Substrate question

[Nathan050793]

I really need sand to use as a substrate in my aquatic set-ups. I have searched my local petsmart and they don't seem to have any sand that can be used in fresh water or, for that matter any water at all. Are there any brands I should be looking for? please help!

 

[navaros]

Try Lowes or Home Depot for play sand. The kind you use in a sand box. You can get a huge bag cheap. Just make sure you rinse the sand thoroughly, it will help keep the water from being cloudy. I also recommend stirring it around every so often so it does not become anaerobic. Depending on what you are keeping in your tank, you could add trumpet snails which will naturally keep the sand turning.

 

[Nathan050793]

Thanks! Play sand was the direction I was kind of going in. My only question is wether it will be fine enough? As for the newts, The sand will go in my chinese firebelly tank, and eventually a tank housing an axolotl.

 

[MRIGUY]

Look for Southdown tropical Play Sand at Home Depot. Clear bag with read abd blue writing if meory serves. It is real fine and us favored by reefers for deep sand bed set-up's.

 

[Abrahm]

A second option for sand would be pool filter sand. You can buy this at any pool or spa store and is usually less than 10USD for a 50 pound bag. It is a quartz sand and is made of very regular grain sizes that are a nice fine mesh. It also is considerably less dusty than the play sand I have used and takes far less effort to clean initially because of that.

 

[coolnewt]

Hi
I am wondering if fine silica or quartz sand is ok to use for easten newts. Is there any negative effect from using fine sand in newt tanks?
Thanks chris

 

[Nathan050793]

Hi, in the end I ended up buying the pool-filter sand. It works really well and I use it in my own noto tank. I hope that helps.

P.S.
Next time maybe start your own thread, rather than posting on one that is close to 4 months old.