White Fine Sand for Planted Tanks

[anakin]

Hi, thinking of creating a tank with white substrate. Just wondering if there's any available fine sand that doesn't alter pH of the water in the market.

I notice Amano uses Rio Negro Sand in some of his tank - would appreciate if someone can direct me to where I can get it. Thanks.

[brianclaw]

You can try Nature Aquarium(oppo Thomson Medical Centre), I think it's Sera brand.

[tawauboy]

fine sand is not recommended for planted tank because they can become compacted and crush the roots of plants.

[Fei Miao]

Hi, thinking of creating a tank with white substrate. Just wondering if there's any available fine sand that doesn't alter pH of the water in the market.

I notice Amano uses Rio Negro Sand in some of his tank - would appreciate if someone can direct me to where I can get it. Thanks.

If you look carefully, the white sand or river sand, are used only in the foreground, and where they are used it's void of plants, it's purely for aesthetics, the substrate in the planted areas are ADA soil.

LFS which carrys ADA products should have them, otherwise you can try Keong Seong. There are cheaper alternatives in most lfs but not sure if these alters the pH.

[anakin]

Thanks tawauboy & Fei Miao, wasn't intending to plant plants on the sand. In fact - that's precisely what I want to do - to leave it bare so the tank looks brighter. My so called 'planted tank' consists only of ferns, bolbitis and moss, so substrate wouldn't matter much.

Will call Chan to find out then, thanks brianclaw. Anyone else want to share their experience?

[hwchoy]

just got ADA Nile sand which is dark grey. wah lao have to wash like siao man.

[BFG]

Hwchoy, how much it cost? I've tried Colisa sand, also very siong to wash. After the 5th bucket of water, still very cloudy. Felt like wasting alot of water, washing the sand. Seems like a stupid idea, washing sand. Has anyone ever gives a thought about it, I mean washing sand?!

[hwchoy]

$23 for 2.6kg pack, more than 10 times the cost of lapis, and lapis dun even need to wash

[PeterGwee]

Is it meant to be wash? Maybe you just have to be careful when filling up the water would do.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[hwchoy]

dun wash cannot leh.

[BFG]

The water will be milky when the sand is added. The Colisa sand that I used previously was a chore to wash. Waste alot of water cleaning it.

[XnSdVd]

I'm probably the newest/youngest guy here but it's MUCH easier if you just wash in smaller ammounts. Get a shallow container, I use a tray, more of the substrate is exposed so it gets washed faster. You save water too

[feng andy]

hi guys will be happy dat you guys can tell me where i can get cheap lapis and sand can i use lapis only to plant the plants?

[XnSdVd]

yup, i use lapis myself. as for where to get it cheap... Dirt cheap would be buying from suppliers. Most of us just get it from shops

[hwchoy]

lapis is so cheap, $16 for 22kg pack. carry until you get hernia sia.

[anakin]

dun wash cannot leh.

True, especially when we keep usually get sand digging fishes like cories and cichlids when we use sand. In no time they'll cloud the water if the substrate is not cleaned properly. I'm using Dennerle substrate and as it is, my cories are sending detritus into the water every time they forage for food - reminding me to do my weekly substrate clean-up.

[juggler]

The fine white sand will turn brownish over time from algae and detritus.
Maybe save some extra white sand to pour over the old ones before your photo taking.

[anakin]

Thanks Juggler, never thought of that. Hmm...

[hwchoy]

white sand will be very challenging to get a properly exposed picture. that's why wedding pix hard to take ah, all the brides insist on wearing white.

[benny]

Hi, thinking of creating a tank with white substrate. Just wondering if there's any available fine sand that doesn't alter pH of the water in the market.

I notice Amano uses Rio Negro Sand in some of his tank - would appreciate if someone can direct me to where I can get it. Thanks.

I bought the ADA Rio Negro sand. They come in 8 kg pack and if I recall correctly, it was S$58 per pack. Keong Seong can bring it in for you.

Cheers,