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Play sand, CaribSea, or pool filter sand?

9K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  Absntmind 
#1 ·
I'm switching to sand but I don't know which type to use. This will be used by cory cats, so any experience with this? I'll be getting it in the color black if that helps...


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#2 ·
I've used PFS and TMS with cories and had no problems with them. I had play sand in a turtle tank and it was very fine and dirty.. You've REALLY got to rinse it.

I also had a problem with PFS compacting so do make sure to stir that stuff up if you get it. I had plant roots rotting.. No problem with TMS but I'm not sure if that's just because I do stir the sand more and have plenty of MTS to stir things up as well.
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#3 ·
I don't think they make black pool filter sand or black play sand.

Pool filter sand is my preferred sand.
 
#4 ·
I've seen people talk about having black pool filter sand. I haven't seen it local, but I'm sure they aren't lying lol.

I've also heard good things about using blasting sand from tractor supply co. That's black and cheap.
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#5 ·
I've never seen anyone mention it before. I wonder what it's made of.
 
#7 ·
NPT beginning

I've started to acquire the necessities to change my former QT to NPT. Guess what,! Lowe's here doesn't carry any Pool filter sand. They claim that Petsmart here carries it. I had to get home to prepare dinner so I haven't checked it out.

I'm beginning to think that this is the worst place in the world to keep fish. The Pet&^#@ chains don't carry anything but the cheap easy stuff. I also can't find any potting soil w/o ferts. It is too expensive to ship that stuff (soil & sand) in. Buying it from the chains puts the cost up like anything else sold but them for aquaria.

I haven't checked HD yet and there is a local sand & gravel company. I suspect that a request for 25 to 50 # of sand will result in much hilarity.:frustrated:
 
#11 · (Edited)
I've used play sand and loved it. If washed well it is very clean, doesn't "dust up", and does well with plants. To clean it you only need a 5 gallon bucket, water hose, and a chair :). It took me a couple hours to clean enough for a 55 gallon.

The only reason I switched out the PS to a dark substrate was for a change, but I would definitely use PS again.

I thought of blasting sand from TS but after purchasing and sifting through a couple bags I decided against it. I found some metal pieces as well as some sharp glass "needles".
 
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