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Can sand be used for a FW tank?

Yes it can. Play sand or pool sand are good choices since they are silica based and won't buffer or raise the pH

If you are looking for buffering capabilities onyx sand works, and so does SW sand.

There are also expensive sand like Tahitian moon which is pretty and black, but costs $$$

Yes, Sand is fine with FW Tanks. Don't get sea Sand, but buy the Sand from LFS.

What type of tank are you going to have?.


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actually buying play sand at Lowes or a hardware store would be the cheapest method of aquiring sand since it is like $5 for a 50lb bag. Find a pool supply store as tehy will have pool filter sand which will be whiter than play sand.

Blasting sand I would not recommend since it has sharp edges that can be horrible for bottom dwellers.

I'm not sure what i'm doing with it yet. I'm still in the first stages of decisions i.e. substrate, air stones and placement too.

Yes it can be used.
If you are thinking of plenty of plants it could be a problem as it does not give enough space between the fine grains of sand and therefore many plants die in sand.

Sand can also be hard on some filters the fine grains can cut the impellars to pieces very quickly.

I think you will find if members are honest there are more disadvantages using sand than using a natural coloured substrate 2-3mm in size.

Have a look in [link=My Profile]http://
www.fishprofiles.com/interactive/forums/profile.asp?userid=6741" style="COLOR: #00FF00[/link] for my tank info

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Keith

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i bought some colored sand in the walmart home and garden section for $0.98 for a 50 lb bag, you might check that out?
i've had it in my 29 gallon for about 6 months, just make sure you rake it, once you put it in. so that bacteria doesnt get trapped underneath..

and if you do get sand, make sure to wash it beforehand, i put mine in a 5 gallon bucket fill it half way with water, and the empty the top layer and do that a couple times til the water stays a clear color.

*Chelle*
_______________________________________________
I love the fishes cuz they're SOOO delicious...

I have to go with Keith on this one. Thumbs down on sand for the above mentioned. Get reasonable substrate like suggested.

Furthermore, you still haven't answer the question asked to you : What is that tank for. I can understand that you are in the planing stage but you must have an idea of what kind of fish you wish to house in there.

When shopping for a house, you don't start by shopping for door knobs ! Just kidding, but you understand what I mean. Help us a bit here.

Cheers !

Sponge

Hi,
Before you go much further I suggest you read this article
about substrates:
[link=http://home.infinet.net/teban/substrat.htm]http://home.infinet.net/teban/substrat.htm" style="COLOR: #FF00FF[/link]

Each one has its advocates/detractors and pros/cons.
Pick out the one or two that seem to fit your
situation and then ask again mentioning your choices.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Fluorite :88)

Playsand and such are not without their risks. Wanting cheap sand is the reason I had to treat my tank for leeches. Apparently they survive being dried and will quite happily reappear when the sand is wet again. Mostly I use eco complete because it looks closer to sand but doesn't have any of the problems. It won't compact as easily, is full of nutrients for plants, and none of the particles will float up into the water column when disturbed so it won't cloud the tank and ruin filters even if you don't rinse it. To me it also looks tons better than flourite or gravel. I very much prefer sand to gravel but sand can be such a pain.

If you want to stick with sand I do suggest buying sand that has been prepared for an aquarium or have a bottle of caprisorb on hand. Caprisorb is a copper solution made by Seachem that can be filtered out easier by chemical filtration without leaving a copper residue behind like most copper treatments. Otherwise tanks treated with copper usually can't house inverts such as snails or shrimp at least for awhile.
Also rinse the sand alot. I rinsed mine until all that was left sank within 10seconds of stirring it. Then I rinsed it a few more times. It took nearly an hour to get enough sand to fill the bottom of a 5g tank. Sand already prepared for the aquarium will also be less dusty than the cheaper alternatives and so take less rinsing time but still it won't be ready instantly. Not rinsing enough means you'll probably be buying a new impeller for your filter within a few weeks.

For me the cost of cheap sand does not out weigh the amount of work it requires. Eco complete or tahitian moon sand have always been well worth the money I spent.

Play sand or pool sand are good choices since they are silica based

Silica sands will give you a couple of months of brown algae. It'll die off eventually but will be an eyesore for a couple of months.

---

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Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability.

and don't breathe it either.

Ok I have decided against the sand, and gotten you run of the mill LFS gravel. As far as the tank goes, it will basically just be a community tank. Some Tetras, Rasboras and probably some catfish, and i'm sure more. I haven't fully thought about the stock list yet. I have 3 pieces of driftwood, about 18 assorted fake plants varying in size from 6" - 16" and some airstones and pump on order. Plus a Lg. rock I have already gotten. I'll post some pics when I recieve my order and actually put everything in the tank.