Pool filter sand vs play sand

oops *play sand *
which of the two is better and why ??

 

Pool filter sand is much better than play sand. It is a lot more uniform and is MUCH cleaner!

 

I'm thinking of doing a 50/50 sand gravel in my new 50 gal

 

I LOVE my PFS lol

 

I want to get corrys so I'm going to try at least 1/2 sand in my tank

 

Up to you. I use playsand, it's really easy to clean, just rinse it in a bucket like you would gravel. A 50 lb bag is about $4.00 at Lowes.

 

I have play sand in 3 tanks. I got it from Home Depot for 4 or 5 dollars for 50 lbs. I like the darker sand better than the lighter. I seems to have a heavier grain and is less "dusty". It wasn't very dirty at all.

 

I have used them both with great results. playsand will pack down harder , which sometimes gives a better look IMO, but it also creats gas pockets easier than pool filter sand. the gas pockets can leak into the tank BUT are easily controlled by moving your sand around a little when doing cleaning. I think Pool filter sand also can be sucked up easier when cleaning. really your choice, but I will never go back to gravel.

 

The Quikrete Play Sand from Home Depot makes a great substrate. Good color and texture. $3.47 a 50 pound bag here in Cincy. Glad to hear you chose to keep the 50 gallon.

 

I think I might try the play sand because the local ace and home depo do not carry PFS

 

I hate play sand. Just used pool filter sand for the first time and loved it. Go to a pool store.

 

Play sand is just so much dirtier. I rinsed it for hours and it still left the tank cloudy for a week until I tore it down.

 

I think I might try the play sand because the local ace and home depo do not carry PFS

I used the Pavestone Play Sand. It's out in the garden section with the bagged rocks at Home Depot.

 

I used the Pavestone Play Sand. It's out in the garden section with the bagged rocks at Home Depot.

Yes, the Pavestone is another choice. The Quikrete Play Sand in inside next to the concrete.

 

Play sand is just so much dirtier. I rinsed it for hours and it still left the tank cloudy for a week until I tore it down.

I dumped a 50lb bag in without rinsing it. Did a 75% water change and it settled and is crystal clear now. (before fish were in tank)

 

so go with the natural pavestone playsand?

 

so go with the natural pavestone playsand?

Up to you. I've always used the quikcrete with no issues.

 

I think I'm going with quikcrete and crushed coral

 

Pool sand is more uniform and most of the dust has been removed

 

Playsand has a more natural color and it's really not hard to clean.

 

I think I might try the play sand because the local ace and home depo do not carry PFS

Ace will do free ship to store online and it carries aqua quartz pool filter sand for 13 bucks

 

I'm thinking of doing a 50/50 sand gravel in my new 50 gal

I think I'm going with quikcrete and crushed coral

The smaller sand particles will fall to the bottom if you use gravel and sand together. So there is really no point in doing this, as the sand will eventually settle and you won't see it.

Crushed coral will raise the PH in your tank. Not that it should be a problem, just something you should know. It is also too rough for corydora's barbells. And, like mixing sand and gravel, the smaller sand particles will fall to the bottom. And you will only see the coral.

If you want sand substrate, then use only sand. Pick the color you want, and go for it. Pool filter sand and play sand both work fine.

 

Yes, if you mix substrates, you need to have a way of keeping them separate or the sand will sift to the bottom. As I understand it, there are different shades of pool filter sand. If you go that route, try to get a darker shade. The bright white isn't very natural looking and many fish will be uncomfortable with it.

 

I was thinking of having half the tank with sand and half with coral

 

I would not do that if you want to keep corydora.

 

I need a ph buffer

 

I need a ph buffer

Why...what's going on ? Would adding something to the filter media or throwing in a few shells accomplish the same thing ?

 

I might just fill my hob with crushed coral that would work

 

What do you need a PH buffer for?

 

snails is what I need the ph buffer for ,.. I'm trying quikcreet its looks really nice and is "natural"

 

Yeah, I have used quikcreet before. Looks natural, and works great. You can put a cuddle bone in the filter and this will provide the calcium the snails need, and should work better than trying to mess with the PH. I would not worry about buying any crushed coral. Making sure the snails have enough calcium in the water is more important than messing around with the PH.

 

the crushed coral adds calcium dose it not? I also use egg shells in the filter

 

If you are already using egg shells, and the snails are doing OK, I would not mess with doing anything different.

 

the ph is low so the shells are showing slight erosion

 

What is your PH?

 

cleaned the sand filled the tank and am wateing for it to clear up and cycle wish me luck

 

cleared adding the fish over tomarow

 

That was quick. Some folks act like play sand is like putting a mud ball in your tank. Glad you went that route. Keep us posted on how your plants and corys do.

 

working well going to starting the transfer