Sand Substrate Question

[Nycfatcow]

Hi all, I am new to the forum but I have been raising fish for a while now and wanted to set up a discus tank.

I will be redoing my 55 planted tank and was interested in using white sand as the substrate. I have been looking all over for white silica sand or white pool sand but it seems that Home Depot does not carry this anymore? I see this on amazon, a bit pricey but this seems like the best bet at the moment:

http://www.amazon.com/Pool-Filter-Sand-Grade-Silica/dp/B00JJ5GXSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428000205&sr=8-1&keywords=no+20+silica+sand

Do you guys know of anything cheaper or does the sand that i pick work?

also how many pounds will i need to cover a 55 gallon?

I think im going to end up doing a driftwood/sand tank too keep things simple.

Thanks all!

[Len]

Do you have a pool supply in your area? It would be much cheaper that way. You'll use less than a bag in your 55G.

[DISCUS STU]

Pool supply stores are always recommended. I use Hudson River sand in my planted 55 gal. setup which is easily available from mother nature. Works just fine for me. Just wash in hot water and good to go. I generally cover to about .5 to 1 inch above the trim line. 1-2 5 gal. buckets should do it.

[Solid]

As Len said try a pool supply. You can also try googling a Sand (or Silica) Company in your area. Just make sure to ask that it is "pure silica sand". It should have no calcium carbonate (beach sand/coral sand). You can also ask for silica sand at an abrasive finishing supply place, landscaping, construction supply or tennis court resurfacing. At many of these places you can buy it in different grain sizes #20/#40 is what most stadard pool filter sand is, but you can get slightly bigger if you want.

I was nervous at first because I was worried about it being dirty or contaminated, but silica sand has a number of applications where its purity is required. I just recommend rinsing it really well before using it, not so much to remove contaminants but to remove silt or dust which can cloud your water.

[haile161]

u can look at petco store or petco.com. it's ard 18$ for a bag(20lbs). 3 bags are good for 55g tank.

[Nycfatcow]

So i ended up called 3 different pool stores around my area, seems that they do not carry any silica sand. This actually doesnt surprise me as theres no room in new york for any swimming pools. Assuming that i purchase my original link

http://www.amazon.com/Pool-Filter-Sand-Grade-Silica/dp/B00JJ5GXSK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1428000205&sr=8-1&keywords=no+20+silica+sand

Do you guys think that it would be safe?

Ecologically safe sand does not solidify and will help prevent clogging and channeling
100% natural sand is chemical free and backwashes easily and evenly

Seems like this is my best bet at the moment.

[nathanmiller99]

If you don't get the wanted sand in pool supply, then i think it is the best bet for you.

[discuspaul]

Yes, that sand should be quite safe. It's around twice the cost of what you would normally pay at a good pool supply store, but if you can't find it anywhere else, that will do the job. - # 20 grade density is very good for aquariums - will not get siphoned up when vacuuming with a normal aquarium wide-mouthed vacuum tool

[alron2]

How about sand blasting material, I did not check the shipping; the sand is less than is $9 per 100 #.

http://www.agrisupply.com/product.aspx?p=29498&sid=asf10&eid=Easf10&utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=CSE&utm_campaign=MerchAdv&zmam=77232640&zmas=1&zmac=1&zmap=29498&gclid=CjwKEAjw2ImsBRCnjq70n_amv14SJAChXijN-_2ftOkXeVPHtmUNimCQZqakg-b-itzlU5qGbX3AgBoCysfw_wcB

Ron

[DiscusRob]

I just googled Pool Filter Sand in NYC, here's the link to 28 potential places to get it.

http://www.yellowpages.com/brooklyn-ny/pool-filter-sand

Hope it helps

[rickztahone]

If you have a Lowes near you simply go to their lumber department and ask for their customer support team to order pool filter sand. They don't carry it in the store but they can order it. It is about $10 or so for a #50 bag. I had the item number but I really have to go digging through my old threads.

[alron2]

Lowes Pool Sand

http://www.lowes.com/pd_69225-286-115350_0__

Ron

[rickztahone]

Lowes Pool Sand

http://www.lowes.com/pd_69225-286-115350_0__

Ron

yup, thats the one.