Need help with substrate

[AquAdave]

Hi friends, so I'm by no means new to the hobby, I currently have a 30gal planted a 9 gal. Planted patty breeding tank and a 2 gal nursery for the fry. I also have a 14'x9' x4' deep pond planted and stocked, my question is, I'm in the process of cycling a 75g and I have been running it about 2 weeks now but I haven't done anything as far as substrate and scaping. Every tank I've ever had I just used the little stones that come in a lot of different colours, the ones pets mart stocks. And they have done the job I guess but in this tank I want to have corys possibly loaches. So I'm aware and or a fine sub is best for the barbels on the corys. And I kinda prefer the look but having never used sand or anything fine I wonder if it is harder to clean and if anyone has any recommendations on exactly what kind of sand to use. All I know is my local pets mart does not carry sand and unfortunately the 3 pets mart locations in my city are the only place that stock aquarium supplies. There is a local fish store but it's very small and that is all he sells is fish and filter stuff. Any help would be helpful

 

[ProudPapa]

I would recommend going to a swimming pool supply store and buying a 50 gallon bag of pool filter sand. It is inexpensive (especially compared to substrate marketed as substrate for aquariums), requires little to no cleaning prior to use, and plants grow just fine in it.

I have used in in a half dozen or so tanks and been very pleased with it.

 

[Fishfur]

Another possible and cheap choice is playsand. It will need a LOT of washing to get silt & fines out so they don’t cloud the water for days but aside from that the stuff works well if you don’t mind the colour.,

Pool filter sand is a good choice too but a lot if it white, which can be extremely annoying to keep looking good. But there are pool filter sands that are not white - I got some that’s a nice dark brown colour and it looks really good.

Cleaning sand is different than it is with gravel. You don’t push the vacuum or siphoned onto the sand as you can with gravel.

Instead, best to hover the siphon end just enough above the sand so you suck up excess mulm but not the sand itself.

There’s a slight learning curve to the technique but you’ll figure it out quickly, I’m sure.

 

[committeadmare]

my pool filter sand is working well. i definitely had to wash a lot though. it was dusty

 

[ProudPapa]

my pool filter sand is working well. i definitely had to wash a lot though. it was dusty

Do you mind if I ask where you got it? I've used two brands and didn't rinse either one. One of them didn't cloud the water at all, and the other one produced only a little bit of cloudiness in the water that was cleared up the next morning.

I bought both of them from swimming pool supply stores. I have seen reports on this and other forums from people who bought theirs from one of the big home improvement chain stores and it did need considerable rinsing.

 

[dcutl002]

Pool Filter Sand or Black Diamond Blasting sand. I bought mine at a Home Supply store.

 

[committeadmare]

Do you mind if I ask where you got it? I've used two brands and didn't rinse either one. One of them didn't cloud the water at all, and the other one produced only a little bit of cloudiness in the water that was cleared up the next morning.

I bought both of them from swimming pool supply stores. I have seen reports on this and other forums from people who bought theirs from one of the big home improvement chain stores and it did need considerable rinsing.

I was gifted it but I suspect it is from a large Canadian home improvement store. I bet that's the difference.

 

[Pinkplaty109]

I have used pool filter sand in my tank with corys and they have been fine. I got mine from Canadian Tire for $20. Sadly, they don't stock it anymore. Now they stock a different one. Mine is a white-ish beige, which can get annoying, but it really has been good so far. It barely needed any rinsing, and I went through it with a magnet to make sure there were no metals that could rust, and found barely any pieces in the whole thing. Would recommend it, especially if you are on a budget. I'd say the only downside is how dirty is looks when the tank needs a cleaning, but if you have a heavily planted tank or just a lot of fake decor around then it isn't too noticable.

As for black diamond blasting sand, it is pleasant aesthetically, but there are a few stories of the metal found inside rusting people's tanks, so I would definitely run a magnet through that before putting it in your tank. Of course, I have never used it and some people have had no problems at all with it, so it really depends on the brand, just like with pool filter sand.

There is also aquarium sand on amazon for pretty cheap, and I am not sure if you're petsmarts let you order online, but if so you could also try that. Aquarium marketed sand can be a bit pricier, but some people find they like the colors more.

Once again, just my two cents, it really depends on your budget and what look you are trying to achieve.

This is the pool filter sand I use. Not sure if it's available where you are though!