Recommendation for fine sand

[bawater]

yazid, i read that article & some others as well-anything that is inert can be used as a substrate-it is because of the volume needed that u look for the most economical.

Actually a mixture of sizes work best -just as in nature. My current tank i mixed no.1,no.3,no.5 & silica beach sand with big chunks of coral chips(those LH size).i saw that over abt a yr- all the fine sand will settle to the bottom & leave u with the bigger pieces on top. i had 4 yrs to watch what happen in the sediment. beach sand does not contribute to algae blooms if washed properly(as thought,yes diatoms use silicates to produce their shells but they would prefer glass'tank walls' as its harder to take from sand-and what is glass made of?). Finer substrate area is prefered by the worms

My new one i'm using the same riversand but i lay 1" of that at the bottom layer-then no.1 on top. mixing it together is up to your visual preference -seems to naturally go back to the bottom anyway. actually no.1 is sort of the biggest size u should go for DSB.

i'm using that quartz sand too(10kg of that & 5kg beach sand),although i would prefer something more white.

[yazid]

Yeah I think #1 should be the maximum size for a DSB. Even the Dr Ron photos, those coarse substrate is removed as it reduces the worm access to the surface.

I'll keep it to #0 at the bottom and #1 on the top layer. Unless I can get hold of another 3 10kg bags of fine sand.

[clowntrigger]

I was at C328 yesterday and happen to find a sand that I think is #0 that is selling few shop away from C328. The sand is not beige in colour(normal coral sand colour), but more towards grey white. It is definetly smaller than #1, from the look and feel of it, more like fine sugar. If you are near that place, take a look at it, it is selling in 5KG pack. As for the price, I did not ask.

[lona]

Hi All,

I just got wondering, ever see that dry grey-white sand on the upper section of the beach? I never really paid attention to it..

So just wondering, is the grain size for that larger than the particles nearer the shore? As far as I can remember..that's also sugar fine. And since it's been suggested, as long as the substrate's inert, it shouldn't matter whether it's quartz or coral sand, anyone ever thought of going to the beach to harvest that sand? Or if anyone's done that..what are the results?

Or am I just sprouting nonsense..?

[yazid]

I was at C328 yesterday and happen to find a sand that I think is #0 that is selling few shop away from C328. The sand is not beige in colour(normal coral sand colour), but more towards grey white. It is definetly smaller than #1, from the look and feel of it, more like fine sugar. If you are near that place, take a look at it, it is selling in 5KG pack. As for the price, I did not ask.

C328.... cheeiimm.. Sounds like in the army. Is that codewords or coordinates. Where is it?

[lona]

oh ya..forgot to ask as well, Bawater,

You mention washing the sand well..it won't cause algae blooms, can I ask how you define washing the sand well. I mean, I wash mine until the water runs clear lar..but just wanted to be sure if there's another way I don't know about..

[NormanH]

Hi Phang,

I m interested in #0 sand u mentioned. Can give us details like cost, delivery time bra,bra,bra. Also, anyone know how many packets of sand I need for a 400mm x 400mm x 6" sump ? Thank u.

[clowntrigger]

C328.... cheeiimm.. Sounds like in the army. Is that codewords or coordinates. Where is it?

sorry, just return from ICT C328 means Clementi Blk 328, there is about 3 LFS there, mainly on fresh water stuff. Some of the stuff there is a real bargain, very common named place in Arofranatics and Aqualrealm....

[Phang]

Hi Phang,

I m interested in #0 sand u mentioned. Can give us details like cost, delivery time bra,bra,bra. Also, anyone know how many packets of sand I need for a 400mm x 400mm x 6" sump ? Thank u.

Hey... not me..... Its the one that can supply....

But well, can pass you the contact.... Frankly...I dun really know him well...... but only know he runs a LFS in Malaysia.... knows his stuff well though......

So, if you are interested....... you have to do the ground work.........

[bawater]

lona- if u take from the wet part, u need to kill it first(soak in tapwater,change fresh water every 3days for 2 weeks). i'm more bothered that u make sure everything is dead then clean.

its the same sand only that the bottom part is wet so colour difference. once u wet the collected portion it will be the same colour.

i did get a diatom bloom on the sand- but no difference if i only used No.1 or No.3 or No.5(bloom still comes)its more to do with the cycle of your tank,& from my visits even LFS with pure No.1 get that bloom.

If u get a hair algae bloom-let the algae grow long on the sand then use a cd cover & scrape off the top 0.5cm-1cm layer & u have another form of nutrient removal-harvesting on a regular basis or u can get a snail to graze. i will take green hair algae anyday compare to cyano or dino.

i don't use a very big amount-on the one i tried i used 20kg sand to 20kg No.1

In my next maybe i will end with 10kg beach sand & 10kg quartz sand out of total 80kg, more just to mix & get an assortment of sizes.(the only reason i use quartz sand was cause i have a 10kg bag spare after a FW setup)

i still end with No.1 on top for colouration & visual preference.

Only other persons i know is bluebeard & his brother who are using high percentage of beach sand.i have used changi beach sand & pasir ris,i find that changi has a better whiter/greyish effect but pasir ris has more uniform grains.

Yazid, its opp the MRT station/opp the central(up the slope head towards playground).

[clowntrigger]

Hi Guys

I know a place where you can get #1 sand now. I have just been there and they have about 9 packs left and the price is $9 for a 10KG bag. Here is the address

Block 123, Bukit Merah Lane 1, #01-114

Tel : 62713308

Close at 8pm

Just in case you do not know where this is, it is opposite Queensway shopping, where the 4 story shop houses is, this shop is by the side of the OCBC bank. Hurry, while stocks last......

[lona]

Bawater,

Thanks for the input on the washing process. I will most prb try the beach sand..I'm now thinking of making that the majority of my DSB prb up to 3.5inch..0.5 inch I'll use #1 sand.

Time to go and steal sand from the beach..BWAHAHAHA...

[NormanH]

Phang, can u pm me his contact? thank u

[Anthony]

"I was at C328 yesterday and happen to find a sand that I think is #0 that is selling few shop away from C328. The sand is not beige in colour(normal coral sand colour), but more towards grey white. It is definetly smaller than #1, from the look and feel of it, more like fine sugar. If you are near that place, take a look at it, it is selling in 5KG pack. As for the price, I did not ask. "

ya that shop got sell... is 24hr LFS ... they put #1 sand ... but is veri fine ... they selling @ $7/5kg.

[yazid]

I went to Petmart today trying to get another 3 bag of #0 fine sand aka beach sand. There is no stock but Petmart said they'll order it and will bring it tomorrow.

So guys if any of you wants #0 fine sand from Petmart, do call them up so they know how many more to bring in tomorrow (Friday).

[eprouve]

Hmmm... you had better call before you go as well. Sun before last they told me Tuesday. Wed I went and they told me Friday. Friday I went, they called their warehouse who told them no stock. I was looking for #1 then...