[Brandone]

So, first things first

Hello all, I am called Brandone. I work in a pet store in Texas, and have a few tanks myself. I look forward to learning from you all, and sharing what bits of knowledge I have.

Now that the formalities are over...

I am starting a 55 gallon, and have some inhabitants of the Clown Loach persuasion patiently waiting. Their 20 gallon is not going to suffice much longer! (and yes, I know they can outgrow a 55 gallon

My issue is drastic - 3M no longer manufactures ColorQuartz! Horror of horrors! What's a guy to do? Find a viable substitute, of course. Unfortunately, I'm not extensively knowledgeable about different freshwater substrates.

This will be a planted tank, as is my 20 gallon, so I need something the plants can push their roots through. And I prefer white, if given the choice. I like the size of the T-grade (at least from what I've read, T is the choice grade by the majority), and have heard some iffy things about traditional aquarium sand with filtration, cleaning, toxins building up underneath, et cetera.

So, any ideas would be most awesome! Thank you!

 

[lauraleellbp]

Sounds like Pool Filter sand will be right up your alley. No nutrients for the plants (so you'll probably have to make that up with ferts), but the color should be light like you like, and the loaches won't make a mess with it like they might kitty litter, turface, or oildri.

Welcome to TPT!

 

[Brandone]

Thank you for the welcome!

Yes, I am using defacto gravel with my current planted tanks. Why would the Loaches make a mess of Turface or Oil Dri? Those are a coarser grade than sand...

 

[F22]

Loaches are vicious rooters and will mess with the oil dry by stirring ot up. ALOT

 

[Brandone]

Yeah, but would sand not be worse?

 

[F22]

I never had an issue.

 

[Brandone]

Ah, good then!

No worries.

I have a pool supply store nearby...

 

[lauraleellbp]

Turface and Oildri are fired clay, so are pretty lightweight and also can be really dusty.

You'll need to rinse the sand well first, but it shouldn't cloud up the water the same way.

I hope you post some pics after you get it set up!

 

[Brandone]

Is pool filter sand essentially the same as run-of-the-mill aquarium sand?

 

[bradac56]

No Pool Filter Sand is a larger grain ~ 1mm. Regular sand varies from 1mm to smaller.

- Brad

 

[Brandone]

Okay, good.

And

Thank you!

I'll post some pictures once I'm started... I have a newly built stand to put it on

 

[OverStocked]

OIL dri and turface are wicked light. I had to finally add a gravel cover over mine today. Might add some sand to the mix, to make it better looking as I had to use rather coarse gravel to hold it down.

 

[bradac56]

That's odd I've never had problems with SMS or Turface they stay down and don't cloud up unless I go crazy. Granted I've used them for along time and have allot of tanks full of the stuff so I've had plenty of practice with lighter substrates.

- Brad

 

[OverStocked]

That's odd I've never had problems with SMS or Turface they stay down and don't cloud up unless I go crazy. Granted I've used them for along time and have allot of tanks full of the stuff so I've had plenty of practice with lighter substrates.

- Brad

I have had lots of practice with lighter substrates, my fish have not. My cories uprooted my chain sword once a week.

Try replanting a 75 gallon tank full of narrow leaf chain sword every week.

 

[bradac56]

I have had lots of practice with lighter substrates, my fish have not. My cories uprooted my chain sword once a week.

Try replanting a 75 gallon tank full of narrow leaf chain sword every week.

Ah gotcha, rooting fish do make a difference. I'll trade you that 75g work if you'll come over and replant all of my grow out tanks (six 30/40 breeders).

- Brad

 

[Diana]

Rock yards may carry sand in many different sizes. Around here the Lapis Lustre product line by Lonestar is very common. I have seen many sizes of sand in these bags, some almost coarse enough to think of it as fine gravel.

Pool filter sand is often about 30 mesh, which is pretty fine.

Any sand that is graded so all the particles are the same size will not pack down, unless you really pile it up too deep.
Sand with mixed sizes will pack down easily. For example most sands sold as Play Sand are like this. Not a good choice in an aquarium.

Sand and other substrates with this particle size are not the best for plants. These materials do not hold the fertilizers available for the plants the way a plant specific substrate can.