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Hi,
First post after a couple of weeks lurking
I'm setting up a community tank that will have six or so bronze cories in and want to use a sandy base. Can anyone recommend a product available in the UK? I've heard SD Aquarium Sand mentioned but not been able to track it down...
I've bought a bag of Coral Sand by Under Water Products but some of the shell fragments in it look quite sharp. I'd also prefer something a bit darker (perhaps by mixing two colours? Or adding peat?). I'm also keen to make sure that it's inert as my tapwater (London) is already very hard and I'm not sure coral sand fits the bill.
Finally, I've been advised that very fine sand can clog the filter during tank cleaning. I'm planning on fitting a mesh to the inlet - should I worry?
Any help very welcome!
Sorry not from the UK so can't advise on brands and stores, but it does seem like the coral sand you have now would be inappropriate, even if mixed with other sand. It'll be hard to take out once you've put it in, so I'd just wait a bit until you find something more suitable.
As for sand causing problems with cleaning and filter, shouldn't be an issue if you keep the depth under say 1 cm.
HI skinnypaul the best sand in my opinion is BD sand even though it says it doesn't clog it does but it takes a lot longer than most sand, ie playpit sand, which still can be used if you have troble geting hold of BD. Is oxford close as the goldfish bowl is around that way? or ask you LFS to order you some, 5kg bag does a 24" by 12" layer, and costs about £3.50ish. DON'T USE CORAL SAND, (thats about as strong as you can but things useing the medium of communication) good look with the tank.
Thanks for the advice. Have had a look aound central London but not been able to track down BD sand. There's some unbranded aquarium sand in Aquatic Design Centre but I'm not sure how to tell whether it's inert - I suspect that if I ask they'll say yes regardless of whether it is or not...
Oxford's a bit far really for a bag of sand, though I'm tempted - it's cracking shop!
If I can't find anywhere online I guess I'll get the unbranded stuff.
Dinyar - I'm planning on putting down a fairly fine layer and planting with floating species and species that will grown on wood (anubis, java fern, java moss, etc) so I guess I should be OK. Maybe positioning the outlet midway up the sde of the tank will help too?
Anyhow - thanks again for your help. I'm sure I'll have some more questions as the tank progresses!
Last edited by skinnypaul on 20 Sep 2003, 11:13, edited 1 time in total.
If you are having problems locating BD Aquarium Sand let me know as I can put you in touch with the owner of the company who supplies the sand for your nearest stockist. You will not be disappointed with this product, it is very similar to trhe substrate seen on the 2000 fish collecting trip that Jools and I went on to Peru.
If all else fails, you can contact a local supplier of sand blasting sand and see what their selection would offer. We have a fairly smooth large grain sand that we get from them that is one of my favorites, and much cheaper than anything that's been "labelled" as an aquarium product. In my experience, as long as it doesn't fizz when you add vinegar to it, it won't affect your water's buffering capacity, so larger smooth grains would be all you really need
I use BD sand and I am very happy with it.
It doesnt clog like normal sand. I still run something through it every now and again to be sure. But it doesnt compact down in the same way.
In fact, I am going to buy another bag tomrrow for my 75gal tank.
