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Hi just have a few quick question, I am getting a new 55 gallon this weekend, will do the proper cycle and stuff but was just wondering a few things,
I currently have had sand in my 30 gallon for years and had no problems and and want sand in my 55 and keep reading about pool filter sand, pool filter sand is safe to use or should I just stick with the playground sand,
I bought some black PVC plumbing elbows from a hardwear store to make caves with, going to use aquarium safe silicone on the outside to roll sand on to make it look realistic, question I have is should I boil these in water first and for how long
and last question a guy at work suggested i use to different filters, right now I have a unopened AquaClear 50 that I was going to use by it self but this guy said I should maybe look at also using a AquaClear 20 so my question is will just the AquaClear 50 work. The tank is going to be a tiger barb tank with some coolie loachs as well as a few cat fish that I havent quite decide on which ones yet.
Thanksin advance for all your help

The 50 won't be big enough, and the 20 definitely won't be big enough. I'd upgrade to at least the 70 for a 55. Then if you still want to have another filter either get a canister or go with the 20 or 50. I have a 50 on my 25 gallon planted tank with tiger barbs, danios, siamese algae eater, krib and otos.

I have read that pool filter sand may not be the best, but definitely get a second opinion on that. I have small natural gravel in my 10g and will be putting the same in my 25 in the spring. Sand can compact around plant roots, causing the plants to have problems, if you feel you need to have sand, then I'd get some malaysian trumpet snaile, they will 'aerate' the sand by tunnelling through it, they will not eat your plants, they will help with some algae.

Fish sound good to me, they should have plenty of room in that tank.

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