Loaches Online Forum

on the topic of sand many opinions excist.

Some people like filter sand, others playing sand - I myself got my sand from a road builder.

It was loaded with clay, but in all reality, this has never bothered me. In fact, I'm happy the sand is usable for growing plants

I myself got Silver Sand which is for horticultural use and is lime free.

It was inexpensive and it didn't need washing.

I believe it to be natural, from rivers and I like the way it looks but I don't grow plants in it so cannot comment on that aspect.

I have not needed to try other types so don't know how it compares but I would recommend Silver Sand.

Ive been planning for a future tank upgrade and plan on switching to sand for that tank.

I thought I was sold on pool filter sand but this video has me questioning it.

https://youtu.be/zrlY0OhIADk

This YouTuber says he likes the Nat Geo sand as it's easier to vacuum. Apparently you can syphon it almost like regular gravel whereas PFS, you'd just suck up sand. He does note that it's possible to not have the issues he had with said and detritus if you have strong circulation to keep the mulm off the sand. Also, I've read that it's supposedly not that hard to keep the syphon above the PFS and just lower it enough to only suck up the mulm.

Can anyobe share any thoughts or experiences please? Thanks.

I just did a quick search on another forum.

https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/foru ... el.588370/

He said it was junk so I don't know

It can depend on what country you live in & what you can get locally. I've used pool filter sand several times & "play" sand once (I didn't like it; dirty, & compacted easily). I don't like the whiteness of most pool sand in the US but it's larger grains than others & easier to clean...once you get the hang of it.

It will also depend on the loaches you plan to keep. Some are "sand sifters" (they take in sand in their mouths & eject it from their gills, like some cichlids) that need finer sand than just "diggers" (most loaches IME).

It will also depend on if you want a deeper substrate for some plants...or are happy with just a shallow layer of sand & plants that are attached to wood or rocks...or (goodness forbid, lol) no live plants at all.

I did a little more research on sands.

My plan for the future is if I want to go cheap, I'll probably go for pool filter sand.

If I don't mind spending, I'd probably get Caribesea Torpedo Beach. The grains are supposed to slightly bigger than PFS and it's a lot cleaner. Safe for Rays and I assume loaches.
20lbs for $16.

That's quite expensive, more than two dollars for a kilo

That is pretty pricey—more than two dollars per kilogram.  tunnel rush