Pool sand??

i just had a look at the river sand at builders warehouse, its brown in colour not white. Does it become white after washing it?

 

No, dont chance it. I have uses river sand before, but it takes a lot of washing. Even more then filter sand.
The white sand is apparently Reggies play pit sand.

 

okay will try reggies, i asked the guy at builders warehouse for play sand...you should've seen the look i got....like im crazy or something haha

 

Playsand is normally treated to prevent kids from picking up any nasties like boogers!

 

And I thought all along that the kids were the ones putting the boogers into the sand

I agree that the pool sand I've seen lately has been very sharp which was one of the reasons why we've been using river sand for our last few tanks, just a LOT of washing though, but I love the natural look it achieves.

 

Sharp as in bad for fish, or bad for scratching?

 

bad for fish

 

@ veegal is the river sand that you are using brown or white?

 

@ speedz: - I've actually used both in different tanks.....the one nursery here sells the whitish sand whilst the other sells the redish/brownish sand. The darker sand does however require more washing than the lighter but IMO looks much more natural in the tank.

 

just pick up some play sand from toys r us. R40 for 20kg, it says washed but im not gona chance it, gona rinse it and see. Its pale brown in colour

 

Even if it is washed, after transportation, some sand particles are grounded into fine almost microscopic powder. This powder makes the water 'dirty' when you add in your tank. This is because it disperses throughout the tank.

So in actual fact, in general, you also have to get rid of 'powdered' sand in addition to dirt and dust.

If you are setting up a new tank, add all the substrate first, followed by ornaments/rocks. Thereafter slowly add the water with a jug.

 

new 2ft

i've setup a 2ft with the playsand and so far havnt had any problems. I must say i prefer this sand to gravel, just my preference. The 2ft is still a work in progress

 

Can i use my wife's Toploader?:idea:

 

Yeah sure! Just post directions to your funeral before you do that in case we want to attend :blink1:

 

@speedz - I really like that playsand effect in the first pic. Keep me posted on how its going on that tank....you giving me ideas here

 

im planning a similar looking 3ft just for cories, just need to acquire a 3ft + stand. this 2ft will go beneath

 

We use playsand here in Oz, it works well. It is a pain to wash thought , but the effect is great. My new 6footer has playsand in. I will post pics soon

 

How do you clean play sand? It must be an absolute nightmare!!

 

With great difficulty, very slowly and gentle. It takes a while , but it does look good. Put the sand in a large bucket and gently run the water through it, just like cleanning gravel.

Sorry, no fish in this tank yet as water is still cycling

 

DAMN!!! That looks AWESOME!