i would always recommend rinsing anything you put in the tank, you wash your filter, powerheads, rocks, thermometer, etc. if there is a way to do so id recommend it, but its not neccessary i dont think
i would recommend not going with play sand though, i would go more towards construction grade(fine) as opposed to play sand, they contain a lot more silicates than typical construction sand, which in turn could give you diatom and nitrate problems in the future...
its not the greatest idea but it can be a bottom of the substrate filler with LS or aragonite or both on top.....i did this and it works well, heres a pic
Seems to me I remember reading a thread somewhere that had a lengthy article about silicates in sand. The authors opinion seems to be it didn't really matter. Most likely boils down to personal experience/taste. Something similar to the big bio ball debate
I have also had an lfs say that the addition of LR will almost immediately seed a sand bed.
As for me? I really have no idea. I am a throw back to the cc days but have put play sand in a thirty gallon I have just set up plumbed out to my main tank. Now its just wait and see time.
Originally Posted by Murph
Seems to me I remember reading a thread somewhere that had a lengthy article about silicates in sand. The authors opinion seems to be it didn't really matter. Most likely boils down to personal experience/taste. Something similar to the big bio ball debate
I have also had an lfs say that the addition of LR will almost immediately seed a sand bed.
As for me? I really have no idea. I am a throw back to the cc days but have put play sand in a thirty gallon I have just set up plumbed out to my main tank. Now its just wait and see time.
thank for ur info any one else
yeah, i baught a 50lb bag of sand from homedepot and the lr will eventually seed the sand. but my lfs sells LS by the pound so if u really want to kick start your cycle get a cupple punds of ls and put it over the playsand
good luck! :happyfish
like i said i used construction grade fine sand that has that white look under lights, and it was 3.85 for a 50lb bag from the home depot, it has seeded great and does real well, its all a matter of look you want to acheive..and the 40lbs of aragonite on top gives it an even more great look, it was something like 60 bucks for 40lbs from my LFS
Originally Posted by richie1742
yeah, i baught a 50lb bag of sand from homedepot and the lr will eventually seed the sand but my lfs sells LS by the puund also so if u really want o kick start your cycle get a cupple punds of ls and put it over the playsand
good luck! :happyfish
thank richie any one else also do i have to rinse the sand befor putting it in or can i just put it in i know when i put sand in my fresh water tank i didnt need to wash..
Originally Posted by richie1742
yeah, i baught a 50lb bag of sand from homedepot and the lr will eventually seed the sand. but my lfs sells LS by the pound so if u really want to kick start your cycle get a cupple punds of ls and put it over the playsand
good luck! :happyfish
as i agree but didnt know before hand....i quickly added that once i had the substrate down, i only bought a 10 lbs bag so it hasnt really affected too much but just an extra kick to the substrate
and no rinsing is not neccessary, as long as you are establishing your tank now, as opposed to adding it with fish in there, which i dont remember reading either way...
Originally Posted by carshark
like i said i used construction grade fine sand that has that white look under lights, and it was 3.85 for a 50lb bag from the home depot, it has seeded great and does real well, its all a matter of look you want to acheive..and the 40lbs of aragonite on top gives it an even more great look, it was something like 60 bucks for 40lbs from my LFS
Do a search for "southdown" on this board.
you'll find all the info you need on good and bad playsand.
I've got 700lbs. of South down in my 210. My fish love it and my calcium levels and pH couldn't be more stable