play sand

I hear you can use play sand and Mix with live sand or just use straight play sand is this a good idea

 

I wouldn't do it personally. but I am not an expert either. But there is some type of play sand you can use I just don't know which kind. Sorry.

 

I have use it and have had no problems in 4 tanks that have been running since June. I bought Koncrete play sand from Lowe's and my corys love it and it's nice and soft for my puffer's scaleless tummy when he sleeps. I just poured some into a bucket until it was 1/3 full and then sprayed it with water from a hose and poured it out until the water coming out was clear. I didn't use any live sand either.

EDIT: I should mention my saltwater tank is FOWLR.

 

There you go then..

 

thanks i heard it was old castel sand that works but then they said any play sand so thanks for the advice

 

It has to be an aragonite based sand otherwise it will bind with an element in the salt water (calcium I believe) and turn rock hard.

If you take some play sand and pour vinegar on it, it will fizz and bubble if it is safe. If the sand is not safe it will just become wet.

 

Are you sure about this? I've read when looking to add a rock to a freshwater tank you do NOT want it to fizzle because that means bad things will slowly (and/or quickly) escape the rock into your water.

Also, I remembered it was Quikrete not Koncrete.

 

Thats FRESHWATER in saltwater i think if it's calicum based it would fizz thats how i decide to use some rocks it should be same for sand

 

x2

 

x3. The fizzing is the calcium carbonate breaking apart into calcium and alkalinity due to the low pH.

The fizzing is also only bad in freshwater if you want a low pH. The reaction of CaCO2 breaking apart will raise the dkh and pH of the tank. If you want a high pH freshwater tank (7.5+), these rocks are perfect, since they won't let the pH get any lower.