Sand as a substrate

ali12345 · Post by **ali12345** » 04 Jul 2006, 11:10

Hi,
I have got some spare childrens play sand. What would be the consequences of using this? Firstly is it suitable, secondly will it effect the water quality? I didn't think of using it until I read somewhere that someone else had used it but wanted to check more generally if it was good idea.
thanks
Alison

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 04 Jul 2006, 14:31

It works just fine. I've got it in two of my tanks at the moment, but I'll add more to other tanks when I redesign them...

Just don't lay it too thick unless you have something digging around in it. No diggers -> 3/4"/2cm maximum depth - otherwise you risk getting anaerobic breakdown in the sand where there is no oxygen and no stirring of the sand...

And you do need to wash the sand before you use it, just like with the prewashed aquarium gravel.

It won't affect the water quality, and as long as you don't have the filter inlet or outlet right next to the sand, it will be just fine.

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Mats

Post by **medaka** » 04 Jul 2006, 14:40

Hi Alison

I have got some spare childrens play sand. What would be the consequences of using this? Firstly is it suitable, secondly will it effect the water quality?

Unfortunately you havenâ??t listed in your profile your location, so I can only advise on UK play pit Sand.

I use play pit sand in nearly all my tanks as a substrate, mainly because it isnâ??t as expensive as buying aquarium sand from your LFS.
Play pit sand has to be non-toxic by law in the UK & I think this also applies in member countries of the EEC, so that children are safe to play with it. Some brands actually state this on the bags; another high street brand also states that it has a neutral pH. I have used high street brand play pit sand for some 6 years now and I have never had any problems in toxic poisoning or variable pH. All of my catfish that like to â??grubâ?? around in the substrate also benefit, as play pit sand is gentler on the barbels in comparison to some gravel substrate, and therefore do not get worn away to the point where they appear to be nothing more than stumps, which detracts from their overall beauty.

ali12345 · Post by **ali12345** » 04 Jul 2006, 15:56

Thanks. I am in the uk. Good to hear lots of you are happy with it. I'll give it a go.
Alison

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 04 Jul 2006, 16:16

ali12345 wrote:Thanks. I am in the uk. Good to hear lots of you are happy with it. I'll give it a go.
Alison

You could add the fact that you're in the UK to your profile, that way we wouldn't have to guess and/or give advice not knowing if it's valid for where you live...

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Mats

ali12345 · Post by **ali12345** » 04 Jul 2006, 16:20

ok will do.
Alison

Dorad · Post by **Dorad** » 04 Jul 2006, 18:02

Hi,

Although slightly more expensive but far better in my opinion is BD Aquarium Sand which is available at most good retailers. The owner of the company is a very good friend of mine and I have been using and plugging the product in aquatic magazines for a few years now. It is the closest product to the sand substrate encountered during our fish collecting trip to Peru in July 2000.

If you need information on where to purchase it from please let me know.

Regards

Chris

Judazzz · Post by **Judazzz** » 04 Jul 2006, 19:58

Have you considered adding a few good handfulls of fine gravel to the sand: in my opinion it makes the tank look even better (more natural) than just sand.
Just a suggestion

Post by **medaka** » 04 Jul 2006, 21:56

Dorad wrote

Although slightly more expensive but far better in my opinion is BD Aquarium Sand which is available at most good retailers.

Apart from plugging your friends product, can you explain, in what way is it better?

BTW this is what I use

play pit sand

FuglyDragon · Post by **FuglyDragon** » 05 Jul 2006, 04:44

I use sand in several of the tanks in my fish room. I find it easier to keep clean than gravel (especially on lower tanks with less gravity to get a good gravel cleaning suction going), and better for cory catfish barbels. I agree a small amount of fine gravel mixed in gives a more natural look.