some questions about sand in tank

aaronandjessica86

So we are wanting to go for a different look in our tank. We took out the green/black gravel and are wanting to use sand. I really want to use white sand. I also want to add live plants we well. We have a freshwater tank

Question 1. What is the best sand to get?

Question 2. Will I be able to have live plants in my tank with sand?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

1077

Were it me, and Sand was my choice,, I would look at SEACHEM Onyx sand. This is used by a few people with plants. Seachem does say that this has slight buffering capacity and may raise the pH slightly.
White sand will in my expierience cause colors of some fishes to wash out or fade.(they feel more comfortable over dark substrates)
Light color of sand would also show any detritus , waste, much more so than dark colored substrate.
Dark colored fine gravel,or some of the prepared plant substrates would work as well.

kitten_penang

or you could make plastic brackets and place soil where you want the plants and sand for the empty areas.

eileen

I have pool filter sand from a pool supply shop. It's 50lbs for about $12. It is a nice sand that is course and is easy to clean and not like powder. I just take sections and rub it in my hands if algae gets on it. I have live plants and they are all doing well. Here are some pictures of my tanks with the sand. It takes alot of cleaning in buckets but is worth the look you get.Turn the filter off while adding the sand in. The water will be cloudy for a day or so as you can not get the sand completely clean. Rinse out the filter carbon every day for a week and the water will be clear. I will never use gravel again as I like the look of sand. I also have a tank with black sand that I got at a local fish store for about $20 a 20lb bag and they sold 5lb bags for $5. Lighter sand wil lmake the tank look brighter.Use a black back ground as the fish and the plants will look really good.

Attached Images

	6 gal. pool filter sand.jpg (99.5 KB, 23 views)
	55 gal. planted tank 1 002.jpg (102.0 KB, 23 views)
	2.5 gal. Bowfront tank.jpg (101.6 KB, 23 views)
	Planted 55 gal. tank with sand 3.jpg (102.8 KB, 23 views)

Byron

Yopu can get dark sand enriched plant substrates, or use dark playsand; I have dark grey play sand from Home Depot in a 10g (photo attached, not very good but it gives you the idea). Plants will grow fine in sand, though you have a few things to be aware of with sand to avoid compaction, and for this reason is can't be as deep as gravel. Depending upon your fish, most are less stressed over dark substrates so this should guide you.

Attached Images

10g July 1-10.jpg (110.3 KB, 16 views)