Setting up a 125g, sand question

[MAV75]

Hi,
I will be setting up a 125g tank that I just bought. I want to use sand, but I have always used crushed coral. I have read on past threads about using pool filter sand, does anyone have any brands that you would recommend?
I will be setting it up with Tanganyikans, so I need something that can keep the ph high.
Can anyone recommend a pool supply store in the Burke/Fairfax area?
Last time I was at Aquatic Obsessions, some of their tanks had black and white sand mixed together, would I be able to find those colors of sand to mix at a pool supply store?
Thanks for the input, your opinions and experiences are always greatly appreciated.
Mauricio

 

[minifoot77]

pool filter sand is tan in color and is inert so no ph change... i use a brand called light house and it seems to be ok

 

[MonteSS]

My PFS is white. Not sure what brand it is. You will only find black in a pet store. Here is mostly white with black mixe in. About 5:1 i think.

...Bill

 

[MAV75]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will get some black sand to mix in with the pool filter sand, it looks awesome. Does anyone know if places like Home Depot carry this kind of sand?

 

[MonteSS]

Look in the yellow pages under Pools and make some calls. PFS is very clean, unlike any sand you will find ay HD or Lowes. I find it is larger grains too so sinks fas and stays down, even with my eartheaters spitting it all over the place.

...Bill

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Monte is right. The big stores usually carry "play sand" which is much finer than pool filter sand. It is harder to clean and usually makes the water column cloudy with any disturbance. The stuff at pool places is still very reasonably priced, and can just be rinsed and added. Good luck!

 

[F8LBITE]

Hatchik pool supply on Port Royal rd carries it and is very close to Burke.

 

[MAV75]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the info.

 

[DonkeyFish]

I'm a little late to the dance, but I've always gotten my pool sand (for myself and many others, LOL) at Pool Pros over here in Chantilly off Rte. 50. It's something like a whopping $10 for 50 pounds. Over the winter I set up a new 55 and couldn't find any pool sand (all the stores were out or closed until spring) so I did play sand. It doesn't compare. VERY dirty (had to rinse FOREVER) and the grain size is a little smaller. The only upside is it has bigger pieces of "stuff" like shell bits in it to give a little natural texture, if you're into that sort of thing.

To get the black I'd try finding some of the 3M Colorquartz sand, comes in a bunch of colors (including black). Most of the sands you'll get at the pet store IME are fairly fine grain and will wind up sifting to the bottom and you'll have two tones---in layers

Michael Barber can get the 3M stuff, there's some place in Springfield that still carries it.

Caleb's right on the PFS (and Colorquartz) though, they are both inert so you'll have to raise your pH some other way.

Oh, and welcome (again late)! Nice to see some more VA up in here!

 

[MAV75]

I also have some questions about using big pieces of holey rock in the tank. I would like to put some sort of foam at the bottom of the tank, will the sand work well with a foam pad underneath?
Does anyone have any recommendations for the foam padding i can use?

 

[MAV75]

Jen,
Thanks for the welcome and the helpful advice.

 

[NYfan78]

hey i have about 100# of holey rock in my 55 gallon and have crushed coral substrait. Just place it in and dont drop it and u wont need foam!

 

[Tony]

I also have some questions about using big pieces of holey rock in the tank. I would like to put some sort of foam at the bottom of the tank, will the sand work well with a foam pad underneath?
Does anyone have any recommendations for the foam padding i can use?

A lot of folks use the white plastic "eggcrate" diffuser sheets you find at Home Depot.

 

[DonkeyFish]

^ ditto. I know a bunch of people who use the eggcrate, but haven't heard of using foam. Not saying it wouldn't work by any means, just that I haven't heard of it.

I think there's someone on here who made a background with foam, they might be able to chime in on what/how/etc. Wish I could remember who it was.... sorry!