Amano Style Cosmetic Gravel

[jljx]

Hi all,
Any idea where we can here get something similar to the Brightly Sand that Amano uses in his latest tank setups?

Cheers,
Jason

[ADA]

Saw many bags available at EC.

[jljx]

Thing is... trying to find a cheaper alternative... not shiru sand but the coarser yellowish kind... anyone ever tried using cosmetic sand in their setup?

[|squee|]

I tried, simply not worth it. Mine was pure white sand that I bought from NA.

I don't know how the rest do it, but keeping it clean and free of dirt was pure torture. Worse than trimming plants weekly.

[benny]

I recall some shops in Pasir Ris (Lorong Harlus) having fine yellowish gravel that's almost like river sand. About S$12 a pack of 10 kg.

Cheers,

[StanChung]

Vacuum dirty bits and replace. Yes, it's a rich man's hobby. lol.
Seriously, you might be able to recycle if you siphon into a bucket.

Alternatively, white silica sand for pet sand boxes might work.

[V31]

Anyone tried ADA Rio Negro sand? It seems to be really fine. We don't have any ADA seller in our country and I can't precheck its granularity before I order. Is anyone able to tell me what is one grain diameter?

I usually use quartz sand with 1 to 2 milimeters grain diameter.
Thanks. Regards Lukas

[V31]

Alternatively, white silica sand for pet sand boxes might work.

Good idea, I thought about using small bags with white silica sand for chinchilla bathing. But it's a bit dirty and I don't know how to clean it.

[ranmasatome]

Rio Negro is nice.. no worries..

[valice]

I don't know how the rest do it, but keeping it clean and free of dirt was pure torture. Worse than trimming plants weekly.

Use cories to do the job. WHen they dig around, they will kick up the dirt... And the filter will do the rest...

This is what I observed from my tank... Clean sand as the cories constantly kick up sand and poo from the plecos...

[benny]

Anyone tried ADA Rio Negro sand? It seems to be really fine. We don't have any ADA seller in our country and I can't precheck its granularity before I order. Is anyone able to tell me what is one grain diameter?

I usually use quartz sand with 1 to 2 milimeters grain diameter.
Thanks. Regards Lukas

It's much more fine that the quartz sand you are using. It's like river sand. I can only describle it as soft and silky when it runs through your hand.

Cheers,

[Wackytpt]

How about using ADA bright sand? I remember Europet sand is also another choice that Benny recommended me.

[gregorsamsa]

Use cories to do the job. WHen they dig around, they will kick up the dirt... And the filter will do the rest...

This is what I observed from my tank... Clean sand as the cories constantly kick up sand and poo from the plecos...

having a sand based foreground has the problem of changing colour too. i believe some people use the smaller siphon to get rid of the detritus.

other wise, i think before a photoshoot, they will use lay a new foreground.

[V31]

It's much more fine that the quartz sand you are using. It's like river sand. I can only describle it as soft and silky when it runs through your hand.

Cheers,

How about stronger water flow caused by filter? Does it throw the sand up?

[StanChung]

Depending on how strong, it creates ripples like those on the beach. The marine guys love this. However, at that strength, your plants may be tangled up!

[V31]

Stronger but not like hurricane's strenght
I compare it to sand for chinchilla bathing. It's like powder and every disturbance makes it flowing everywhere. Well, rionegro seems ok thanks guy.

[StanChung]

in order of fineness!
fine>rio negro>silica sand>shirui>extremely fine
rio negro still is coarser than common iodised salt. silica sand is as fine as iodised salt. shirui is wispy like powder.
Your choice. From xp, shirui is a siphon and throw thing to keep the layout clean. You may be able to recycle it by siphoning it into a bucket.