play sand

[orchidman]

can i put play sand in my brackish or fw tanks?

[xrayjeeper83]

You can, I did. But I would suggest Pool filter sand, its a little bit bigger in size and doesnt compact as mucbh

[pufferpuggirl]

Just to add, I've been using playsand in most of my tanks and I don't have any problems with it. I think it's a nice and cheap alternative to some of the more expensive sands out there. However, having said that, I did go out and buy some expensive sand for my miurus who likes to bury himself all the time because the play sand can be a bit "heavy" making it harder for him to bury into it. Otherwise though I think it's pretty good.

[orchidman]

okay! awesome! is it okay to add to, say a tank that has gravel in it now? so its like sand with some gravel sticking up? its hard for plants in the gravel plus, its shallow gravel

[xrayjeeper83]

just wash it really well before you add it. I dont see why you couldnt mix it with gravel

[orchidman]

alright cool

just any sand will work then?

[Brandon8521]

Playsand seems to be used alot (by me aswell) as a cheap alternative to the expensive name brand sands. Although there are alot of warnings around the internet cautioning people not to use it if you have fish that filter feed on the substrait (since silicat sand tends to be to sharp and can damage there mouths) and like previously stated for burrowing species (since it tends to compact and also is rather sharp if it gets in there gills and mouths while burrowing.)

[xrayjeeper83]

never heard those warnings but to late now

[pufferpuggirl]

Well actually, before I revamped Biscuit's tank (my Congo puffer), I had play-sand in there and he was able to bury himself alright, if you keep it stirred. But I changed things around and decided to give him nicer sand as I think he deserved it. But it did work, you just have to keep it stirred often to keep it from compacting. But I've got play-sand in some of my oldest tanks and it's doing fine and not causing any problems so far.

[RTR]

If you add sand atop existing gravel, eventually you will have that gravel over a layer of compacted and anaerobic sand which can destroy your tank. Smaller particles end up at the bottom, larger particles on the top - thus the sand moves down and the gravel up, due to the difference in particle size. The only way to block this is weekly full-depth vacuuming of the tank - which may pull all of your sand out with the removed water.

Not a good idea, don't shoot yourself in the foot..

[orchidman]

alright ill put all sand

[xrayjeeper83]

I would suggest pool filter just cause it is easier for them to dig and a bit bigger

[orchidman]

pool filter sand?

[xrayjeeper83]

you can get it from a pool supply store, it is a little bigger grain and doesnt compact as easy

[orchidman]

okay, i didnt even know pool filters had sand in them lol