Bbroom89's Tank/s Log

[bbroom89]

Sorry to ask a silly question, i am right in thinking kids play sand is ok in the aquarium?

[plankton]

It's not a silly question.
You can use playsand, but it tends to compact and cause anaerobic/anionic areas which can contain bad gasses like H2S, this can cause ph crashes and dilute sulphurous acid (not sulphuric).
I suggest not using it because of the possible problems.
If you do go with it, you'll need to make sure you "stir" it just before every weekly water change (and you should stick to at least weekly changes).

[Stephen]

Sorry to ask a silly question, i am right in thinking kids play sand is ok in the aquarium?

No question is considered a silly question, you either know or you don't know, so ask.

Play sand is a cheap sand which is very fine and lightweight.

You can use playsand, but it tends to compact and cause anaerobic/anionic areas which can contain bad gasses like H2S, this can cause ph crashes and dilute sulphurous acid (not sulphuric).
I suggest not using it because of the possible problems.

I agree.
Being fine and lightweight it is easily disturbed and sometimes can even enter the filter and clog it up.
Play sand is not a good medium if you have (or intend to have) live plants, because it is so fine and lightweight it is difficult for plants to anchor their roots.
It is far better to use a sand such as the Unipac brand, I use Unipac Samoa fine sand (only fine by name as they also make a coarse version).
The Unipac Samoa fine sand is the correct grain size at 1000 µ to 1600 µ (1mm-1.6mm) and has some weight, ideal for plants to anchor their roots and suitable for fish such as Corydoras and/or eartheater type Cichlids (I have both).
I also like the Unipac Samoa fine sand as it is of a more natural colour, it costs around £13 for a 10kg bag.

If on a strict budget then I would suggest saving up for a better sand.

All the best

[bbroom89]

Thanks for the adivce,

So what is the difference between my 1mm gravel and say the Unipac 1mm sand? Will shell dwellers be able to move the gravel as it is so fine and no need to add a sandy side to my tank?

Also, slate rocks soaking and going in today hopefully!

[Stephen]

So what is the difference between my 1mm gravel and say the Unipac 1mm sand? Will shell dwellers be able to move the gravel as it is so fine and no need to add a sandy side to my tank?

There is probably little or no difference.
You could describe my Unipac Samoa fine sand as being a fine gravel because it does look like a fine gravel without any sharp bits.

[bbroom89]

There is probably little or no difference.
You could describe my Unipac Samoa fine sand as being a fine gravel because it does look like a fine gravel without any sharp bits.

That makes my job a lot easier as i like this gravel anyway so happy to have that as the whole substrate!

[bbroom89]

The rocky side of the tank!

[Martinspuddle]

Food for thought...

[bbroom89]

I do love the colours of Malawi, no one seems to do Tanganyikan though so maybe I can give them a bit of focus! May all change again though lol.

Is anyone having trouble viewing my embedded images, i cannot see them for some reason!

[Martinspuddle]

Is anyone having trouble viewing my embedded images, i cannot see them for some reason!

Internet is running slow, I have this trouble every weekend.