Sand for Substrate

[TheMainer]

I was at Home Depot earlier today and was going to pick up some sand for the tank I am setting up. I found some "White Play Sand", but on the bag it states "Do not use in Aquariums". I thought I had read a lot of posts on here saying that you could use it. Do they say this because many people do not know better and never rinse the sand before putting it in the tank? If this sand cannot be used, what type of sand can?

 

[Dragonett]

Not sure, but they may use chemicals to sterilize the sand to make it safe for young children to play in. It may prove itself to be toxic for fish and other water life. Maybe someone else will have something more constructive to say about this.

 

[Cichlid-Man]

I don't see any reason you couldn't use it in the aquarium. I plan on going to Home Depot to get me some sand too...just never heard of it stating that. And it wasn't some special type of play sand?

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/sand.php

 

[TLM4x4]

Dont you have some beaches around where you live Mainer? I went to my local beach for sand, rocks and driftwood. Clean the sand as you would "play" sand, scrub the rocks with a good stiff brush and soak your driftwood in a bucket changing the water for afew weeks before introducing it into your tank! Very natural and CHEAP *SUNSMILE*

 

[Lotus]

A lot of people use pool filter sand, as the particle size is slightly larger and it's less prone to compacting.

 

[OCCFan023]

I got my sand from home depot, it was just regular Play Sand, I didnt check to see if it said Aquarium Safe, but Id think your looking at the same stuff that I have

 

[seastaar88]

i use play sand. it should say "non toxic" on the bag.

 

[Cutlass]

I have Home Depot playsand in both of my tanks. Beats paying an arm and a leg at the LFS for substrate.

 

[IvannaFish]

I used sandblasting sand at our local equipment store. It is the same as the sand that they sell in your LFS and half the price. Just rinse it until the water runs clear and viola...make sure you don't get the finest grade. It is like babypowder...Tried it and what a mess! I paid $10 for 100lbs

 

[TheMainer]

WOOO. Finally got some sand. Picked up some industrial sand, went for the bigger stuff. Just like you said IvannaFish, got 100lbs for just under $10. Not bad. I have a 75g tank, so I might end up getting more, but it's a start. Just have to paint my tank stand, and then it's go time. Very excited.

 

[IvannaFish]

cool!! Good luck *twirlysmi

 

[hyunelan2]

I'm a little late to chime in it looks like, but filter sand for swimming pools is a decent option as well.