The Puffer Forum

Im going to be upgrading to a larger tank by summertime (my gsps are growing like mad) and i would like to have a sandy bottom. My aunt and uncle live in Kona HI and i was wondering if i could use white sand from the beach over there in my tank (after i rinse it of course). They had sent me a few white coral skeletons, which the puffs love to bite at, and some shells from the beach, so my puffs are used to some "island flora". i just wondering if people use beach sand in tanks, or if that is too gross for the puffs. i definatley dont want to harm them, i've had them since they were little babies and i've become attatched to thier little puppy faces.

I've used river sand for my tanks with no problem.

I thing you should be fine. Just clean that sand well

Id boil it to kill off any harmful stuff in the sand

+1 on boiling.

thanks guys!

Why don't you just got purchase white sand? It's not expensive at all and is without a doubt a lot more safe. Personally that's what I'd do.

Ive seen this asked numerous times but have yet to see an answer...
"how do you really clean/syphon sand without sucking it all up?"

Im looking to put a white sand substrate at the bottom of my new tank too

thrwnsprkz wrote:Ive seen this asked numerous times but have yet to see an answer...
"how do you really clean/syphon sand without sucking it all up?"

Im looking to put a white sand substrate at the bottom of my new tank too

You will suck a bit up but it won't be noticeable for a long time, my figure 8 tank has been running for close to 4 years and I've not had to top it up yet and won't need to do so for the forseeable future. to clear anaerobic spots you can stir the substrate with your fingers or other implement before water changing which means that you don't have to dig down to the bottom with your vacuum

Stir it up thoroughly & then siphon by skimming the detritus that has settled on top of the sand.

You can also bake sand to steralize it.