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The most desirable features of sand substrate for aquarium use are:
- Dense enough & large enough beads so that it doesn't get siphoned out when vacuuming;
- Heavy enough so that it doesn't free-float into the water column when disturbed and get into filtration systems & clog them up.
- Not fine, so that it doesn't compact heavily, thereby decreasing the risks of toxic anaerobic gas pockets developing.
- Clean enough so that there is very little dirt, dust & grime in it, and little, if any, rinsing is needed before use.
Very few sands meet this criteria, and those few that do are usually much more expensive than the best choice imo:
#20 or # 30 grade quartz-based silica pool filter sand available at almost any pool or spa supply store - generally around $10.- $15. for a 50 lb. bag.
- Dense enough & large enough beads so that it doesn't get siphoned out when vacuuming;
- Heavy enough so that it doesn't free-float into the water column when disturbed and get into filtration systems & clog them up.
- Not fine, so that it doesn't compact heavily, thereby decreasing the risks of toxic anaerobic gas pockets developing.
- Clean enough so that there is very little dirt, dust & grime in it, and little, if any, rinsing is needed before use.
Very few sands meet this criteria, and those few that do are usually much more expensive than the best choice imo:
#20 or # 30 grade quartz-based silica pool filter sand available at almost any pool or spa supply store - generally around $10.- $15. for a 50 lb. bag.