Substrate

[Reed]

I want to change my substrate and wanted to know is there are preferred material? I currently have a thin layer crushed shells I have a mixed Mbunas in a 72 bowfront with FX5?

Is sand better then gravel? Is sand is easy to clean?
What about plan old gravel?
Where is a good place to get it?
Any one getting rid some or have some fore sale?

 

[jonclark96]

I like pool filter sand. It is affordable ($10 for a 50 pound bag), looks good, and can be cleaned easily.

 

[mchambers]

I also greatly prefer pool filter sand. Find a pool supply store nearby. Probably should call first to see if they have any in stock in late November.

Also, it can vary in color quite a bit, if that matters to you.

 

[dogofwar]

I prefer pool filter sand as it's course enough to siphon and a nice color.

I've got a couple of buckets of it for sale, if you'd like to get some (I don't know...$5/bucket for 50-60 pounds if you bring your own bucket or $8/bucket if you want mine )...

I'm in Potomac/Rockville right off of Exit 5 on 270...

Matt

 

[Tony]

I've also got PFS mixed with crushed coral in almost all of my African tanks.

 

[Reed]

Is this they sand you are taking about
http://www.lesliespool.com/Home/Filters-and-Filter-Supplies/Filter-Supplies/14700.html

 

[dogofwar]

Yes - pool filter sand

 

[toddnbecka]

If you want a black substrate Tractor Supply sells Black Diamond blasting grit for $8/50 lb bag. It's actually coal slag, completely inert, looks and acts like sand but no silica so no daitom bloom when you put it into the tank. I put 100 lbs of it into my 220 a couple months ago, love it so far.

 

[Hawkman2000]

I was just going to post a thread asking about play sand. The type used for sand boxes.

I have seen PFS in a few tanks and the looked great.

I love the black diamond idea. The black substrate seems to make the fish stand out more (to me at least). Gunna have to try that one sometime.

 

[mchambers]

I greatly prefer pfs over play sand. Play sand is too fine. It gets sucked up when you vacuum the bottom and it gets in your filter. When you refill the tank, it gets blown all over.

Pfs has none of those issues.

 

[dogofwar]

+1

...and PFS is ready to go into the tank right out of the bag (Play sand is usually really dirty)...

As an aside, I don't like to use much substrate (of any kind). I think I put 50 pounds of PFS in my 6x2x2 180g...

Matt

I greatly prefer pfs over play sand. Play sand is too fine. It gets sucked up when you vacuum the bottom and it gets in your filter. When you refill the tank, it gets blown all over.

Pfs has none of those issues.

 

[Reed]

Just pucked up a bag of PFS from Leslie pool for $10. What a deal. Will be putting it in tommorrow

 

[Tony]

You have chosen... wisely.

(How *seriously* cool a Lego set is that? lol)

 

[Reed]

Here is the tank with PFS and video update

 

[crazyclowntang]

PFS+1

 

[frkyltn]

PFS+1

:animal0028: