Author Topic: Pets at Home sand - a warning for newbies (Read 21390 times)

turbo200 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2014, 06:02:56 pm »

I have them days lol

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CraigS · « **Reply #16 on:** September 17, 2014, 02:45:04 pm »

Its because play sand is sterilised and washed to keep kids safe - I doubt normal sand is washed as its an expense.

Mol_PMB · « **Reply #17 on:** September 17, 2014, 04:27:32 pm »

Most 'building' sand is rather sharp and may also be treated with algaecide etc which is bad news for the tank. Some building sand is from dredging and could be salty.
Best to avoid unless you're sure

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JumpMaster · « **Reply #18 on:** September 17, 2014, 05:31:39 pm »

I thing that pool filter sand is quite nice and inexpensive.

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Joshurahrah · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2014, 11:03:42 pm »

I bought their really fine sand and it was a nightmare to clean. In the end I gave up and put it in even with the water being a little cloudy. It did settle in the end and its clear now. Hopefully it wont cause a problem in the future.

lexy99071 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2014, 12:17:57 am »

theres a fine pink gravel/sand that makes the ph higher. its about 2/3mm big. I'm sure there was other colours too. Is play sand (form hobby craft) fine for tanks?

waynes world · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2014, 09:43:45 am »

Hi Lexy, all play sand is generaly the same, as its for kids so they have to, but i myself would find it cheaper at DIY stores and garden centers, around a few quid for 25kg bags.

Mpstebbo · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2014, 10:10:04 am »

Im just starting out and by the looks of this thread I will be getting some kids play sand from either homebase or b & q .. seems cheap enough to me , how often do you have to change the sand or do you just clean it every week or fortnight ?

plankton · « **Reply #23 on:** October 21, 2014, 11:05:39 am »

You just need to waft the cleaner over it as you do the weekly water change.
You don't need to change it unless you get problems with compaction and trapped nasty gasses etc.

scoobiemandan · « **Reply #24 on:** November 16, 2014, 08:31:47 am »

Hmm, I have their pewter sand in my Betta tank and the black stuff in my community tank and although I've not tested the hardness in either I've lost no fish or shrimp! Hardness for my area is only 115ppm in any case so perhaps any additional wouldn't have any great effect!?

Trouty · « **Reply #25 on:** March 18, 2015, 05:32:45 pm »

Thankfully i dont like sand in tanks so never had this issue after reading all this i am glad i dont use it.

JTaylor · « **Reply #26 on:** May 11, 2015, 07:45:38 pm »

been using P@H sand for 6 months in my 40L

The PH is high in the tank though but the fish seem happy a Mollie gave birth and Ive raised a fry in it and my ghost shrimp are pregnant...

but...

I'm upgrading to a 125L tank and fancy a change and don't want to continue with the slightly higher PH.

Does anyone use this? one of my mates works in argos and says that alot of people come in to buy it for there aquariums??

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3650574.htm

plankton · « **Reply #27 on:** May 12, 2015, 10:54:26 am »

Yes, people do buy playsand, but be careful as it tends to compact more than silica/river sand, so it mustn't be deeper than 2" and needs "stirring" regularly (just before water change).

boz1972 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 13, 2015, 08:40:23 pm »

Argos have play sand for £2.99 for 15kg. I use this, swill in a bucket with cold hose for an hour then it's ready to go. Cory and plecs love it and is a nice colour.

Lvlasked · « **Reply #29 on:** October 19, 2015, 05:06:11 pm »

Personal views I just wouldn't buy anything from pets at homes todo with fish they are poor and so there dry goods

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Author Topic: Pets at Home sand - a warning for newbies (Read 21390 times)

Joshurahrah

JTaylor

boz1972

Lvlasked