Substrate Confusion - do some leak ammonia?

its certainly has some growing in to do, but here it is. I keep my 6 4 year old giant albino corrys and my guppy breeding colony.

Giant huh?
And where did you get your rocks? I like them.

I want my own fish room so badly. Mainly because I have a problem and I want several different species that don't all get along. Lol.

 

I really like the tank I’ve had it for 2 years and every year I drain it and change it up.
the rocks are Ohku or dragon stone, I got most of them on chewy, and the big one in the middle I got at my local LFS for 10$, those rocks are VERY expensive!

 

I really like the tank I’ve had it for 2 years and every year I drain it and change it up.
the rocks are Ohku or dragon stone, I got most of them on chewy, and the big one in the middle I got at my local LFS for 10$, those rocks are VERY expensive!

Oh yeah I looked into Dragon Stones once. I wanted them so badly but I gave in and stuck with the much cheaper Lava Rock lol.
Looks like you got some little snail friends in there.

 

I recently set up my 10 gallon and bought NICREW SkyLED Aquarium Light for Planted Tanks. On my 90 gallon my old lights went bad so I bought the Finnex 24/7 CRV Aquarium LED Light. The 90 is a deep tank so I've been testing out how well it works with plants. May need to add one more light system. Won't know until I get the tank back online when I'm done with my current crisis (camallunus nematodes). Too long a story for this thread - nasty parasites.

 

I'm still unsure on the size to buy.

 

I see what you looking at now.

Size wise, as I said before the 20/40 is probably going to meet your needs. Anything finer and you may have issues with it getting stirred up or problems when cleaning/syphoning it. Had to go look at the Black Beauty site to make sure of this. Looks like the sizing is an industry standard as this is same size for Black Diamond.

I also see the prices. That's an eye opener. Not sure where your located. Many people buy from Tractor Supply, Lowes, ACE or True Value stores. If any are near you, look to see if you can order either of the products through them and do store pick-up. Price should be significantly cheaper.

Also the bags will be larger.

 

I see what you looking at now.

Size wise, as I said before the 20/40 is probably going to meet your needs. Anything finer and you may have issues with it getting stirred up or problems when cleaning/syphoning it. Had to go look at the Black Beauty site to make sure of this. Looks like the sizing is an industry standard as this is same size for Black Diamond.

I also see the prices. That's an eye opener. Not sure where your located. Many people buy from Tractor Supply, Lowes, ACE or True Value stores. If any are near you, look to see if you can order either of the products through them and do store pick-up. Price should be significantly cheaper.

Also the bags will be larger.

The $48 bag is 50lbs the $24 one is 25lbs. That's about a $1 a lb is that too much?

 

The $48 bag is 50lbs the $24 one is 25lbs. That's about a $1 a lb is that too much?

50lb bag at tractor supply is $9.99.

I listed the other stores because I saw links saying the sold it. I just checked and only tractor supply with prices. I'm sure there are many locations to find this, just need to do some research.

 

This one is the 20/40. This one by tractor supply is considered fine.


This one is the 12/40. This one is considered medium. So the fine one?


Yes I did some research about an hr ago and found the tractor supply price. But that seems to be my only local store I can get it from.
$10 is a great price. The only thing that didn't look right is on Tractor Supply website the pic of the bag says in big red letters to "keep the sand dry".

 

View attachment 654185
This one is the 20/40. This one by tractor supply is considered fine.
View attachment 654186
This one is the 12/40. This one is considered medium. So the fine one?


Yes I did some research about an hr ago and found the tractor supply price. But that seems to be my only local store I can get it from.
$10 is a great price. The only thing that didn't look right is on Tractor Supply website the pic of the bag says in big red letters to "keep the sand dry".

Really it's going to be a personal choice. Both are okay and will work. If you have no issue with it getting stirred up by larger fish or when cleaning then go with the fine. Other wise the larger size. I have the larger.

Ignore the "keep the sand dry". They sell this to be used for sand blasting and it needs to stay dry to be effective.

I just wish mine was totally black. Mine has some other orange colored material mixed throughout. It still looks good and I like what I have. Didn't know it until got it home and into the cleaning buckets.

Will not complain when you look at the great price.

 

Really it's going to be a personal choice. Both are okay and will work. If you have no issue with it getting stirred up by larger fish or when cleaning then go with the fine. Other wise the larger size. I have the larger.

Ignore the "keep the sand dry". They sell this to be used for sand blasting and it needs to stay dry to be effective.

I just wish mine was totally black. Mine has some other orange colored material mixed throughout. It still looks good and I like what I have. Didn't know it until got it home and into the cleaning buckets.

Will not complain when you look at the great price.

So this is the kind with orange specks?
Thank you so much for all your help! I'm gonna tribute cred you once I get my finished product!

 

So this is the kind with orange specks?

Yes

Thank you so much for all your help! I'm gonna tribute cred you once I get my finished product!

No need to do that. Just have fun and enjoy the new tank.

 

I’ve gotten away with ZETLIGHTs for my planted tanks. Kessils would be the way to go, but pricey.

 

I had a thought last night or late night day dream.
What about black sand(any one of the brands we discussed) with regular play or filter sand? Like a marble look.

OMG I do have a problem lol..

 

OMG I do have a problem lol..

Stopped laughing long enough to reply...….

That is an idea I had as well. Was afraid I would mess up the mix ratio and end up with something I didn't like e.g. the white sand not being white enough and ending up with black and brown mix.

You can always take a small sample of each and do a 50/50 mix to see how it looks. The adjust it to get to what you like.

 

Ok for everybody or anybody that used light colored sand where did you purchase it? Or maybe any other substrate you recommend for my 20 gallon.

I'm gonna rescape it once I divide my Corys out. I want some Corys, shrimp, snails, and MAYBE a micro schooling fish for it.

 

If you are in Canada, Canadian Tire has the courser pool filter sand and Home Hardware has the finer pool sand which I personally like better. Pool filter sand will not change your water parameters either.

 

You can go to any pool supply store for filter sand or any big box home repair store for sandbox sand. They are light colors. If you want white, go to any local golf course and find out where they get their sand trap sand.

 

Ok I'm at my Local Tractor Supply and they only have something called Black Diamond grit. What's the difference between grit and sand? Will this particular sand mess with my tank parameters?

Coal slag



Edit: I bought a bag of 'Abrasive Blasting'
Here's hoping my tank parameters don't suffer. Buying something you don't know much about that has to do with your water babies is stressful and confusing lol. Thanks everyone for your help on this thread.

Now does anybody have any advice on cleaning and rinsing??

 

Ok I'm at my Local Tractor Supply and they only have something called Black Diamond grit. What's the difference between grit and sand? Will this particular sand mess with my tank parameters?

Coal slag



Edit: I bought a bag of 'Abrasive Blasting'
Here's hoping my tank parameters don't suffer. Buying something you don't know much about that has to do with your water babies is stressful and confusing lol. Thanks everyone for your help on this thread.

Now does anybody have any advice on cleaning and rinsing??

That looks like what I bought.

Cleaning: I cleaned it the old school method. Loaded some into a bucket, started up my hose and flowed water through it. Constant stirring until ran clear. Added to tank. Repeat until had all I needed in the tank.

Have you looked to see if it is completely black or if it has any other particles mixed in. I hope you got one that is all black.

 

Oh darn I forgot all about that. No I haven't checked yet.

 

Oh darn I forgot all about that. No I haven't checked yet.

the black diamond is always black. And yes that is the right one, blasting sand is labeled as grit on all the bags. Did you get the course one? The fine one will not settle well

 

I got to nervous about the coal slag one(I don't even know why) so I got this one because it had the 'Blasting Abrasives' on that was discussed in this thread.

Forgot the pic lol

 

the one you bought is probably made of coal slag also.

 

I'm not sure about course or fine. But it doesn't seem very fine.



I'm excited! I just majorly dread washing it...

 

Looks like the same coarseness as mine. All Black. You should be good for what you wanted.

Not sure how mine had orange particles in it as almost everyone says theirs is all black. I still like mine. Maybe some day I'll replace but good for now.

the black diamond is always black. And yes that is the right one, blasting sand is labeled as grit on all the bags. Did you get the course one? The fine one will not settle well

I wish it was. Bought this same bag from my local Tractor Supply store and mine was not all black. I have a lot of orange particles mixed in.

I'm excited! I just majorly dread washing it...

It's not that bad. In no time at all you'll be done and then on to more fun. Like - cycling the tank - now there is the fun part. All you can do is wait and wait for the BB to grow before you can finish with setting it up. Not that anyone is ever done setting up a tank - lol. It will always be a work in progress.

Need to start a thread on your tank build so everyone can see it.

 

I'm excited! I just majorly dread washing it...

Put it in a bucket underneath a faucet and turn ten water on full, mix once with hand and walk away, as long as the faucet is disrupting the sand it will wash itself.

 

So I bought play sand for the rescape I want to do on my 20 gallon because my local Tractor Supply didn't have pool filter sand. But I'm worried about clumping. Does anybody have this problem or know of a way from preventing it?

It's not that bad. In no time at all you'll be done and then on to more fun. Like - cycling the tank - now there is the fun part. All you can do is wait and wait for the BB to grow before you can finish with setting it up. Not that anyone is ever done setting up a tank - lol. It will always be a work in progress.

Need to start a thread on your tank build so everyone can see it.

I will definitely do that. I've gotten a lot more excited about this build recently.

 

i’m investing in your tank OP, don’t stop updating the thread lol! after reading your entire thread i’ve been swayed away from fertilized substrate to the sand. definitely post pics when you get all the substrate in!

 

i’m investing in your tank OP, don’t stop updating the thread lol! after reading your entire thread i’ve been swayed away from fertilized substrate to the sand. definitely post pics when you get all the substrate in!

You are too sweet!
I will make sure to do plenty of updating.
I don't have the sand in yet. I was actually gonna do that first thing this morning but it's quite the dreary day. It's cold and wet, it's been absolutely pouring and sprinkling all day. I didn't want to catch a cold or anything else playing in water and sand on a cold, wet day. Especially since I'm battling a flu virus that has gone rampant in my house. I can't afford to get sick when almost all my kids are sick. So something to talk about another day.

I'm actually working on 2 tanks in this post. Both I needed advice on for substrate. I've only ever used one kind of substrate since I started this hobby. And it was very expensive. Also back then when I first started this hobby and bought that expensive substrate I was lured away from using any kind of ferts because they are "harmful to snails." Although a lot of ppl have had success on here with no apparent longing effects. So I took a leap and I'm gonna go for the much cheaper sand substrate and using liquid ferts. This decision allowed me the financial wiggle room to fix up my 20. It's an absolute mess. Which I'm pretty sure I'm gonna post about on here later looking for tips and advice on saving it. But I will definitely find ways to keep everybody who care updated. Thank you for your kindness and interest.

 

After seeing several mentions online and YouTube I'm super curious. Miracle Grow! What are your opinions? Good? Not good? Work? Waste of space?
If your opinions go positive I'm thinking a Miracle Grow base with the sand cap?

 

After seeing several mentions online and YouTube I'm super curious. Miracle Grow! What are your opinions? Good? Not good? Work? Waste of space?
If your opinions go positive I'm thinking a Miracle Grow base with the sand cap?

i’ve seen people saying this too. i’m debating it as well. my concern is a cloudy tank! also your thread inspired me to get the black diamond sand!

 

I have tried using soil substrate and capping it with gravel. Here is what I found: 1) You cannot clean/vacuuming like aquarium substrate as the layers will become mixed and contaminate the tank water changing the water parameters. 2) The soil compresses and the plant roots cannot penetrate the soil so they die. 3) I have hard well water and the algae grew like crazy! I do not recommend anything but pool filter sand or natural aquarium gravel in fish tanks. I love the look of flourite BUT the plants that don’t have strong root systems do not grow as well as they struggle with pushing roots in the clay soil. So if you go with flourite, choose your plants wisely and do a lot of vacuuming as any left over food will become trapped in the soil. With sand the fish can pick at the left over food between feedings and vacuuming is so much easier. It‘s also better for most types of fish as it doesn’t hurt their scales or skin (on scaleless fish) if they decide to sleep, rub or walk (Mexican walking fish/axolotls) on the bottom of the tank.

Black diamond sand is also not recommended. It’s not sand at all but shards of glass! Please stick to safer options like actual sand whether it’s pool sand or play sand. They come in different thicknesses so look and feel it. Just make sure it’s inert. Many will say black diamond sand doesn’t cut the skin on our hands but our skin is not the same as the covering of the fishes body. Black diamond sand is used to cut paint off vehicles. What does that tell you?

 

Black diamond sand is also not recommended. It’s not sand at all but shards of glass! Please stick to safer options like actual sand whether it’s pool sand or play sand. They come in different thicknesses so look and feel it. Just make sure it’s inert. Many will say black diamond sand doesn’t cut the skin on our hands but our skin is not the same as the covering of the fishes body. Black diamond sand is used to cut paint off vehicles. What does that tell you?

It tells me that at insanely high velocity particles of coal slag will strip away paint from a vehicle.

Shoot play sand / pool filter sand at the velocity and I guarantee it will strip paint off a vehicle.

It not shards of glass, its coal slag... It’s inert... I watch my goldfish sift through it 24 / 7, in the mouth out the gills, how are they not dead? Because Black Diamond Blasting Sand is completely safe.

Do you have experience using this product?

 

Black diamond sand is also not recommended. It’s not sand at all but shards of glass! Please stick to safer options like actual sand whether it’s pool sand or play sand. They come in different thicknesses so look and feel it. Just make sure it’s inert. Many will say black diamond sand doesn’t cut the skin on our hands but our skin is not the same as the covering of the fishes body. Black diamond sand is used to cut paint off vehicles. What does that tell you?

Black Diamond is not shards of glass but is made from coal slag. It does not cut paint. It is used because of it's hardness. Many people have been using this for a very long time without issue.

 

You did well imho. I got the finer one and it has an earthy shimmery brown tone but it’s too fine so too light and gets sucked up. I was scared for coarser bc of my acrylic tank but I’m hoping it’ll be ok. Pls let me know if it’s very sharp!

 

You did well imho. I got the finer one and it has an earthy shimmery brown tone but it’s too fine so too light and gets sucked up. I was scared for coarser bc of my acrylic tank but I’m hoping it’ll be ok. Pls let me know if it’s very sharp!

Not meaning to hijack this thread. You use the python for cleaning - correct? Have you tried tilting the python at a 45 deg angle, or an angle that works, and using the shut-off valve as a throttle control? That's what I do. I dig the python into the substrate a small amount. Turn the valve to reduce flow where it still sucks up the dirt but without too much of the substrate being pulled with it.

 

Black Diamond is not shards of glass but is made from coal slag. It does not cut paint. It is used because of it's hardness. Many people have been using this for a very long time without issue.

Black diamond sand is commonly used by aquarists. I am sharing my knowledge and my personal concerns so others can use my information while doing their own research. I have seen the black diamond sand in glass form and have heard concerns from other aquarists about this. The coal form also cuts paint as it’s a sand blasting sand cut with sharp angles. I just did some quick research on it and it is inert but may not be environmentally friendly. The long term health of the fish who have to live in the water is unknown. Are lives cut short because of dangers? I do not know and can not answer. Someone asked for opinions and that is what I shared. My personal opinion.

It tells me that at insanely high velocity particles of coal slag will strip away paint from a vehicle.

Shoot play sand / pool filter sand at the velocity and I guarantee it will strip paint off a vehicle.

It not shards of glass, its coal slag... It’s inert... I watch my goldfish sift through it 24 / 7, in the mouth out the gills, how are they not dead? Because Black Diamond Blasting Sand is completely safe.

Do you have experience using this product?

To my knowledge play sand and pool filter sand at high velocity will not strip paint off a vehicle. Why? Because if you research it, sand blasting sand has sharp edges where as pool sand and play sand have round edges. Black diamond coal is inert BUT appears not to be environmentally safe. Why your fish are not dead, I am not a scientist. Perhaps you would like to research this. I am just sharing my knowledge for other to do their own research and draw their own conclusions.

 

Black diamond sand is commonly used by aquarists. I am sharing my knowledge and my personal concerns so others can use my information while doing their own research. I have seen the black diamond sand in glass form and have heard concerns from other aquarists about this. The coal form also cuts paint as it’s a sand blasting sand cut with sharp angles. I just did some quick research on it and it is inert but may not be environmentally friendly. The long term health of the fish who have to live in the water is unknown. Are lives cut short because of dangers? I do not know and can not answer. Someone asked for opinions and that is what I shared. My personal opinion.

We are sharing our personal experience and 1st hand knowledge of this material. Understand, I am not trying to be argumentative with you. I respect you and your opinion. I'm just providing some knowledge based on my experience and use of these materials. Please don't take any of this the wrong way. We all are trying to provide help and assistance. It is a great thing for our hobby to have so many people who are willing to help and provide that assistance. Our hobby would not be where it is today if not for all these folks like you.

This blasting sand is not a cutting material because of sharp edges. Some of the material has sharp edges, but then so does sand. This material is used for blasting purposes because of it's hardness and ability to withstand the high impact when blasted. The easiest way to explain this is that energy is generated from its velocity upon impacting the item being blasted, it use that energy without disintegrating to remove it upon impact, be it paint, rust or to etch what ever its intended purpose. It is not cut away by sharp edges. The process gets more technical to describe how the energy created upon impact creates heat and then how the process continues to be able to remove the particle. Material hardness is what matters when blasting. In fact walnut shells are used as a material for blasting to remove paint and they don't have sharp edges.

The long term health is known and has been discussed in many different threads. This sand has been being used in aquariums for over 10 years. If it were otherwise harmful there would be many people on all these threads expounding on the dangers presented and to not use it.

To my knowledge play sand and pool filter sand at high velocity will not strip paint off a vehicle. Why? Because if you research it, sand blasting sand has sharp edges where as pool sand and play sand have round edges. Black diamond coal is inert BUT appears not to be environmentally safe. Why your fish are not dead, I am not a scientist. Perhaps you would like to research this. I am just sharing my knowledge for other to do their own research and draw their own conclusions.

I can tell you for fact play sand and pool filter sand at high velocity will strip paint off a vehicle. As an example, playground sand and pool sand are silica, or quartz, so is most desert sand. If you research you will see many stories of what has happened to vehicles that have been around deserts and what wind blown sand does to the their paint and glass. And that is not at high velocity.

Above discussion is based on 1st hand experiences. We can all make our own decisions through research. Having testimonials from people who have 1st hand experience also helps.

 

We are sharing our personal experience and 1st hand knowledge of this material. Understand, I am not trying to be argumentative with you. I respect you and your opinion. I'm just providing some knowledge based on my experience and use of these materials. Please don't take any of this the wrong way. We all are trying to provide help and assistance. It is a great thing for our hobby to have so many people who are willing to help and provide that assistance. Our hobby would not be where it is today if not for all these folks like you.

This blasting sand is not a cutting material because of sharp edges. Some of the material has sharp edges, but then so does sand. This material is used for blasting purposes because of it's hardness and ability to withstand the high impact when blasted. The easiest way to explain this is that energy is generated from its velocity upon impacting the item being blasted, is use that energy without disintegrating to remove it upon impact, be it paint, rust or to etch what ever its intended purpose. It is not cut away by sharp edges. The process gets more technical to describe how the energy created upon impact creates heat and then the how the process continues to be able to remove the particle. Material hardness is what matters when blasting. In fact walnut shells are used as a material for blasting to remove paint and they don't have sharp edges.

The long term health is known and has been discussed in many different threads. This sand has been being used in aquariums for over 10 years. If it were otherwise harmful there would be many people on all these threads expounding on the dangers presented and to not use it.



I can tell you for fact play sand and pool filter sand at high velocity will strip paint off a vehicle. As an example, playground sand and pool sand are silica, or quartz, so is most desert sand. If you research you will see many stories of what has happened to vehicles that have been around deserts and what wind blown sand does to the their paint and glass. And that is not at high velocity.

above discussion is based on 1st hand experiences. We can all make our own decisions through research. Having testimonials from people who have 1st hand experience also helps.

I only responded due to your attitude towards my previous messages. There is to be no hate on here, only personal experience of fish keeping and knowledge from research. I too have been in fish for more than 10 years and have gained a lot of knowledge that other can learn from. I will admit that I am still learning more about fish as I will never know everything.