny]

Somebody mentioned, i think it was chrona, that play sand with the warning on it is there bc that same company makes aquarium sand. I used play sand from the building materials section and washed it well in a pillow case. I have had a bunch of fry living in that tank for about 2 months now, born there as well.

[TehTANK]

Pillow case! That is a awesome idea! I was going to use a bucket and just let the water run in it until it was clear. I might try the pilowcase thing. How did that work for you?

I am not going to have a planted tank. Just fake plants. So by the calculator I have to much and according to you I have not enough.

:ezpi_wink1:

[Lady Hobbs]

The more sand you use, the more air pockets so keep it as low as possible. I bought two bags for my 55 gallon and had too much. Bank it up higher in the areas you want to put plants and they will stay there. I think the silica looks prettier than the play sand, myself.

I think that warning is put on the bags because this sand is not sold for the purpose of fish tanks. If a problem occurred, this keeps the company from being held responsible.

Avons Skin So Soft was not made for mosquitos and horse flies, either, but it works great for them. I used to wash my horse in it. LOL

[xoolooxunny]

the pillow case worked pretty well, it got rid of a lot of the tiniest particles, took awhile tho. I did it in the garage basin sink, so i imagine it would go a lot quicker with a hose!

[Lady Hobbs]

Guess you could pour it in a nylon with the same results.

[TehTANK]

I think I will try the bucket first but if that doesn't work then I am going to try the pillow case. That is a great idea though! Thanks for sharing. I will be doing the washing and set up on Sunday.(next day off of work plus it is supposed to be nice out)

I think you are right Hobbs. They put it on the bag because they sell sand for aquariums specifically. I am not so worried about it anymore. I am sure it will work.

[Lady Hobbs]

Where in MI do you live Frank? Ya know, you could drive here and take his rotten angel off my hands. :)

[RobbieG]

There is a longstanding argument over the chemistry of Silica/Blasting sand. There are some people that say that using it in a reef or saltwater tank can lead to diatom blooms because if its high concentration of quartz (SiO2). It seems like the majority opinion is that proper tank care will nip this in the bud even if it is true. Here is a link to a page where both sides of the argument are presented.

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It is also possible for sand that comes from different areas to have different concentrations of trace minerals that could affect your water chemistry (Most likely PH or K.)

Most likely though the company that makes it wants to sell more of the much more expensive sand

[TehTANK]

Carol. I live in Ann Arbor. I don't remember where you said you live.
You have a rotten angel huh? Whats his problem? :) I am sure he would love hanging out in my 90 gallon paradise.

[TehTANK]

Well it was an interesting Sunday for me in regards to my tank. I went forward to change my substrate to sand. Boy was that a trip. So I started off trying to rinse the sandin a bucket....well that didn't work to well. So I moved to the pillow case idea. I did that and rinsed but I don't think I rinsed well enough because when I filled my tank up it was all murkey anc cloudy. I had to drain it and fill it and drain it and fill it till I could get some clear water in there. I have to today go home and stir the sand up to get the air pockets out. I have 2 really nice rock formations in there that I am going to have to tear down because I got way to excited and put them in before I stired things up. It has been crazy but a great learning experiance. I also think I have way to much sand in there right now. I am not going to be taking any out. I want to see how this goes first. I have to still cycle things but I am not going to start doing that till I can get the water completely clear. Right now I have a old aquaclear 70 on it trying to clear things up I guess. I still have to stir it up to get the air out so I am probably just wasting electricity. ANYWAY, it has been fun but my goal is to win TOTM when this is all said and done. Let me know if any of you have questions....

Frank

[Lady Hobbs]

I poured some in a bucket, run my fingers thru it to stir it up 3 times each bucket full. The cloudiness settles by itself once in the tank. Just don't get sand in your filter. When you stir it up let it settle down again before turning your filters on and make sure your uplift tube is a few inches from the gravel.

I am anxious to see your pictures!

[TehTANK]

That is why I am using a very old Aqua Clear 70. I am going to have to tear down my rock formations that I put up though and I love the way they look right now. I have to tear them down so i can stir up the sand. :( I just know I am not going to get the formations back the same way I have them in there. :(

[Lady Hobbs]

Why do you have to stir it up? Air pockets? I would think the rocks laying on the sand pushed any air pockets out already.

[TehTANK]

I see some dark brown spots along the glass. From what I read that means there are some air pockets right? I have Egg Crate in there to help disburse the weight. I am worried there might be air pockets in there too. I just don't want to have toxic gases in my tank....:)