playsand vs pool filter sand

Discuss & learn about Mbu, Fahaka, Mappa & other giant puffers.
Post Reply
sw10mm
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 116
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:01 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Fahaka
Location (country): United states
Location: Michigan

playsand vs pool filter sand

Post by sw10mm »

Well the headline states it all what do you use? Play sand is cheap but messy and I hear fahakas can bury.... pool filter sand is a lil expensive (to fill a. 220 gal tank) but hear it doesn't compact or should I do pebbles or small colored rocks? Was thinking red but 11 bucks for 20 lbs idk.... I havee about hundred dollars and I'm open to suggestions to what will make my fahaka happy and go. od color
User avatar
sgtmyers88
Moderator
Posts: 1292
Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:37 am
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Green Spotted Puffers
Location (country): USA
Contact:

Re: playsand vs pool filter sand

Post by sgtmyers88 »

This was my old 55 gallon brackish aquarium for my GSP's. Used 2.5 bags of Play Sand priced at $3.98.

Image

I also have a 10 gallon aquarium using the other .5 bag of sand for my Dwarf Puffers.

Image

Total substrate cost was $12-$15 for 65 gallons total. You should have plenty of funds to invest in other items such as plants and other types of decor.

The Fahaka is gonna make a mess either way. I say go with what looks better for your budget. Just make sure to stir the substrate when doing water changes. (mind it may not be needed with a Fahaka constantly stirring it up lol)
WARNING: Puffers are mischievous little blimps with enchanting powers. You may not be content with having just one.
gdsentropy
Puffer Fry
Posts: 42
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:32 pm
Location (country): USA

Re: playsand vs pool filter sand

Post by gdsentropy »

sw10mm wrote:Well the headline states it all what do you use? Play sand is cheap but messy and I hear fahakas can bury.... pool filter sand is a lil expensive (to fill a. 220 gal tank) but hear it doesn't compact or should I do pebbles or small colored rocks? Was thinking red but 11 bucks for 20 lbs idk.... I havee about hundred dollars and I'm open to suggestions to what will make my fahaka happy and go. od color
I am unsure if this information sufficiently answers your inquiry, so take this for what it is worth.

"Sand" generally is SiO2 unless it is targeted for marine applications.
"Sand" within the domain of use in Reef and Marine fish will hopefully consist primarily of CaCO3.

At this point your decision tree consists of the following considerations:
1) Grain size
2) Grain "smoothness"
3) Targeted aquatic environment

Accepting that play/silicate sand will release Silicates into the water column, and that Aragonite/Coral gravel will affect general alkalinity and PH while reacting with acids thus producing many Calcium and Carbonate compounds as a result of the Calcium<=>Phosphorous cycle, your main objective is then reduced to facilitating the habits of your average puffer.

Given the proclivities of a normal puffer trend towards the interaction of the animal with the substrate for a variety of reasons, my advice is to select a medium which is both smooth and chemically appropriate to the natrual environment of your friend.

The properties of any given substrate from a minimal packing volume perspective can be deceptive and insidious.

Keep in mind that for any given amount of poop that your puffer will produce, the volume per unit time of water circulation at the column/substrate interface must be sufficient to prevent poop aggregation and the formation of anaerobic zones.

Hydrogen sulfide is not ok, but will be produced [along with N2] if your substrate is of too small a granular consistency, too great a depth and of a water column/substrate flow exposure time insufficient to facilitate the diffusion of both the undesirable nutrients and the oxygen required to process them.

I am in the process of falling asleep as I write this, but fairly decent research on this subject has been performed in a marine context, though the principals elucidated therein are probative to both your question and the body of my response.

I shall be happy to present an aggregate of links supporting my assertions as time allows this week; I truly practice my belief that one should not blindly accept unfalsifiable claims, and that any advice given with direct or potential critical application be supported by empirical reference to operative theory validated through corollary documented outcome.

....And yes, I do speak as I write, much to the confounded chagrin of my coworkers and subordinates.

I hope my answer clears up any questions you might have had, and not in a "clear as mud" sort of way. :lol:

A lot of the references below target a Marine environment, but much of the same logic still applies.

References and Suggested reading [also see my post in the 300g tank thread of mine for more]:

Nutrient Cycles [Beyond the Nitrogen Cycle]
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/nutrient-cycles

Sandbed calculator
http://reefkeeping.com/index.php/sand-bed-calculator

Phosphorus Cycle
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/ ... horus.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphorus_cycle
http://www.skepticalaquarist.com/phosphate-cycle

Feature Article: Silica In Reef Aquariums
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/1/aafeature1

Aquarium Chemistry: Nitrate in the Reef Aquarium
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/8/chemistry

Chemistry And The Aquarium: Phosphorus: Algae's Best Friend
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/9/chemistry

Marine Fish Poop -- A Major Calcium Carbonate Mud Source?
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/ma ... mud-source

An Experimental Comparison of Sandbed and Plenum-Based Systems. Part 1: Controlled lab dosing experiments
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature

An Experimental Comparison of Sandbed and Plenum-Based Systems: Part 2: Live Animal Experiments
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/7/aafeature
Last edited by gdsentropy on Wed Jan 16, 2013 8:59 pm, edited 2 times in total.
sw10mm
Figure 8 Puffer
Posts: 116
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2013 3:01 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Fahaka
Location (country): United states
Location: Michigan

Re: playsand vs pool filter sand

Post by sw10mm »

That clears it up thanks
joe21
Puffer Fry
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2018 4:28 am
Location (country): Australia

Re: playsand vs pool filter sand

Post by joe21 »

Hi,

Three Most Commonly used Pool Filters

a. Cartridge Filter - A Cartridge filter is a cylindrical filter that has a pleated filter material in which being pleated, maximizes the square footage of the filter. Cartridge filters can capture debris as small as 10-15 microns. Cartridge filters are the middle of the road as far as debris that can be filtered. They are the easiest to maintain and do a good job keeping the water clear. They need replacing normally about once per year. Cost of a replacement cartridge will vary based on the size or square footage of the cartridge.

b. Sand Filter - Sand filters extract impurities from the water using sand to collect the debris. Once this debris builds up the filter will need to be backwashed. Basically running the water in the reverse direction through the filter. These can filter debris between 20- 40 Microns, so not quite as good as a cartridge filter. They are very easy to maintain as they need backwashing once every several weeks. The sand will need changing only once every 3 or 4 years. They are very heavy and bulky though.

c. DE Filter - Or "Diatomaceous Earth" This filter contains grids inside that are coated with DE powder, a filter media in which mined and fossilized exoskeletons of tiny diatoms are used in a powder form to coat the grids. This is backwashed similar to the sand filter, but unlike just backwashing alone, the filter always needs fresh DE powder added. A DE filter can trap debris as small as 2-5 microns.

x1000 rotor assembly
Last edited by joe21 on Wed Jul 18, 2018 1:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
pufferjw
Green Spotted Puffer
Posts: 379
Joined: Sat Sep 05, 2015 9:16 pm
Gender: Male
My Puffers: Duboisi Puffer
Red Congo Puffer
Striped Redeye Puffer
Dwarf Puffer

Have Owned:
Amazon Puffers
Location (country): USA
Location: Boston/Chicago

Re: playsand vs pool filter sand

Post by pufferjw »

sw10mm wrote: Tue Jan 15, 2013 7:37 pm Well the headline states it all what do you use? Play sand is cheap but messy and I hear fahakas can bury.... pool filter sand is a lil expensive (to fill a. 220 gal tank) but hear it doesn't compact or should I do pebbles or small colored rocks? Was thinking red but 11 bucks for 20 lbs idk.... I havee about hundred dollars and I'm open to suggestions to what will make my fahaka happy and go. od color
Keep in mind that you can use play sand, but you must sterilize it, described in depth here: https://pets.thenest.com/clean-play-san ... 12011.html

Pebbles will work once he's big enough, but you have to ensure that they are extremely smooth and won't hurt the fish. Personally, I use Imagitarium sand for all of my burrowing fish. It was about $100 for 1.5 inches deep in my 187 gallon, so it's more expensive but not crazy.
220 Gallon - 1 Super White Leopoldi Stingray
55 Gallon Planted - No Fish
29 Gallon Planted - 1 Duboisi Puffer
29 Gallon - 1 Red Congo Puffer
Post Reply