Sand suggestions?

[artgecko]

Hey folks,

I am looking at setting up a new 10gl planted tank for dwarf cories and am also planning a redo on the substrate of my 46gl community, which will hopefully turn out as a more catfish-centric planted setup. I have used a couple of different planted tank substrates before, but would like suggestions on a sand or sand like substrate that is both catfish and plant friendly. I would like to get a substrate that would work for both the 10gl and 46gl.

Currently, the 46gl has Brochis, a BN pleco, and Clown pleco as bottom dwellers, so I need something that will work with both types of catfish.

I am currently looking at the following: Onyx sand (plant substrate), Flourite black "sand" (plant substrate), eco-complete (plant substrate), caribsea torpedo beach (sand),peace river (large sand), and sunset gold (fine sand).
Here's the caribsea website (for the last 4 types of sand): http://www.caribsea.com
Here's the seachem webiste (for the first two types of sand): http://www.seachem.com/Products/Planted.html

If any of you have any experience with using these substrates with cats, please let me know.

Thank you for your help!
Sincerely,
Art

[MatsP]

I haven't used any of the products you describe, but I do use childrens play-sand (sold for the purpose of sand-pits and such), which I buy in the supermarket, DIY store or garden-centre (whichever happens to have it in stock at a good price at the time). Here in the UK, bags are 10kg, 15kg or 25kg, usually. Of 9 tanks, I have all sand in 5 of them, and sand/fine gravel in one tank, the remainding four have fine gravel.

Fish shops do sell sand that is particularly suitable for aquariums, but I find that the childrens play-sand is fine - just make sure that the layer isn't too think unless you have fish that dig quite a bit, as detritus may get trapped under the sand and anaerobic breakdown can happen.

--
Mats

[andywoolloo]

I have used and still use the Carib Sea , Tahitian moon sand in all my tanks . But I wish I'd known about the play sand prior as it's way cheaper and lots of people use it and love it.

I had tried the Carib Sea Moonlight white but it was wayyy too fine.

[kyhokie]

the play sand is also too fine in my opinion. you can go to a pool supply shop and get pool filter sand (pfs) and it is a much larger grain than play sand and easier to vacumn. It will run about 8 bucks for 50 lbs, but plants grow great in it and it doesnt hurt corys or plecos when they root about.

[L number Banana]

Hi, just had to change my sand Saturday to make it suitable for cats, Black Seachem Flourite in back and 'whitish' homedepot silica sand in front called decora sand. If you feel the sand in the bags that already have holes in them - usually a whole pile- the playsand is lovely but the silica sand is REALLy smooth. The silica sand may compact more than the playsand - could be a problem for trapping bubbles if you don't have critters moving through it. Playsand was $6 for 50lbs, silica was $10 for 50lbs.
Cheers

[artgecko]

Thanks for the suggestions...

We do have a pool supply place in town, so I can check out the pool filter sand... Can anyone tell me what "color" it is? Is it really white or more "play sand" colored? I'd like a more natural looking and/or darker sand substrate...so whatever I go with I may mix with a plant sand like the seachem black florite sand.

I recently contacted seachem and they said that both the onyx and florite sands are safe for catfish and that the only diff. is the nutrient content (florite is about 2x as dense in iron).

Art

[Martin S]

Thanks for the suggestions...

We do have a pool supply place in town, so I can check out the pool filter sand... Can anyone tell me what "color" it is? Is it really white or more "play sand" colored? I'd like a more natural looking and/or darker sand substrate...so whatever I go with I may mix with a plant sand like the seachem black florite sand.

I recently contacted seachem and they said that both the onyx and florite sands are safe for catfish and that the only diff. is the nutrient content (florite is about 2x as dense in iron).

Art

I have used pool filter sand, and it's normally sand coloured
I prefer it to play sand as it's a bit coarser, and have no problems growing plants in it. I purchased sand from my LFS for my current tank, the grain-size is about half way between play and filter sand, and although it is slightly more expensive, for a small tank, I only needed a few 2KG bags (at £3 per bag). If you are filling a large tank, then the pool or play sand works out a lot cheaper.
Martin

[L number Banana]

Hi,
The decora (silica)sand is white/light grey and the playsand is as Martin S said, sand colour Much more natural. Haven't see the filter sand myself.

I talked to the seachem guys as well about the flourite, no problem, the fellow said it was like tumbled slate chips. When you rub it between your palms it's not sharp at all. I've got the two colours so I can watch it get mixed - see who goes where, eventually it will be all speckled.

You may want to look in a floral department to see their tumbled stones too, small 1/4" max. Very smooth and natural colours, called riverstone. Don't forget to post pics when you're done

[Richard B]

The pic of the onyx sand looks like the grains are a bit angular & therefore not great for sifter-types (corys, whiptais etc)

The black fluorite looks better as the grains look smaller but it is hard to tell.

pool filter sand is ok as is play sand & silica sand as all have rounded grains. Silica & play sand are very fine & do compact so only thin layers should be used.

Have you thought about having a split bottom area - ie a terraced area of plants & a separate area of fine sand - there are some pics of the kinda thing i mean in threads somewhere by apistomaster.

If you have any doubts about the smoothness or sharpness/roughness of the sand - use your hands to swirl some round a bucket - be vigourous - if if feels rough, avoid it.

Additionally some stores sell actual river sands which are generally ok.

[artgecko]

Thanks everyone for your help!

I found a really good price online for the flourite black sand (and the site had reasonable shipping too) so I ordered 3 bags of it. I plan on mixing it with pool filter sand (about 2/3 flourite and 1/3 filter sand) to achieve a more natural look. I will let you guys know what the flourite sand is actually like in-person. I'm hoping that it will not be rough. I currently have the onyx sand in a tank and it does not seem to bother the catfish barbels. I wanted a higher-nutrient substrate for the plants, which is why the flourite black sand appealed to me (it has about 2x the iron and other nutrients as the onyx).

Thanks again!
Art