bulk sand/substrate?

[Sriracha]

Looking to find somewhere locally to buy bulk sand or gravel substrate for a planted tank. I'm looking for around 200lbs and trying to avoid paying $23 a bag for eco earth (ouch). Any insight would be helpful. Also avoiding silica play sand, seen too many negative reviews rather than positive ones. Thanks.

 

[mchambers]

If you want an inexpensive substrate, I'd go with pool filter sand. It's about $7 for 50 pounds. It's not a great substrate for growing plants, however. It will work with the right plants.

Search on the forum for pool or pfs and you'll find lots of helpful posts.

 

[jonclark96]

+1 on pool filter sand, although I think I paid $10 for a 50 pound bag.

 

[69cichlids]

At home depot I got some stuff just like pfs its some fine industrial sand. Paid 8 bucks for 2 50 lbs bags

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[Sriracha]

could you possibly provide me with the name of what you bought at home depot? I haven't been able to find a place that sold pool filter sand, (the Lowes and Homedepot near my area does not carry it) any recommended stores in northern virginia area?

 

[verbal]

could you possibly provide me with the name of what you bought at home depot? I haven't been able to find a place that sold pool filter sand, (the Lowes and Homedepot near my area does not carry it) any recommended stores in northern virginia area?

I bought some Pool Filter Sand a Leslie's Pool in Vienna.

 

[mchambers]

In Fairfax, I went to Huston Pools (www.hustonpools.com). Their pfs was sort of a blend of light and dark grains. I like it, but it probably doesn't work for everyone.

You might want to call first.

 

[69cichlids]

could you possibly provide me with the name of what you bought at home depot? I haven't been able to find a place that sold pool filter sand, (the Lowes and Homedepot near my area does not carry it) any recommended stores in northern virginia area?

Yeah, I'll look when I get home from work, I tried looking online with hd but couldn't find it.

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[toddnbecka]

If you want a black substrate Tractor Supply sells Black Diamond blasting grit (coal slag) $8/50lb bag. Completely inert, looks/acts just like black sand except no silica, so no diatoms.

 

[69cichlids]

I can't find the bag I had, must of used it all up...if I remember right it just said industrial sand, I read it and it was washed and dried and has silica in it...best bet would be to just walk into hd or a home improvement store and just look at what they have. Thats what I did. i couldn't find any pfs in iowa durning the winter so I just walked in hd and read the back and made sure it was a fine sand and had silica in it.

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