lt1fj40 Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Can you use sand in a fresh water setup? I really like the look of the sand that salt tanks have and want to replicate it. Thoughts? Rob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cichlidmomwanabe Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 You sure can use sand. I use sand in all my tanks and unless you want the very fine white sand(very expensive), you can go to most home building centers and just buy play sand for about $6.00 a bag :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish4fun Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 what kind of fish do you plan to put? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lt1fj40 Posted June 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 not too sure yet, right now I have neon tetra's, black skirt tetra's and some fancy guppies and a cory cat and a dwarf frog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishful Thinking Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Sand brings out more natural behaviors, it's cheaper and it is easier to clean since the detritus stays on top and can be easily vacuumed out. Just add some trumpet snails and you're good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Posted June 11, 2009 Report Share Posted June 11, 2009 Sandblasting sand is another cheap sand you have to wash it pretty good though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lt1fj40 Posted June 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Nice!! Thanks everyone for your input..I had no idea you could use play sand and sand blasting sand! I just read somewhere yesterday that some people use pool filter sand..not too sure where in Edmonton to find that but I bet it is more then play sand. Thanks Again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blam Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 is playground sand heavy enough to not get sucked up by gravel vacuums? I've been wanteing to change out the gravel in my tank for some time now, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cichlidmomwanabe Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 I dont have to dig really deep into my sand as everything sits on top. I just lightly vacuum the top and you will get some sand in your bucket(or whatever you use) but not enough to worry about. I found my gravel kept everything and was nasty most of the time(esp. with the pirahnas) so changed to sand and its been great. P.S I use the home depot play sand or I did see some very fine sand at wal-mart for landscaping for 2.67 a bag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fairdeal Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 The thing to be aware of is that there are different sizes of sand and to stay away from the very small very easily moved types. They will give you nothing but grief - sucked up in your filter intakes and grind your impellers down in no time. Try medium and coarse and always wash thoroughly before placing in your tanks. Also try raising the intakes or putting filter sponges or netting over the ends of the intakes to help keep out the sand that will invariably get sucked in. As already mentioned it is easy to clean and the fish enjoy it immensely. The Malaysian trumpet snails or similar will do their part by coming out at night and eating virtually everything in sight so there is minimal cleanup when you do the weekly water changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blam Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 I will have to look into this further. the amount of poop in my gravel is absolutely disgusting during my weekly vacuums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lt1fj40 Posted June 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Don't trumpet snails replicate like crazy?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishkabod Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 wouldapple snails work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkangel Posted June 17, 2009 Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Don't trumpet snails replicate like crazy?? They do, for me anyway. When they get out of control I just throw in a slice of cucumber or zuccini after lights out, when the slice is full remove from the tank, Sell, give away, feed to loaches (small ones), flush them, my africans and south americans like chewing on them also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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