Black Pool filter sand + Eco-Complete

cyfan964 · 03-22-2011, 09:12 PM

Looking for a cheap route to go for my substrate in a low tech 55. Most of my plants will be column feeders growing on driftwood like anubias, java fern, and mosses. I'll have a few root feeders like crypts and rotala, but for the most part CEC isn't that important.

My questions:

1.) Will this work for my described area and what ratio should I mix the 2.

2.) No pool supply stores around here have black pool filter sand... anyone know of a supplier online.

I know of black fluorite sand, but it's frickin' expensive for a low-light tank.

Baadboy11 · 03-22-2011, 11:07 PM

You are gonna struggle finding black sand. Tahitain moon, estes, and flourite sand are about it (with a few others i've forgotten. Eventually your eco will probably all end up on top of the sand, so be aware of that but other then that you should be good.

**mistergreen** · 03-22-2011, 11:27 PM

Tahitain moon isn't that cheap either.. It's $20 for a bag that covers a 10G tank.
Do you have any bottom dwellers? You can go with crush lava rock. It's a bit sharp though.

You can try the 'turface master soil'. They're grey.

ktownhero · 03-23-2011, 03:25 AM

For $20 bag you might as well just stick to 100% eco complete. I'm in the same boat as you and I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy a few more bags. My local Petco sells Eco-Complete for $19.99/bag.

andyl9063 · 03-23-2011, 06:45 PM

there's black sand at tractor supply company if you have one.

I got a 50lb bag for around $8..... I have 100lb in my 90g tank.

also petco has a special for eco complete $16 a bag with $5 shipping only!!!

JasonG75 · 03-28-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl9063

there's black sand at tractor supply company if you have one.

I got a 50lb bag for around $8..... I have 100lb in my 90g tank.

also petco has a special for eco complete $16 a bag with $5 shipping only!!!

TY so much ... was looking at the moon sand this weekend DREADING having to buy it. Called my local Tractor Supply and they have 40/60 grit of black sand.

davidsjames · 02-18-2012, 06:01 AM

Do you notice how 'green' pool parts and pumps and filters and all seem to cost you as well! Becoming green at a cost! I think you should keep sand to a minimum!

discuspaul · 02-18-2012, 04:12 PM

I've never seen, nor ever heard of, black pool filter sand.
White, various shades of beige/light brown, even grayish - but never black.
I think you'll have to find some other suitable black sand product.

03-22-2011, 09:12 PM	#1
cyfan964 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Ames, Iowa Posts: 237	Black Pool filter sand + Eco-Complete Looking for a cheap route to go for my substrate in a low tech 55. Most of my plants will be column feeders growing on driftwood like anubias, java fern, and mosses. I'll have a few root feeders like crypts and rotala, but for the most part CEC isn't that important. My questions: 1.) Will this work for my described area and what ratio should I mix the 2. 2.) No pool supply stores around here have black pool filter sand... anyone know of a supplier online. I know of black fluorite sand, but it's frickin' expensive for a low-light tank. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." - Benjamin Franklin

03-22-2011, 11:07 PM	#2
Baadboy11 Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 434	You are gonna struggle finding black sand. Tahitain moon, estes, and flourite sand are about it (with a few others i've forgotten. Eventually your eco will probably all end up on top of the sand, so be aware of that but other then that you should be good. __________________ GROW BABY GROW -20long-

03-22-2011, 11:27 PM	#3
mistergreen Bow ties are cool (View User Tanks) PTrader: (12/100%) Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 12,895	Tahitain moon isn't that cheap either.. It's $20 for a bag that covers a 10G tank. Do you have any bottom dwellers? You can go with crush lava rock. It's a bit sharp though. You can try the 'turface master soil'. They're grey. __________________ DIY High Tech Tank forum http://aquatictechtank.net A forum dedicated to design and program aquatic tanks

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-23-2011, 03:25 AM	#4
ktownhero Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 563	For $20 bag you might as well just stick to 100% eco complete. I'm in the same boat as you and I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and buy a few more bags. My local Petco sells Eco-Complete for $19.99/bag.

03-23-2011, 06:45 PM	#5
andyl9063 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 64	there's black sand at tractor supply company if you have one. I got a 50lb bag for around $8..... I have 100lb in my 90g tank. also petco has a special for eco complete $16 a bag with $5 shipping only!!!

02-18-2012, 06:01 AM	#7
davidsjames Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: CA, USA Posts: 1	Do you notice how 'green' pool parts and pumps and filters and all seem to cost you as well! Becoming green at a cost! I think you should keep sand to a minimum!

02-18-2012, 04:12 PM	#8
discuspaul Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 1,588	I've never seen, nor ever heard of, black pool filter sand. White, various shades of beige/light brown, even grayish - but never black. I think you'll have to find some other suitable black sand product.