Home depot sand

chinomano147 · 03-01-2004, 10:52 AM

Can i use this for 100% of my substrate? And just add the fertilizer tabs and such? ALso how much do i need for a 40 gallon tank?

thanks

Rex Grigg · 03-01-2004, 12:35 PM

As for how much take a look at the Sticky post at the top of this forum. Make sure you don't enter total tank depth but the depth of the substrate.

Depending on the sand you can use it as 100% of the substrate. Here in the PNW the sand they sell at the BORG is like flour. And it's a nasty grey color to boot. It would be a disaster in a tank.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 03-01-2004, 02:14 PM

I'm using 100% play sand in one tank and it's not bad. No compacting over time, and Malaysion Trumpet Snails help keep it stirred up. It's very sterile, though. And it won't accumulate mulm like most fine gravel will since it is relatively tightly packed. Most debris settles on the surface, requiring frequent cleaning to keep it from looking unsightly.
It's definitely useable in a low-budget tank, though.

blk · 03-02-2004, 01:05 AM

I'm also using 100% Home Depot play sand in one of my tanks. It's working out pretty well. It looks good and the plant roots seem to grow well in it. I have about 1.5-2" depth in my 29 gal tank, and I only used about 2/3 of a 40 lbs bag. In the unplanted area with no roots I've had to stir the sand occasionally or dark grey pockets tend to form underneath. I've been thinking about getting some Malaysian Trumpet Snails to help keep it aerated. Also, make sure you wash it really, really well before putting it in your tank. I would put a portion in a bucket with water, stir it up and decant the fine particles. I did this over and over again until the water wasn't cloudy after stirring. It's a lot of work upfront, but I've never had any cloudiness in that tank.

Tonyd · 03-02-2004, 03:29 AM

You might also look at the other sands they have in the same section. Often they will have different grades of blasting and industrial sands in different grain sizes and compositions. These are usually cleaner than the play sand and, although a little more expensive, still cheaper than aquarium specific substrate.

Tony

03-01-2004, 02:14 PM	#3
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	I'm using 100% play sand in one tank and it's not bad. No compacting over time, and Malaysion Trumpet Snails help keep it stirred up. It's very sterile, though. And it won't accumulate mulm like most fine gravel will since it is relatively tightly packed. Most debris settles on the surface, requiring frequent cleaning to keep it from looking unsightly. It's definitely useable in a low-budget tank, though. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

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03-01-2004, 10:52 AM	#1
chinomano147 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 23	Can i use this for 100% of my substrate? And just add the fertilizer tabs and such? ALso how much do i need for a 40 gallon tank? thanks

03-01-2004, 12:35 PM	#2
Rex Grigg Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (65/100%) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland Orygun Posts: 9,600	As for how much take a look at the Sticky post at the top of this forum. Make sure you don't enter total tank depth but the depth of the substrate. Depending on the sand you can use it as 100% of the substrate. Here in the PNW the sand they sell at the BORG is like flour. And it's a nasty grey color to boot. It would be a disaster in a tank.

03-02-2004, 01:05 AM	#4
blk Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA Posts: 39	I'm also using 100% Home Depot play sand in one of my tanks. It's working out pretty well. It looks good and the plant roots seem to grow well in it. I have about 1.5-2" depth in my 29 gal tank, and I only used about 2/3 of a 40 lbs bag. In the unplanted area with no roots I've had to stir the sand occasionally or dark grey pockets tend to form underneath. I've been thinking about getting some Malaysian Trumpet Snails to help keep it aerated. Also, make sure you wash it really, really well before putting it in your tank. I would put a portion in a bucket with water, stir it up and decant the fine particles. I did this over and over again until the water wasn't cloudy after stirring. It's a lot of work upfront, but I've never had any cloudiness in that tank.

03-02-2004, 03:29 AM	#5
Tonyd Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Montana Posts: 312	You might also look at the other sands they have in the same section. Often they will have different grades of blasting and industrial sands in different grain sizes and compositions. These are usually cleaner than the play sand and, although a little more expensive, still cheaper than aquarium specific substrate. Tony