Sand question?

[Noah 123]

Hi. Just wondering if I have to use live sand for a 10 gallon I'll be starting? Or can I use playground sand (rinsed, of course)? That's about 4 times cheaper!

[devildog12210]

For a 10 gallon tank using prepackaged live sand is really a no brainer. The cost is extremely low being as you will only need one bag.

[DSMpunk]

Buy the stuff made for reef tanks.

[Noah 123]

It's still 20 bucks instead of 5.

[gone fishin]

I would not use playground sand but you could use just dry aragonite sand. It will eventually become live.

[devildog12210]

It's still 20 bucks instead of 5.

Please don't take offense to this but if that's truly the attitude you have you will have a tough time in this hobby. I've used the "play sand" before. I spent hours upon hours of rinsing it. If I was putting together a very large rank the cost difference may very well be worth the effort. That's a $50 vs $500 comparison. A small tank where the difference is so insignificant, it's shouldn't even really be a question.

[Typo R]

Those extra $15 will be worth the peace of mind and possibly save you a lot more with the potential issues that play sand may bring.

[imkelz]

ive rinsed play sand for my fteshwater tank and its so dusty. seriously only about 30% of it was sand. the rest was silt and it took so long. never again

[gone fishin]

The trouble with the playground sand is its make up. Most playground sands are quartz or silica based which can cause issues itself in a tank. Also ,playground sand tends to be a lot more course and have sharp edges. So any bottom dweller could have a difficult time. Ultimately it is your tank and you will do what you want. Just my 2 cents.

[Reefer54]

The trouble with the playground sand is its make up. Most playground sands are quartz or silica based which can cause issues itself in a tank. Also ,playground sand tends to be a lot more course and have sharp edges. So any bottom dweller could have a difficult time. Ultimately it is your tank and you will do what you want. Just my 2 cents.

took the words out of my fingers.

why buy sand at all....go barebottom if you want to save the 20 bux, or better yet, buy cooler rock...but make sure you stuff as much rock as you can in that tiny tank.

[710Reefer]

took the words out of my fingers.

Why buy sand at all....go barebottom if you want to save the 20 bux, or better yet, buy cooler rock...but make sure you stuff as much rock as you can in that tiny tank. +1

[Noah 123]

Please don't take offense to this but if that's truly the attitude you have you will have a tough time in this hobby. I've used the "play sand" before. I spent hours upon hours of rinsing it. If I was putting together a very large rank the cost difference may very well be worth the effort. That's a $50 vs $500 comparison. A small tank where the difference is so insignificant, it's shouldn't even really be a question.

I know it's only 15 bucks more, but any money I can save is better. I just wanted to know if I could use the playground sand (I use it in my semi-aquatic brackish fiddler crab tank). I really don't mind buying live sand. Besides, as I just found out, they lowered the price! :bounce1: Now it's only 12.95!

[Noah 123]

took the words out of my fingers.

why buy sand at all....go barebottom if you want to save the 20 bux, or better yet, buy cooler rock...but make sure you stuff as much rock as you can in that tiny tank.

Also I can't go barebottom. The tank will be dedicated to marine hermits, a star, sexy shrimp, and possibly a squat lobster (all inverts! :bounce1:).

[Mhay]

As everyone else has said buy the live sand or the dry, but not playground. I used it in my brackish tank and it was the biggest pain in my but. Not only was it filthy but it made a mess. You don't want to be cutting corners in this hobby or you are going to pay for it later. And you may pay 2,3,4 times as much as if you just did it right in the first place.

[pmrossetti]

I know it's only 15 bucks more, but any money I can save is better. I just wanted to know if I could use the playground sand (I use it in my semi-aquatic brackish fiddler crab tank). I really don't mind buying live sand. Besides, as I just found out, they lowered the price! :bounce1: Now it's only 12.95!

I wanna see that fiddler crab tank :)

[Xavibear]

Don't buy live sand, buy dry sand.

[SGT_York]

Playground sand will scratch your tank. You need calcium based sand not silicate.

[Noah 123]

I wanna see that fiddler crab tank :)

Eh. I might find the time to get a pic of it on here. Just hold up. :D