Sand substrate

[Neptune]

I just setup my new tank,
I used this for subsgtrate

https://www.amazon.com/Pool-Filter-Sand-Grade-Silica/dp/B00JJ5GXSK/ref=sr_1_4?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1498246435&sr=1-4&keywords=pool+filter+sand


I have setup A LOT of tanks over the years...this stuff is the best I've ever used!
the grain size is perfect, it is so easy to move and put where you want it.
AND
I did not even rinse it!
This stuff is worth every dime!

I used Carib Sea in my other tank, cost 3x the amounts, does not stay put, drifts around the tank. hate it!

I will be topping off the old tank with stuff in the near future!

Here is the tank immediately after adding the sand with no rinsing!

[gators111]

Nice!

[Ewhonest]

I love pool filter sand, I use the home depot 30lb bags for all my tanks. I'm just now going to try a bare bottom tank to see if it improves anything.

[Neptune]

Nobody around me has the quartz white stuff in stock. So went to the Ace Hardware website and had a bag of HTH sand delivered to the store for free pickup.
If it is the same stuff,,,,which it probably is, it's half the price of the Amazon stuff. ($13.00)

I know a lot of guys are using pool filter sand already, but for some reason I just can't find the nice white stuff locally.

[Ryan925]

Nobody around me has the quartz white stuff in stock. So went to the Ace Hardware website and had a bag of HTH sand delivered to the store for free pickup.
If it is the same stuff,,,,which it probably is, it's half the price of the Amazon stuff. ($13.00)

I know a lot of guys are using pool filter sand already, but for some reason I just can't find the nice white stuff locally.

That's the stuff I used. Got it at ace also. They stock in it in store here

[Neptune]

Got the Ace Hardware sand today.
They are not equal.

The AquaQuartz from Amazon is much more uniform grade, there is not ONE dark grain in it and the color is VERY uniform. But it costs twice as much.

Is the HTH stuff good. Yes, but there are some dark/black grains in it...not a lot it is still very light, and the grain size is not as uniform.

Is the AquaQuartz worth it? Depends- if you want a very uniform grain size and NO variation in grain color it is. It is still pretty cheap for a substrate. $35 for 50lbs is not bad compared to buying an actual substrate brand at the LFS. AND it required no rinsing.

If a VERY uniform color is not that important, the HTH stuff comes in a close second and at half the price the minimal darker grains can be overlooked.

[ScottW]

Thats what I used, I got mine from Ace Hardware. I think it looks good in my tank with driftwood and some java fern.

[Neptune]

Thats what I used, I got mine from Ace Hardware. I think it looks good in my tank with driftwood and some java fern.

ya its good stuff for the price.

The AquaQuartz stuff is outstanding but twice the price!

[Ryan925]

So I ordered some aqua quartz on Amazon. Had been patiently waiting since it wasn't prime them I found an email I missed stating the seller couldn't ship to CA

So I jumped online and found it here for 24.99 out the door. No tax no shipping. Just fyi

http://www.poolsuppliessuperstore.com/catalog/product/view/id/22392/s/AquaQuartz-Filter-Silica-Sand/?product_id=5451&adpos=1o1&creative=93314448405&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAjw4vzKBRCt9Zmg8f2blgESJADN5fDgrotYCACj 6jIo2n9lCXKuwHoR4203LQia6L0FPn7EyhoCjbzw_wcB

[Phillydubs]

Solid solid ryan. I'm grabbing some now

[Neptune]

You guys will love this stuff!

[Ryan925]

Solid solid ryan. I'm grabbing some now

How did we ever go through life without Google? Guess we just paid retail for everything and got ripped off lol

[Neptune]

i was just doing some research on that stuff. I think its mined about an hour and a half from me in Wi.

[pitdogg2]

So what i want to know is just what the heck does the 10$ 4yr protection plan cover? lmao

[Lewjo11]

So I am just starting a bottomless tank. I painted the bottom. After 2 days I hate the look. Lol.. if I add this ace hardware sand do I need to clean it or can I just add it to the tank. I have a 90 gallon. I have 4 smaller discus. Is it ok just to pour it in with fish in there. Thanks

[jim LI]

you need to rinse it to get the dust off of it. then it should be ok to put it into the tank. look on you tube for some helpful hints on easier way to add the sand without clouding the tank.

[Jack L]

Google might very well be ripping you off ...have you noticed the price comparison sites of a few years ago have disappeared?

[Lewjo11]

I had a gravel tank and it seems like now with no gravel stuff seems to float around more. After about 6 days it seems dirty! Even after a 75 water changes! If I add this pool sand isn't this the same as gravel? What makes sand easier to clean. And doesn't get sucked through with the poop?

[Ryan925]

Sand is much finer than coarse gravel so the debris since on top

[White Worm]

Some of the sand will get sucked up so have extra on hand to replace after a while.

[Jack L]

Some of the sand will get sucked up so have extra on hand to replace after a while.

use a python type vac and just hoover over the surface of the sand or you will suck out a lot of sand, it doesn't fall back down like gravel

[Shaun's Discus]

I had a gravel tank and it seems like now with no gravel stuff seems to float around more. After about 6 days it seems dirty! Even after a 75 water changes! If I add this pool sand isn't this the same as gravel? What makes sand easier to clean. And doesn't get sucked through with the poop?
I've used PFS in all my tanks for years now. My methods and best results so far have been this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Electric-Aquarium-Syphon-Fish-Tank-Pump-Vacuum-Gravel-Water-Filter-Wash-Cleaner-/361645949947?hash=item5433c743fb:g:pDEAAOSwEzxYU6n d

I have used a few different versions of these but this is the latest one i'm using,,, It has plenty of suction for surface poop collection and out of all the ones i've used, this version has the deepest reach,,, I think this one can do a 30" deep tank.
I use this daily on my Discus tank,,, its easy and extremely effective at keeping it prisitine. However I still do a deep cleanse a couple of times per week with a python tube and hose although I have a smaller 1/2" hose on my python so its flexible and I can actually control the amount of suction by bending and closing off the flow as to not suck sand all the way through. You can plunge it all the way in and collect all the real fine brown particle and kink the hose and the sand will tend to float in the tube approx 3/4 of the way up and start gently falling back down. It comes to how you control the flow by the amount of crimp you apply to the hose. Good luck

[Lewjo11]

Hi I have had a bb for 1 week! I love how I can see the mess. Clean it quick and automate the rest of my water changes! If I adding sand how much more different would it be? Also will the sand be vacuumed up with the mess? Thanks

[gators111]

Pool filter sand is fairly easy to keep clean. The mess sits on top and a python will suck it up. You can even get down into the sand and then pull the vac back out and it's not a problem. It just takes practice.