Question: Is this sand okay to put in my tank? or will it harm my axolotl

[mikeg]

i have been looking for white play sand for a long time, cant find any in stored and dont wanna pay $30 for 20 pounds ( i have a 75 gallon tank need a big bag for a low price )
i found this Country Stone Premium White Play Sand not sure if it is good and silica free does any body know or used this prouduce


Website: Farm N Garden- Kalamazoo, Portage, Southwest Michigan- Bagged Soil and Soil Amendments





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[Jennewt]

Play sand is generally OK. You'll need to rinse it thoroughly (in small batches, in a bucket with a hose running).

 

[mikeg]

thanks but i found a guy on kijiji that sold me 60 lbs of caribbean sand for $30.

 

[Kaysie]

60 lbs?! That's A LOT of sand! I think you're overestimating how much sand you need in a tank. It will only take a couple of pounds to make a decent layer. You don't want it too deep (or too heavy). Unless, of course, you have a ridiculously large tank, like over 6 feet, you won't use up 60 lbs of sand in 10 years.

 

[mikeg]

60 lbs?! That's A LOT of sand! I think you're overestimating how much sand you need in a tank. It will only take a couple of pounds to make a decent layer. You don't want it too deep (or too heavy). Unless, of course, you have a ridiculously large tank, like over 6 feet, you won't use up 60 lbs of sand in 10 years.

i have a 75 gallon bow front tank they guy told me i would need about 60 pounds, even the pet store said i need 1 pound per gallon, i havent gotten it yet driving out to pickering this weekend with my dad but i already pre payed

its 4 feet by 1 on the sides and 1 and a half in the middle/ or close to those dimentions

 

[Kaysie]

Pet stores are out to sell you stuff. I don't think you'll need 60 lbs of sand. I had two 4 foot tanks set up and still only used ~25lbs of sand. I toted that bag of sand around for years. I finally started giving it away with axolotls! You definitely want your layer of sand to be under an inch thick. Any more than that and you'll get anaerobic pockets.

 

[mikeg]

what are anaerobic pockets?? i was going to fill it 2-3 inches and make the tank look like a salt water tank with lava rocks and caves and lot of plants

 

[Kaysie]

2-3 inches is much too deep. Anaerobic pockets are when bacteria form toxic gas in your substrate. These bubbles escape and will kill any axolotl in its way.

 

[mikeg]

i did a lil reading on thhis they said if i move around the sand when i clean the tank it wont happen, is that true?

 

[axiekeeper]

absolutely true disturbing sand will eliminate these pockets.. Ive got 3 inches in my tank and its no problem.
I dont think anyones ever actually experienced death from these pockets with an open top tank but im not positive on that.